Page 20 of Room One Hundred and Nineteen: Watching Her

He’d already done that this morning.

My lips quirked up as my bottom scooted closer to his front. Miles’ hold tightened, cocooning me safely in his embrace. The sweet way he stepped up earlier had made my heart not only thaw, but melt. Letting me borrow his scrub pants and then his hoodie? Taking the kids and me for froyo before they went to daycare and taking care of Tabitha so I wouldn’t get chewed out?

And now getting me a heating pad?

One he had not only found god only knew where, but it was also in my favorite color. Though, that might be a coincidence, but still. Not only did he get it for me, he’d had it all ready to go and warmed up for me. And somehow, I knew as I yawned, Rick and Josh had known about this, too. It was why Josh had insisted I come in here and rest.

And just like that, I gave up the fight.

Maybe when I woke up, I’d have the strength to keep him and the other two at arm’s length? It was wishful thinking on my part. Clearly, it was obvious just how wiped out I was, because I had feeling those days were long gone.

We weren’t friends anymore.

Or at least we weren’tjustfriends.

Something was happening.

Something big.

Something that was too huge for me to wrap my head around in that moment, so I wasn’t going to try.

With that last thought, warm and safe while Miles breathed steadily at the top of my head, my eyes drifted closed, and I fell asleep a lot easier and deeper than I had in years.

7

RICK

“You talked to her?” Josh asked. I ignored him while making my way through traffic.

“Rick,” Miles clipped, and I caught his gaze on the rear-view mirror.

“What?” I hissed. Nerves I wasn’t used to crept up my neck, and sweat started to form at my hairline.

“Did you?”

“No, Miles. I’m just driving across town for shits and giggles hoping on a prayer that she’s free.”

“Fucking hell,” Josh mumbled, running his fingers through his hair. “There’s no need to be a dick,” he clipped, and I sighed. He was right

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I talked to her sister,” I shared. “Rosie said she’s home alone for the next two days.”

“Two days,” Miles repeated. I didn’t miss the way his lips quirked up. Excitement started to pulse through the car. “Two days.” Josh grinned, and I nodded.

“Did you make the reservation?” I asked, my gut clenched.

I wasn’t the kind of man who asked things he knew the answers to, and this was all shit I knew. Details I haddouble- and tripled-checked. All three of us knew, but for some god-forsaken reason, we kept confirming. Josh nodded, not bothering to play coy.

“Hell yeah, I did. We have Room One Nineteen for the next two days.” Miles whistled and leaned back. Silence slowly filled the space, each of us deep in our own thoughts. Something kept bugging me, and I hated to be a Debbie Downer, but I had to put it out there.

“You know, we’re kinda bombarding her here,” I warned. I didn’t want to be the party pooper, but it needed to be said. We needed to be prepared for her to slam the door in our faces.

“You think if we cornered her in the parking lot, she would have willingly agreed?” Josh asked, and I noticed something flash across Miles’ face. He was on edge. More than usual. He hadn’t had a moment with her like Josh and I did. His might have been an innocent nap, but I had a feeling it had been more intimate than what Josh and I shared with her. But it didn’t change how snarky he had been, which wasn’t like him. The motherfucker should have jerked off a load before we got into the car to help him relax. Now it was too late.

“What?” I asked before returning my attention to the road.

“I don’t know.” Miles sighed. “I think she knows.”

“She knows?” Josh repeated. I didn’t have to look at him to know he turned his body and was scowling at Miles. “Knows what? About us?”

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