Page 44 of When Our Stars Aligned

“They’re hot racking.”

“Hmm?”

“Hot racking. It happens in the military. It’s when there aren’t enough beds to go around, so people who work different shifts have to share a bed. The bed always stays warm since someone’s always in it.”

“Hmm…interesting. I don’t think either of them mind.”

“I don’t either. Do you think those two will ever get together?” There is no question about Alex’s feelings towards Gabby. Alex would give up everything he has for a chance to be with her. Gabby acts like she’s not interested, but you can tell she has feelings for him just by their interactions. I think she’s worried that Alex is too much of a playboy, but I have no doubt he would be faithful to her.

“I hope so,” Carter says. “Gabby is a great girl and Alex would put her on a pedestal. But let’s talk about why you had an accident with a nail gun and forgot to get off the elevator.”

“I don’t know, man.” I lean forward and rest my arms on my knees. “It’s like she’s invading my thoughts all the time. She caught me walking around in the buff the first morning she stayed over. She felt bad about it, so she made me dinner that night.”

“She saw you naked and then made you dinner?”

“When you put it like that, it sounds kind of weird, but it was fantastic.” Aly had made a pork chop dish that was one of the best things I’ve had in a long time. When I was little, I would only eat the pork chops my gram made. It frustrated the hell out of my mother. She would try to recreate what Gram did, but since Gram kept her recipes locked up better than Fort Knox, they never came out just right. The meal Aly made? Perfection.

“Then this morning she was walking around in these skimpy little pajamas…” My mind begins to wander again to the memory of her in those scraps of fabric. She insisted they covered her body entirely and even showed me that her shorts had pockets…like anything would actually fit in there.

“Dude! You’re doing it again!” Carter waves his hand in front of my face.

“Doing what again?” Wow, I really need to make more of an effort to school my features or admit that I’m feeling something for Aly. Travis’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he found out Aly was staying at my place. Then I nailed my hand—literally. Damn, I’m a mess.

“You drifted off into la-la land…or Aly Land.”

“Shit! I did? God, Carter, what am I going to do?” I rub my non-bandaged hand over my face, hoping the sensation will somehow wake me out of this fog I’ve been in.

“I don’t know. Aly is a really sweet girl. She’s the kind of girl who does committed relationships, and no offense, but you’re…”

“Not that kind of guy. Yeah, I know.”

“Though lately”—he holds up his beer like he’s about to say something profound—“I’ve noticed you and Alex have been slowing down. When’s the last time you guys hooked up with anyone?”

“A while.” I lean my head back, trying to remember my last one-night stand. “Not since Aly’s been here.”

Truthfully, I haven’t had the desire to be with anyone…well, anyone but Aly. I know what Carter is thinking. Aly is not a fling sort of gal and he knows I only do one-night stands. I’ve never brought a woman back to my place. I’ve never had a woman in my own bed, and yet here I am with Aly sleeping in the bedroom next to mine. She’s been invading my personal space, but instead of being turned off by it, I actually love it.

“Huh.” Carter rubs his chin as if he’s deep in thought. “Do you think you could handle being in a committed relationship? I mean, with Aly, if she wanted more?”

“Damn, Carter. If you asked me this a few months ago, my answer would’ve been a solid no. But now…” My mind begins to wander. But now what? Nothing’s changed. The scars from Maranda’s actions are still deeply engrained within me. That’s what I get for being so naïve. Can I put my trust in Aly? I feel like I can, but maybe that’s just the physical attraction talking.

“A leggy girl from Georgia is making you rethink everything.” Carter takes a sip of his beer.

I nod in agreement. After everything that happened with Maranda, I swore to myself I would never get into another relationship again. Now, I don’t know what to think.

“You’ve changed, you know,” Carter continues.

“I have?”

“In a good way, man. Since Aly moved in, you smile a lot more. You’ve definitely become friendlier. I mean, look at us. You’ve never come over here to have a beer and shoot the shit, yet here you are.” He waves his hand around the room.

“I’ve been here before!”

“You’ve been here before to meet up with us to go to the bar or gym, but you’ve never actually sat down and had a conversation like this. And how many times did you use to go to Gabby and Michelle’s for dinner—maybe once a month, once every other month? Now, you’re over there all the time, and trust me, I’mnot complaining. I like this new you. You’re a lot less of an asshole to work with now too.”

“You think I’m an asshole at work?”

“Iknowyou’re an asshole at work. If it weren’t for Travis, I would’ve bailed on you a long time ago. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but Travis and I have plotted your death a few times.”

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