Page 65 of Keeping Score

“What?” I cringe at how loud I say that, the little devil just smiles at me.

“Well, we’re not together and it would be wrong for me to share your bed.” Corvin’s laughter just pisses me off, the fucker isn’t going to be laughing in a second.

“We weren’t together while Corvin was away at camp and you sure as shit didn’t fucking mind staying inmybed then.” Corvin leaps off the bed like it burnt him, laughter tears from me at the disgusted look on his face.

“Fuck you! Get the fuck out. My sister doesn’t like you and needs to pee.” I lull my head toward him and smirk as I say.

“So, you gonna help her out of her thong so she can pee…” I let my sentence trail off, and the glare he shoots my way has me shaking with silent laughter.

“Millions of people in the world and she chooses you!” He looks back to Leah with a hopeful look in his eyes. “I’ll find you someone else, anyone else, just not this prick.” Laughter burstsfrom Leah before she hisses and grips her left side in pain. Corvin and I are on her in a second.

“Call the doc,” I snap.

“On it,” he says as he races from the room to do as I asked. I reach out and brush her hair back from her face, hating that I can’t take her pain away.

Leah

Darius insisted he be the one to help me pee. I have never been more mortified in my life than having him help me. He never commented once, even though shame burned through me. He stayed by my side the whole time as the doctor checked me out. I have bruised ribs which should heal in a couple weeks, nothing broken in my face, just badly bruised. I nearly died of shame when the doctor told me I would need to wait at least a week before resuming sexual activities.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, we should have come with you.” I clasp Katie’s hand in mine and smile. Her, Cody and Nathan barged in the second the doctor, Corvin and Darius went into the hall totalk.

“This isn’t your fault,” I tell her.

“I fucking hate that dog shit bastard.” My eyes widen at Cody’s outburst.

“He won’t be hurting you or anyone else ever again.” I turn to look at Nathan who is leaning against the wall across from me. He doesn’t have his usual… spunk on display, he looks weighed down.

“What does that mean?” I ask hesitantly. He sighs before running a hand through his blonde hair, his green eyes are hollow and plagued. I hate seeing that look on him. He tears his gaze from me to stare out the window, ignoring my question. I decide to let it go, I don’t need more shit to deal with on top of everything else.

“So, you and Darius, huh?” Cody teases. I shake my head causing a frown to mar her beautiful face.

“We’re just… friends,” I answer. A snort comes from Nathan, drawing our attention to him.

“Baby, nofriendslook at each other the way you two do and trust me, that man stares at you with hunger.” His words have a fire stirring in my belly. “From what I heard, Mr. tall dark and handsome sure as fuck doesn’t want to be friends.”

“Who told you that?” He shoots me a dry stare.

“He told Beckett that if he ever touched you again he would break his arms and make it look like an accident.” I gasp, what the fuck! “Want my advice?”

“Uh, sure?” I answer warily.

“Get out of your own way and stop denying what is inevitable. You two are cosmic. That type of love happens once in a lifetime, don’t blow it.” His words hit me hard as I hear the truth in them. I know he’s right but I just need time.

The pain in my side rouses me awake, I cringe when I shift slightly then freeze when I feel something pressed against myback. I peer over my shoulder and roll my eyes at the sight of Darius asleep behind me. I kept my word and slept in the spare room, the girls and Nathan said they would stay with me. Darius was pissed but didn’t argue, now I get why he didn’t. He never planned to sleep in his own bed. I slowly edge myself out of the bed and sit up slowly so I don’t aggravate the pain in my side. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stifle my gasp.

My heart burst inside my chest, laying there on the floor beside me on a mattress is a sleeping Beck. I carefully stand and make sure not to step on him as I try to make my way out of the room. I freeze when I reach the end of the bed, my friends did sleep in here just not alone. Katie is sandwiched between Crue and Saint, Corvin is wrapped around Cody as they sleep. I spy Nathan’s feet peeking out from the other side of the bed, and a smile breaks free. I am so fucking lucky to have these amazing people in my life. I am honestly so blessed. I slowly make my way through to the bathroom and out Darius’s open bedroom so I don’t wake anyone using my bedroom door.

It takes me an age to get down the stairs, but I manage. As soon as I enter the kitchen, I flick the coffee pot on before grabbing some of the pain pills from the drawer. I down two with a glass of water, praying they will kick in soon. My face is tender and achy today, the doctor said that was to be expected. Getting punched in the face from Gary was a walk in the park compared to this. I pour myself a cup of coffee once it’s ready and decide to head out the back and enjoy the crisp morning air. It’s going to be too cold soon to be out here, so I want to enjoy it while I can.

I slowly lower myself into one of the loungers, I snag the throw blanket off the other chair and wrap it around my legs before reclining back and sipping my coffee. I sit here silently reflecting on the events of yesterday. They were horrific and will take me time to get over, but if those events didn’t occur would Darius have had the balls to tell me how he really feels?

“I planned to tell you yesterday.” I startle at the sound of his voice. I lean forward and shoot him a dirty look for scaring me.

“Tell me what?” He pins me with areallylook before coming over. He doesn’t ask or even see if I mind, he just hops in behind me and settles me between his legs, caging my own between his.

“You were thinking out loud again, now lean back and share that blanket.” I sigh but do as he says. I’ll admit this is much more comfy leaning on him than the plastic of the chair. He absentmindedly runs his fingers up and down my arms as I sip my coffee. “Why are you up so early?”

“You wouldn’t know I was up this early if you were in your own bed,” I sassily reply. He laughs lightly, leans down and places a kiss to my cheek, before whispering in my ear.

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