Page 87 of Frat House Fling

“And do you also know I didn’t send those mid-day texts?” I hadn’t planned to hit her with that so early. It wasn’t her job to reassure me that she wasn’t mad, but maybe it would make her safer if she knew that up front.

“I know,” she said again. “You’re nocturnal.”

That made me smile.

“Can I walk you back to your room? I won’t touch you.”

She paused a beat and then nodded. “Okay.”

There it was again—her trust. I didn’t deserve it, but I was sure glad I had it. I vowed never to lose it again.

And then, just like that, I had to break my promise. The extra-long robe pooled at her feet, tripping her almost immediately. Action came faster than conscious thought, I leaped forward, grabbing her by her arms as she fell forward.

I set her on her feet, but the damn robe was still far too long and making her unsteady.

Oh to hell with it. I’d already broken my pledge not to touch her, so I scooped her up in my arms, cradling her like a baby.Her body was stiff and frozen for one long second, and then she slumped against me, burying her face against my chest.

I carried her through the stairwell with the utmost care. I even made sure the hallway was clear before I carried her to her room.

I set her down just in front of her door, and she turned the knob slowly. I waited until she was inside before I spoke again. “You stay in there and lock the door, sweetheart.” Then I winced at the same time she flinched—that was what Bennett had called her. “Sorry. But lock the door after me, okay, Hailey?”

“Where are you going?”

“To find Bennett.” I managed to keep my voice from becoming a low, guttural growl for her sake.

“Please don’t go.” Her dark eyes were wide against her pale face as she looked up at me. “Please?”

“Okay.” I didn’t know what she wanted, but I’d give it to her, gladly.

She stepped back, and it took my stunned brain a few moments to recognize that she wanted me to come in. I hadn’t been in her room this entire summer, and yet she wanted me in there now, after what had just happened?

“I’m so cold,” she said, her voice faint.

Looking around, I dismissed the fluffy comforter that covered her bed. It didn’t look warm enough. Instead, I pulled off the blanket, but it was strangely heavy when I draped it around her shoulders. I felt like I was handing an anvil to a drowning person, and there was no way I was going to let Hailey sink.

“Get in bed,” I said. “You’ll be warmer there.”

To my amazement, she did just that, shuffling her feet so as not to trip over the edges of the robe. She climbed onto the huge mattress and immediately curled up in a little ball, drawing her knees to her chest, her feet still buried under the oversized robe.

I spread the heavy blanket over her, tucking it tight against her. When the hell had I last tucked somebody in? I wasn’t sure I ever had.

Then I added the comforter, but it was light, like cotton candy and wasn’t likely to help her feel warm.

Hailey had her eyes open, but she stared straight ahead, seeming to be in a daze. I knelt down next to the bed, and she eventually looked at me. “Can I get you something?”

“No.”

“Water? Another blanket?”

“No.”

Then I thought of something. Something I really, truly didn’t want to say—but I did it. For her sake. “Do you want me to go get Theo or Ian?” I should have thought of that in the first place. I knew from how I’d seen them interact that they were far less intimidating to—and far better at dealing with emotions and shit.

But she shook her head.

“Okay.” I slid down to the floor, my back to her as I leaned against the side of the bed. I’d sit here, like a tall guard dog, for as long as she needed me.

Things were silent in the room as we stayed that way for five minutes. Ten. Fifteen even. I gave her space—well, not literal space since I was sitting so close. But perhaps mental space to process what had happened.

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