Page 92 of Live Like Legends

I didn’t like leaving her, but I also didn’t want to coddle her. That was our problem last time she was confined to my room.

Reese saluted me and jumped up on my bed, scooting back so he could prop his back up against the wall. Before I walked out, I thought about what that meant leaving those two alone together. I was about to turn around and go to Oculus another time, but then I heard, “Are you wearing pants under that shirt?”

Dani’s laugh vibrated through my core. “Yes, you idiot, well—shorts.”

“Oh thank fuck, I did not want to have to keep my eyes closed the entire time.”

I chuckled to myself, thinking that maybe he was exactly the right person for this job.

Islid off the desk, climbing onto the bed and tucking in my legs so I could sit on my knees. Reese whistled as he looked around the room, his hazel eyes landing on me.

“How is cohabitation?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Um, it’s fine. Different than before since Ariel keeps Nick out all fucking day.”

Reese nodded as if that made sense. “You could always make a break for it, you know. Have a little explorative adventure.” He gave me a mischievous grin that I couldn’t help laughing at. Laughing felt good.

“Don’t tempt me. I’ve thought about it, believe me.” I looked at his shirt, the sea foam green color offsetting his lightly tanned skin nicely. He shifted up so that he was more comfortable against the wall and pieces of—something—flew off his shirt.

I leaned over so I could get a closer look.

“What are you doing?” he asked, cautiously.

I reached my hand out and plucked something dark and thin off his shirt. “Is this dog hair?”

The blonde angel looked down, as if he was just now noticing he was covered in remnants of a certain hellhound. Reese ran his hands down his shirt, pulling at the material to try to rid himself of the evidence.

“It’s okay to admit you happen to like the little fur ball.”

“Helikesme, okay. Itoleratehim.” He shrugged, settling back on the bed. “And I just so happen to love the fact that his affection for me pisses off his mother.”

I giggled, but then my mind went to Elise and the others. “How is everyone?”

“Good, Garrett, Leah and their offspring got settled in some house Natalia offered them, Beetee is stressing out since she has the whole Daya thing to deal with, especially with her moms here now but apparently Xander likes to whisk her away to help at the apothecary and Elise is well…herself, if that tells you anything.”

“And Maurice, Daya, the rest of them?”

Reese ran a hand through his blonde locks. “Everyone is okay, Dani. I wonder if it would surprise you to know that all of them have asked aboutyou. They’re concerned. None of us were locked away in a prison cell by our deranged ex who for some reason can’t understand that no means no.” He raised his index finger. “Wait, I’m wrong. Your boyfriend was locked away in a prison cell, but that was by a different deranged individual.”

My heart had gleamed with pride when Nick had gotten to the part of his storytelling where he’d punched Ariel in the face. I really wished I had been there to see it because trying to imagine it just wasn’t good enough.

“I can’t say I’m surprised Ariel threw him in there.”

Reese snorted. “Nick would happily go to angelic jail for you. That’s a no brainer, Dani. It was pure punishment for him being away from you.”

I blinked away from him, focusing on the soft comforter underneath me. Nick had no other thoughts but finding me and bringing me back. He was never going to settle for less than that.

I fingered the scars at my thigh, feeling how much the raised skin had decreased since I’d started using the gel Xander made. I peeked up to see Reese watching me with a raised eyebrow.

“What?” I asked, moving my hand away from my thigh and threading my fingers together, placing them in my lap.

He shook his head. “You look better. I mean Nick has told me that you were better. You heal up nicely—physically, I mean.”

I wrinkled my nose. “What does that mean? Physically.”

“All the wounds look good, that’s all.” He pushed away from the wall, pressing his index finger to my forehead. “I don’t know exactly what’s going on in there, so I felt I needed to specify.”

I bit my bottom lip, pushing his hand away. “I’m finegenerally.”

---