Page 49 of Mind Maze

If she’s disappointed at having been dismissed, she doesn’t let on. I tip my head in thanks as I snatch up my laptop. The room tilts a bit. It would have been wise to put food in my stomach before getting sloshed. A basket of mozzarella sticks hours into my drink fest hardly did the trick to soak up the alcohol.

I manage to make it up the elevator and to our suite. Dad texted me earlier to see what I was up to, but I blew him off. Until I figure out what to do about Calista, I would like to avoid him. I don’t need him getting inside my head when everything’s a fucking mess.

The suite is dark. Kaitlyn’s door is closed. The door to my room is also closed. After setting down my laptop as quietly as possible on an end table, I make my way into our room. Light from the bathroom shines into the room, but I can’t see the bed well. I kick off my shoes and stagger over to the bedside lamp.

“Dude, what the hell,” a deep voice grumbles.

I whip my head over to see Theo wrapped around my woman. He’s fully dressed, but she’s changed into her scant sleepwear—barely there shorts and the thinnest, tightest T-shirt I’ve ever seen her wear. The sight of them in bed together boils my blood.

“Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Bed.” I crack my neck, trying to loosen the sudden tension there. I stab a finger toward the door for emphasis. “Now.”

Theo glowers at me but wisely slides out of the bed. With his hand no longer on her hip, I can breathe easier. I don’t miss the fact he’s got a hard-on.

Did she feel it against her ass?

The urge to strangle him is strong. He must sense this because he doesn’t provoke me with words and stays out of my reach as he heads for the door. What he doesn’t hold back, though, is his clear displeasure with me.

I fucked up with Romy.

I can see it written all over his face.

So what? He’s ready to swoop in the first time I fuck up?

As soon as the door closes behind him, I strip down to my underwear and crawl into bed with Romy. Her puffy, red eyelids and splotchy cheeks are evidence she’s spent the day crying.

Because of me?

I feel like a total dick.

Before I can stop myself, I stroke her damp hair from her face and kiss her forehead. She smells of freshly shampooed hair and a sweetness that’s just her.

I should have been the one in bed with her, holding and comforting her, not Theo.

You’re here now, dumbass.

Sliding an arm beneath her, I pull her to me. As if on instinct, she reaches across my chest and hooks her leg with mine. I bring her closer to me so that her head rests on my shoulder and her breath tickles the side of my neck.

I like her right here, just like this.

As I toy with her wet hair, I attempt to figure out what my plans are with this girl. The longer I have her, the more I secretlywant to keep her. It’s not something I’m proud of or would even admit aloud. I simply like having her around.

She’s sassy and sexy and smart as hell.

“Did you find anything about your sister?” she whispers, voice raspy from sleep. “You were gone all day. I’d hoped you found something.”

My heart warms. It could be from the alcohol or the fact that it feels nice to have someone to confide in about my sister. Romy knows about her and wants to help me find her.

“It seems like you were close to her like I was with Bastian growing up,” she continues in a sad tone. “It hurts losing someone you love. I’m upset with Bastian, but if I wanted, I could go see him. You don’t have that luxury.”

The crevice inside my chest where my sister lives feels more hollow than ever before. I rub at the skin over my heart in attempt to soothe the ache of loss there.

“I just want her back,” I admit in a whisper.

“I know you do.”

Silence falls over us and I wonder if she fell asleep. Her hand then skates up my chest and covers mine.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out. “I was a total dick earlier. It just shocked me getting a text from my missing sister.”

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