Page 46 of Your Secret to Keep

Laughing at Wes’ response, I step into the bathroom and turn on the shower, the smell of fresh eucalyptus slowly fills the space. It makes sense, considering the fresh eucalyptus sprigs hanging near the shower head. When I take my clothes off, I brace for the chill of the bathroom tile, but it never comes.Heated floors. My shoulders fall farther from my ears, the stress melting away. I make a mental note to find out if there’s such a thing as DIY heated floors for my little bathroom because this is amazing.

When I step into the shower, hot water hits my skin with pressure you’d only dream about. Steam envelopes me as I stand face first, letting the water rinse me from head to toe. The complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are a brand I’ve only ever used a sample of—I could never afford it. When I rub the shampoo together in myhands, the suds are soft, and the scent of rosemary and peppermint mixes with the eucalyptus.

I don’t know if I slept wrong again, or if it’s the stress from flying, but my body is oddly sore. It's like my limbs are heavier than they should be and some of my joints are slow and rough. I take in deep, slow breaths and roll my head from side to side, letting the warm air stretch my lungs while welcoming the spark of the peppermint. Back home, I never allow myself long showers for fear of what will happen to my water bill. Tonight, all bets are off. I let the water run over my skin, flushed with the heat until my fingers are wrinkled.

When I'm in my pajamas, I put my phone on do not disturb, pull the heavy duvet from the bed, and fall in. I pull the blanket up, letting my hands fall to my sides, and groan. The sheets, the weight of the down comforter, the pillows—all of it is incredible. I put my hands over my mouth as I let out a squeal and kick my feet.

I reach for my Kindle and open a fantasy series I've been dying to start. Part of me thought I'd start it on the plane, but instead, I gripped the armrest and wondered what it’d be like if we crashed about a hundred times. It wasn’t productive and my fingers are feeling it.

I don’t know how long it’s been, but a knock at the door scares me. Maybe it’s someone from the hotel? Or Megan needs something? I’m out of the bed and practically running to the door. My hand has pulled it open an inch before I remember that women who don’t check the peepholes at hotels usually end up on a true crime podcast.

Taking the risk, I open the door all the way.

It’s not the hotel. Or Megan.

It’s Brooks.

Chapter 28

Brooks

Assoonasmyteammates wanted to go out to the bar, I knew I was staying in. I kept checking the time on my phone, doing the math for how long it’d been since Lia had left.

The elevator doors open and I know where I’m going—it’s not my room. I stand in front of Lia’s door—which was information I had to finesse the front desk staff to get—and look around. There’s no one. The hallway is completely empty.

For now.

I knock on the door, matching the thudding of my heartbeat.

Lia opens the door and her eyes settle onto mine, a smirk pulling on one side of her lips. She’s wearing gray pajamas, a matching set with a lace tank top and tiny shorts, which draws attention to her legs—the ones I dream about kissing up and down. Her blonde hair is damp and wavy.

“What are you doing here?” she asks softly.

“Had to see you. Wasn’t an option.” The answer comes out quickly, and I kind of wish my mouth had held onto the words a second longer.

“Not an option? Dramatic much?” she laughs, tilting her head.

I nod in agreement and say, “No. I spent the team dinner thinking about you. About how we were on the same floor.”

She tries not to smile as she steps closer to me, leaning against the door frame. Lia goes to speak, but the ding of the elevator has us looking to the doors.

Jalen walks out, taking two or three steps before looking up from his phone.

Caught.

It’s like time is frozen for a few seconds, or however long it actually takes for Jalen to look between us, smile and step back, pushing the button for the elevator. The doors open and he mutters, “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Thought you were going to bed, Brooks.” He emphasizes ‘bed’ with a twinge of ‘disappointed dad’ and a side of ‘friend giving you shit.’ Jalen crosses his arms and grins while the door shuts.

“Well, fuck,” Lia groans, covering her eyes with her arm.

“Don’t worry about it. He already knew. He’s just being Jalen.” I try to reassure her but don’t know if this is the time to tell her I told our secret.

“That could’ve been anyone,” she protests. Her eyes dart up and down the hallway, looking for others.

I let out a sigh, glancing up at the ceiling while shifting my weight. “You’re right. I should go,” I practically whisper.

I don’t even turn my body all the way before Lia grabs a handful of my shirt and pulls me to her.

“Get in here,” she orders, her nose scrunched and eyes fucking sparkling.

---