Page 61 of Your Pucking Mom

His eyebrow raised. “I’m taking a shower, as you demanded.”

My jaw dropped. His hands released the belt and moved to undo his pants. I should have looked away, but I was frozen. I couldn’t tear my gaze from him. However, I remembered his words on the plane, how he let his insecurities take control. Shaking my head, I turned around even though it pained me to do so.

“You probably had your pick of women at the bar tonight,” I snapped. I wanted to hurt him like he had done to me on the plane. I wanted him to experience the same pain that had torn through me when his jealousy took over. It’d be foolish to deny that the jealousy he felt earlier was mirrored in me.

When he didn’t respond, curiosity got the best of me, and I glanced at him through the mirror in the bathroom. He hung his head low before stepping into the shower without uttering another word.

I recognized that expression all too well, and the air left my lungs as I braced myself for the wave of emotions that would follow. Without another glance, I exited the bathroom and his room, then descended the stairs toward Austin’s room.

* * *

After checking on Austin, who was in bed when I got to his room, I headed upstairs. I paused in front of my neighbor’s door, listening to see if I could hear anything.

Ledger was still fumbling about in the bathroom, mumbling something inaudible. There were two things I could do. The first would be the logical one, which would be to go into my room and fall asleep. The second would be to knock on the door and tell Ledger everything I’d wanted to say over the course of the night.

Everything in my body shifted me toward my door, but my heart was pulling me here. I didn’t know what it was about Ledger. Maybe because he was the only person in my life I’d ever felt safe with. He actually saw me for who I was as a person versus what I could’ve been.

Fuck, maybe it was because my mom was coming tomorrow, and I wanted another moment to escape what would be a tough day. It was likely all of it combined that had my hand hovering over the door before I knocked.

Ledger stalled inside before shuffling over to the door and opening it.

He stood there with no shirt on and a pair of gray sweats. His hair was tousled from the shower, and he had that same shit-eating grin I loved donning his face. He was so fucking handsome it hurt.

“I—”

“You don’t?—”

We spoke at the same time, but he stopped, smiling, encouraging me to continue. “You don’t have to tell me anything. I think we both may have let some weird jealousy we have over each other win, and I’m sorry for leaving abruptly.”

He paused, his smile dropping. “Why did you leave?”

“It was silly.” I shook my head.

“No. It’s not. Tell me why.” It felt a little absurd doing it in the hallway. I fiddled with my fingers, picking at my fingernails.

“Don’t do that.” I furrowed my brows at him. “You told me on the plane you got them done to match the team colors, so don’t mess them up.”

Oh. I didn’t realize he was paying that much attention when I was trying to calm down. “Stop.”

“What now?” I snapped.

“Fuck,” he whispered. “I’m fucking everything up. Come inside.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

When I got inside, I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to stand, and I was so distracted by Ledger’s abs and half-naked body that I stood in the entryway staring at him.

“If you keep staring at me like that, Sunshine, this room might just become too hot for me,” he stated, snapping me out of my daze. His words softened. “You might melt my icy heart.”

The chair in the corner was a modest piece, its wooden frame showing signs of wear and tear, while the fabric bore the faint marks of previous occupants. I settled into it, trying to focus on the room’s decor rather than the man who occupied the space.

The room itself was typical of its kind, with neutral tones dominating the walls and furnishings. Soft lamp lighting cast a warm glow across the space, lending a cozy ambiance to the room. It was the identical twin to mine. I shifted in the seat, my eyes darting around the room. Anything to avoid the magnetic pull of Ledger’s presence.

Ledger made himself at home on the corner of the bed, his posture relaxed and casual. His gray sweats clung to his thick thighs, the fabric stretched taut over his muscular frame. Despite my best efforts, my gaze involuntarily flickered in his direction, drawn to the sight of him.

“I didn’t do anything at the bar, you know.” His voice broke the silence, pulling me out of my reverie. My cheeks warmed at the unexpected confession.

“Just danced momentarily with someone. She walked me back here because I was too drunk to get here on my own, but my mind was elsewhere.” His gaze met mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

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