Page 20 of Further To Fall

Lexi played with the long necklace that hung between her breasts. “Well, if you want to blow off some steam after you fuel up, I’m running an event at the Roosevelt tonight. Carter said she’s too tired, but you’re welcome to come by.”

Her words were a paper cut to my heart. Not a life-threatening injury by any means, but it still hurt like aB. I had to remind myself that Lexi was naturally a flirt, and Austin was free to do whatever he wanted. I just didn’t want to witness it. I turned away and busied myself gathering up salt, pepper, and napkins.

Austin cleared his throat. “Thanks, Lexi, but I think I’m gonna hang here with Carter.”

Lexi crossed to him and patted his chest. “You’re such a goodfriendto her, Austin.”

Austin stepped out of her reach, taking a seat at the table. “Well, she’s a good friend to me.”

An awkward silence filled the room as Lexi plucked up her keys and clutch purse and headed towards the door. “I’m off, kids. Try not to have too much fun without me.” The door slammed in her wake, and I headed to the table with my food.

“Your roommate is certainly forward,” Austin said with a grimace.

Silently, I breathed out a sigh of relief. Visions of waking up to a shirtless Austin leaving Lexi’s room had been dancing in my head. “She’s harmless. She’s just naturally a flirt.”

“But it’s rude of her to try and get me to go to a party when she knows I have plans to hang out with you.”

He had a point there, but I shrugged. I didn’t want to admit just how disappointed I would have been if he had taken Lexi up on the offer.

Austin took a drink of water, and I watched his throat work. How could someone make drinking water look sexy? “Just watch yourself around her. I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her.”

I snorted. Austin could probably throw Lexi pretty dang far. “Let’s talk about something else. How was training today? You feel ready for Saturday?”

Austin reclined back in his chair, his serious business look in full effect. “I’m as ready as I can possibly be, and I’m confident I’ll come out with the win.”

“Without getting hurt, right?” I asked, nibbling on the corner of my lip.

Austin leaned across the table and pulled my lip from between my teeth. “Don’t do any damage to that pretty mouth because you’re worried about me. I’ll be fine. Promise.”

My heart stuttered a beat at the contact, and I swallowed hard. “If you’re so confident about the match, can I finally come to this one?” I widened my eyes and gave him my very best puppy-dog face.

Austin just laughed and rose from his chair to grab something from his gym bag. “Well, it just so happens that I have a fight pass right here…”

I jumped up and rushed over to him. “For me?”

Austin dropped the laminated pass into my palm and then trapped my hand. “For you. On one condition. Liam and Ford are going with you, and you have to promise to stay with one of them atall times.No wandering off by yourself. Deal?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “Deal! Unless I have to pee, of course. They can’t follow me into the bathroom, that’d just be weird.”

Austin’s brows drew together as if he hadn’t considered that possibility. “Well, they walk you to the bathroom and wait outside.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. He was so freaking overprotective, even after I had graduated from the Austin school of self-defense.

He tugged on my trapped hand. “I mean it, Firecracker. Promise me.”

At the look of genuine worry in his eyes, I decided to take pity on him. “I promise, Bulldog. Liam or Ford will be stuck to me like glue from beginning to end.” I pulled my hand and the pass from between his and threw my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I whispered into his ear.

His muscles slowly relaxed, and he hugged me back. “You’re welcome. Now, let’s clean up so we can listen to this next episode.”

We worked together with synchronized ease, clearing the table, washing the dishes, and wiping down the counters. I settled on the couch, pulling my fluffy blanket around me as Austin set up his phone and Bluetooth speaker. He sat back on the couch, phone in hand. “Here, come get cozy.” He lifted his arm up for me to cuddle underneath.

This is where things got really blurry for me. I could say “no, I’m fine over here,” but I never did. It felt too good to burrow into Austin’s side, to feel his warmth and strength seep into me. I relished these moments where I could pretend that he was mine, and I was his. I held onto them as long as possible, even if it was always painful when reality struck, and he went home. But for now, I just thought about how good the weight of his arm felt around me. I didn’t even make it halfway through the episode before I slowly drifted off to sleep.

I woke to the feeling of being lifted. “Wha?” I slurred a half word.

“Shhhhh. You fell asleep. I’m taking you to bed.”

“Mmkay.” I smacked my lips and curled deeper into Austin’s arms. They felt so good and strong, and I felt so safe and warm.

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