Page 57 of Game Point
Dylan looked down at the trophy it as if it was as precious as a newborn. She turned, stretching up to place the trophy next to the snow globe.
‘She does look very pretty,’ she commented.
I was almost tempted to stretch my hand out towards Dylan’s, interlace her fingers in mine. ‘And doesn’t the shelf already feel a little less scary?’
‘Maybe.’ Dylan took a step away, her hands rubbing at her face, her eyes tired. ‘I’m exhausted. Let’s get that airbed blown up and then you can start to make yourself comfortable.’
I nodded, letting her lead the way out of the living room, and back to our bags in the hallway.
‘Let me take that up,’ I offered as she reached for her suitcase. ‘You can show me the room.’
Dylan paused, a hand going to her hip. ‘I am strong enough to take my suitcase upstairs, you know.’
‘I know.’ I didn’t dare mention the fractured ribs and the doctor’s orders. I also tried to ignore the fact Iwantedto help her in whatever small ways she’d let me. Instead, I joked, ‘Let me earn my keep.’
She rolled her eyes, turning and mumbling all the way up the stairs, complaining about toxic masculinity, but I pretended not to hear, a suitcase in either hand as I followed her up.
She led me to the guest room, apologizing as she opened the door, ‘I’m sorry about all the boxes. I can start clearing the room out tomorrow.’
The bedroom would be spacious if it hadn’t been for the mountain of boxes, all stacked against one wall. She really hadn’t unpacked.
‘I’ll be fine. I’m used to worse,’ I said as she opened a box labelled ‘Guest’, digging inside for something. ‘It’s a nice place.’
‘Thanks.’ She pulled out a smaller box. ‘Now you can see why I’ve been homesick.’
‘With a place like this? I can understand,’ I said, ‘Is there a gym?’
She nodded her head towards the window. ‘At the other end of the garden. There’s a community tennis court nearby too.’
‘Nice.’ I stepped closer to the window. There wasn’t a lot to see through the darkness, but enough for me to make out a yard pool and the garage I suspected was used for the gym.
Dylan started to unpack an airbed, rolling it out along the floor. I reached out to help, ‘I can handle the airbed if you’re tired.’
‘No, it’s the least I can do. I would’ve offered you the actual bed, but I’ve been dreaming of my mattress since I left.’
‘I wouldn’t have accepted it from you anyway,’ I said, thinking about her ribs. I knew she was tired, knew how long she’d wanted to climb into a bed that was hers. ‘Go to bed. I can handle this.’
‘Are you sure?’ She looked over at me, a little guilty. ‘I’m being a terrible host.’
‘You are nothing of the sort. I’m the lodger,’ I smiled politely over at her, only feeling incredibly grateful for her hospitality during this surprise trip. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’
‘Let me get you some bedding.’ She left the room as Icarried on with her work, plugging in the blow up bed. It took a few minutes, but by time Dylan returned, arms full of a large duvet and a couple of pillows, it was fully inflated. She placed them on the mattress.
Dylan watched me prepare the rest of the room, leaning against the doorframe, her eyes half-closed. ‘There’s some cereal in the kitchen, if you want breakfast tomorrow.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, trying to stifle my own yawn. ‘I think I’ll be sleeping in late at this rate.’
‘It’s been a long couple of days.’
The room was barely a bedroom, but no matter what, there wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be, not if she wasn’t there with me.
I sent Dylan a tired smile. ‘I do appreciate you letting me crash here.’
Her eyes caught mine, a glint of something there. Then she caught me by surprise, her arms wrapping around my body, pulling me close into her. I hesitated only for a split second, not anticipating the forced proximity of her body to mine, but I relaxed easily into the embrace, my arms encircling her.
And as much as the hug was a surprise, the bigger surprise was how good it felt to have her this close to me, the brush of her skin against mine, her head tucking into my shoulder.
‘It’s nice to have company,’ she murmured against my shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. ‘Goodnight, Oliver.’
