Page 143 of Revolve
“Okay.” I drop her on my mattress, and she glares at me.
“You’re supposed to be resting,” she complains. “Lidia would not approve of this.”
“Lidia wouldn’t approve of anything we do in my bedroom.”
She laughs and my heart feels like it’s detached, floating somewhere higher. When I move down her torso and take the waistband of her shorts between my teeth, someone knocks.
Whydo I have roommates? I immediately grab a pillow and cover Sierra, expecting them to just walk in. But we wait, and nothing happens.
“Kuzum? Are you in there?”
Sierra gasps, pushing me out of the way and pulling on one of my sweats. She fixes her hair and goes to open my door. “Leyla. Ada. Hi!” My mom and sister give Sierra a tight hug.
“I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“We’re only stopping by. I made a tray ofbörek, somepidewithsucuk, andköfte. Kian’s already eating it, but there’s enough for everyone.”
All my favorites. “Mom, you didn’t have to do that.”
“We saw your fridge. Pretty sure that bread loaf has its own ecosystem now,” Ada adds. “Besides, you decided to sprain your ankle, so that’s all Mom thinks about.”
“How long is the recovery? I want to come to all your competitions when you’re better,” my mom asks Sierra. Instead of getting updates from me, my mom has decided to text Sierra, and Sierra’s mom texts me. Mom and Ada don’t stay long—Mom’s got new furniture being delivered. I offered to help, but all three of them shut me down with a synchronized glare.
“Back to bed,” Sierra commands, clapping her hands together. Both of us wince. Lidia’s claps elicit a trauma response at this point.
“Guys, the hot tub is on fire!” Kian yells from the backyard.
I roll my eyes. I gave him one job.
Sierra gasps, then pulls me gently to the back porch. The cold air is sharper tonight, but the glow from the backyard makes it feel warm. Blankets and pillows are sprawled across the deck in front of a white sheet, the projector aimed at it. Aiden’s next to Summer, Cole and Seb are cuddled with pillows, and Scarlett is holding Whiskers while tossing popcorn into Kian’s mouth.
Sierra’s gaze snaps to mine. “What’s this?”
“We never got to watch that movie.” I guide her toward the mess of pillows and sink into them. Without missing a beat, Sierra grabs a pillow to prop under my leg, but she doesn’t sit.
“Come here, Sierra,” I say, tugging at her wrist.
“But your leg—”
“Will be fine. Now sit.” I pull her down, and she lands right in my lap. When the projector lights up, Kian shushes everyone. The screen lights up withShrek: The Ultimate Edition.
“Aw, come on!” Sebastian shouts.
“Who let him pick?” says Cole. “He’s banned for making us watch this twelve times.”
“Sorry to break it to you, but some of us have high standards,” Kian says.
“You just ate popcorn off the ground. What standards?” Summer chimes in.
“That was off the ground?” Kian stares at Scarlett.
Scarlett gives a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I didn’t want to waste food.”
Kian starts sputtering. Aiden reaches for the remote and plays the movie. We watch our friends bicker, and every time Sierra chuckles, it soothes my heartbeat.
She burrows farther into me, inhaling deeply before meeting my gaze. “This doesn’t mean I’m not mad at you.”
“Of course not, baby.” I smile, letting her body find its place in my arms.
