Page 73 of The Head Game

But he had no complaints when he stepped under the hot water and scrubbed off. The scents of the body wash and shampoo were nice and it felt incredible to wash away the grime.

After August was clean, he stood in the shower for a while and let the water beat down on his tight back and shoulders.

He sighed, the tension slowly fading from his body until he felt almost human again.

Wrapped in a towel, he shaved in front of the sink, scraping his heavy stubble away with a razor.

He inspected his face after, admitting maybe it was worth buying more of the undoubtedly pricy blades because it was the best shave he’d had outside of a barber’s shop.

The clothes fit well enough, the trousers a little long in the leg and a little loose around the waist but comfortable.

They were made of a pale gray wool and beautifully soft.

So was the sweater. It was cashmere—apparently the Arents-Gerritsen-Kulper family did nothing halfway. August was less sure about the half-zip style or the pinkish-salmon shade but he was clean and looked respectable now, so he was grateful.

Nico was still sleeping peacefully and Isa was in the room, doing something on her phone. Skylar had arrived as well and a food tray had been delivered for Nico’s breakfast.

Along with enough bouquets and balloons to fill a flower shop.

August smiled at Skylar. “Morning. How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty well. It felt good to shower and rest. You?”

“I could do with more sleep but the shower was nice,” he said.

Skylar looked him over. “Salmon suits you.”

He rolled his eyes at her, hoping Isa wouldn’t see.

Isa looked him up and down. “You do look nice in that color,” she said quietly. “I am glad the clothes fit.”

“Uh, thank you. It was very kind of you to think of me.”

Her smile was warm. “You’ve done so much to care for Nico. This is the least we can do. Let us know if you need anything else. Anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

August nodded but a wave of guilt went through him.

These were nice people. They loved their son. And August was lying to them.

He looked over at Nico, another wash of guilt coming over him.

Lying to Nico too. Though August hadn’t directly told Nico he was his fiancé, he hadn’t corrected the nurse when she’d referred to him that way either.

August had to come clean. He had to.

“Isa, I …” His voice cracked and he couldn’t continue. He was a coward.

She took his hand, “I know. It’s hard to see him lying so still and quiet. He’s … vibrant, isn’t he?”

August nodded because that was one word for Nico. August had used less charitable ones previously but it was accurate.

Nico was vibrant and energetic and charming and yes, probably a bit spoiled.

But there was a sweetness to the family’s interactions August would never have expected. A sweetness to Nico he wouldn’t have expected.

And having met the whole family, so much of who Nico was suddenly made a lot of sense.

Nico stirred, his eyes blinking open. He smiled at August.

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