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The truth was that public relationships were a minefield. I’d seen it happen; the way the pressure and scrutiny could tear people apart. And if things went south I didn’t just risk losing Alex; I risked losing this new opportunity with Team Solid as well. The thought of it all made my heart ache.
We played for a few hours and gradually the chat calmed down. But the tension inside me didn’t. Every time I glanced at Alex, I was reminded of Casey’s words,‘the two of you look like lovesick fools.’
Chapter 10
Alex
The weather forecasthad predicted a calm evening, but as usual, it was completely off.
By the time Emma and I finished our stream, a violent storm had rolled in. The wind howled and rain lashed against the windows with such strength that made going outside unthinkable.
“Looks like you're stuck here tonight,” I said, half-joking as I looked out the window.
Emma came up to the window, put her hands on my sides and leaned around me to look outside as well. “Yeah, no way I'm walking home in that.” She then let go of me and I immediately missed the warmth of her hands. “Good thing we’re having a movie night in.”
I got some blankets from my closet and brought the pillows from my bed to the couch. We settled in under the same blanket and Emma was hugging one of the pillows as I tucked her into my side. I passed her the remote so she could put on whatever movie she felt like. I turned off the lights but the occasional flash of lightning illuminated the living room anyway. Despite all that, I felt cozy as I sat close to Emma. Her hair smelled of strawberriesand strands of it tickled the skin on my neck. I didn’t want that particular moment to end.
About halfway through the movie Emma had put on, the power flickered and went out completely. The living room was plunged into complete darkness and I heard Emma gasp softly beside me.
“Hang on, stay here. I'll find some candles,” I said, feeling my way to the kitchen.
I found a few and lit them. I set the candles down on the table in front of the couch. In the candlelight I could barely see Emma’s outline. She was still hugging the blanket.
“Looks like we’re really roughing it tonight,” I said, while reaching out to feel where she was. I found her arm and felt my way to her hand and intertwined our fingers.
Emma shuffled closer again. “Yeah. It seems I’ll be stuck here for the night.”
I hesitated, maybe she was still uncomfortable with the idea of staying over. “If you want, I can take the couch and you can get set up in the bedroom,” I offered.
“You’re not sleeping on the couch in your own home. I can take it,” she countered immediately.
“Do we have to sleep separately?” I asked. “I know you said you wanted to take things slow. I promise I can keep my hands to myself.”
I saw the outline of her head shake from side to side. “No, we can be adults about this. We can sleep on the bed. Together.”
That’s when Emma’s stomach growled loudly and I felt her shift on the couch.
“Em, are you hungry?” I asked. “Be honest.”
“Yes…” She trailed off.
I got off the couch and took one of thecandles with me.
Emma shuffled off the couch. “Where are you going?”
“To make you a sandwich?” I replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“It’s too late. I shouldn’t eat this late in the evening,” she tried to protest. “I ate too much for dinner anyway.”
“You clearly didn’t if you’re hungry again,” I said, putting the candle on the kitchen island. I took my phone out of my pocket and used the flashlight to look into my fridge, but I didn’t have enough hands to fish out the stuff from inside. I mentally cursed out my wrist brace.
“Take this,” I handed my phone to Emma, and when she took it I took out the salami, tomato, and bread.
“Do you want mayo or butter on the bread?”
“Mayo,” she mumbled.
“And do you want cheese?” I hovered before closing the fridge door.
