Page 53 of Full Strength

I tried not to smile but when he cracked first, I let my grin show.

“Is that such a bad thing?”

He gazed down at me with a serious expression. “You know, it’s a bit more like a dream come true.”

I tried to hide my blush but knew it was no use. It felt like we were getting closer to each other but neither one of us wanted to be the first to say anything out loud. How long were we going to let this play out? It wasn’t going to be me to take that risk, even though he was probably respecting my boundaries. He’s probably waiting for me to make the first move. I cringed. We might be in this cycle for a long time.

He went back to the couch and I looked around the room, searching for a sign of what to do next. How to make this feel normal. This was the first time that he had intentionally not going home. I’d been so out of it the last time I didn’t know he was there until I woke up. What was I supposed to do?

He looked over to me with an awkward smile. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

I appreciated him taking control of the situation.

I nodded. “Let me get you some blankets.”

I went back to my room feeling a little bit like a teenager breaking the rules, and got him a couple of extra pillows and blankets. I went back out to the living room where he was sitting on the couch waiting for me.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay out here? You should really take the bed.”

He shook his head. “No, I’ll be fine.”

“No really, you’re the one that needs better sleep. You have a game tomorrow.”

“Actually, in two days.” He said with a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

I frowned but knew that he wasn’t going to cave. “Okay.”

I felt immensely guilty but if I brought it up again, he would argue. He’s the one that came over here in the first place. He knew the risks, not that either one of us could’ve possibly imagined how much it would snow in a few short hours.

If he left after dinner he could’ve made it home, but then he wanted to put Eli to sleep and then he wanted to watch a movie with me and then we actually watched another one. By the time we realized it was one in the morning it was too late for him to leave. I couldn’t exactly be upset about that. It’s not like I minded.

I laid out the pillow and blankets, just wanting something to do with myself. “Do you need anything else?”

I realized I should’ve had a guest toothbrush, but it wasn’t like I was used to other people staying here.

“I’ll be fine.”

I nodded and looked around the room. There was nothing else to do.

“Good night.” I turned toward the hall but he jumped up and caught my elbow.

“You’re just going to leave.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. “No?”

“Without a good night kiss?”

I finally smiled and looked up to him. “Of course not.”

He bent down, pressing his lips against mine before pulling away. I looked up into his eyes and nearly lost myself in them. I backed away from him into the hall then finally turned to my room. I left the door open just in case he needed something. I didn't want him to feel awkward about coming in.

I changed and brushed my teeth before climbing into bed. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep knowing he was just down the hall, just a few feet away from me. I didn’t move, waiting to hear if I could tell if he was sleeping. I had no way of knowing if he was lying awake thinking about me. I wanted to sneak down the hall and peak around the corner but I couldn’t do that. I wasn’t a crazy person. At least, not yet.

* * *

Somehow, I managed to fall asleep and woke up to the sound of Eli crying. I glanced at the clock and it was already 6 am. I jumped out of bed and ran to Eli‘s room, but Grant was already in there picking him up.

He put him against his chest and started rubbing his back and whispering to him. It was the most precious thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to freeze it in my mind to remember forever.