Page 66 of Split You Open

“You got something in mind?” Rhett asks curiously.

I smirk. “Yeah, actually, I do.”

An hour later, the couches and two recliners have been pushed to the perimeter of the living room. Two mattresses have been brought down and lay out in the middle of the space with blankets and pillows having been strewn over top of them.

I toss popcorn into my mouth as I flip through the different movie options while studiously ignoring the two guys making out beside me.

Apparently, any subtly these two were clinging two before Blair and Rhett took off is now out the door. Not that I mind. I just wish Santi would stop annoying me by trying to weave his fingers with mine. I know he’s doing it on purpose to mess with me, so I do my best not to rise to the bait.

“Hm, it smells good down here.”

I look over my shoulder to find Blair slipping into the room. Dressed in just my sweatshirt that hangs half-way down her thighs, she looks… alive. There’s a little hint of color in her cheeks beneath her pretty brown skin and there’s warmth in her eyes as she lowers herself onto the mattress and crawls over to me.

Smiling, I hand her the popcorn bowl. Blair takes it eagerly.

“That looks good on you,” I tell her, drinking in the sight of her bare legs as she stretches them out before us.

She smiles. “You don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” I assure her. “I like seeing you in my clothes.”

“I like wearing your stuff, it smells like you.”

My heart swells and a balloon of pride swells in my chest. “You can wear my clothes whenever you⁠—”

“You can wear mine too if you want!” Santi interrupts as Rhett rolls off him and they both sit up.

Rhett rolls his eyes. “Most of your clothes are at your house.”

“I’ll just bring them all here.”

Blair laughs softly, the sound easy. I didn’t realize how much I’ve been worrying about her until now. It’s a relief that she can remember to find joy despite the ugly in our world right now.

“I’ll wear your clothes, too,” she promises. Shooting a glance at Rhett, she adds, “Don’t be surprised if you find a shirt or two missing as well.”

Inwardly, I sigh. I was afraid the tension between the two of them from this morning would linger but clearly that’s not something I have to worry about anymore.

Rhett groans. “Great, between you and Santi—who, I will add, already steals my shit—I’m going to end up walking around here naked.”

“I don’t think anyone would mind, mi amado,” Santi says happily.

I hold up a hand. “No, no. Don’t speak for all of us. I definitely would mind. I’ll find all the clothes these two hoard and give them back if that’s what it takes from seeing your cock swinging around these halls.”

Blair laughs and Santi immediately promises to re-steal everything if that is the case.

The four of us continue to talk. There’s laughter and bickering, serious conversation about non-serious things like what the best amusement park of all time is or which Bond actor was the best. As we chat, a knot in my chest begins to ease. The stress of everything is pushed aside and I find myself being able to breathe and smile and laugh easily.

It’s like nothing matters except right here and now.

Sixteen

Blair

Iwake to the feeling of callused hands lightly sliding up my legs. The room is still lit with the glow of the television but it’s just the screen saver; the movie has been over a long time by now.

My body tenses and my heart slams against my ribs. Fuck. Danger. My eyes fly open and I start to sit up but stop when I see who’s crouched by my exposed feet.

“Cariño,” Santi groans. “I need you.”