Page 102 of Bruiser

Bruiser: I’m at your door with a latte. If you don’t want to let me in, that’s fine. Camden looks like he’d enjoy your drink.

“Oh, hell no.”

I throw my covers off, checking to make sure I’m wearing clothes before tugging my bedroom door open. Camden is in the kitchen when I get downstairs. I shoot him a glare, lest he think he has a chance with my latte.

Trevor is outside the front door as he said he’d be, waiting patiently. “What are you doing here?” I ask, ushering him inside.

“Figured if you weren’t feeling up to visiting the library this morning, I’d bring your latte to you. Hazelnut. Still hot.”

I melt, accepting the tumbler he hands me. “Do you want to stay?”

Trevor gives me an apologetic smile. “I have to get to class.”

“Yeah, of course,” I say, kicking myself for being such a sad lump that I missed my time with Trevor. “Um. Have a good day.”

Trevor leans down to kiss a freckle on my cheek before turning for the door. I slump as he heads through it.

“So, uh,” Camden says, his voice close. “He asked me to give this to you.”

I turn to find my housemate holding out another poppy. I let out an incredulous huff before looking through the front window. Trevor is already gone, the sneaky fuck.

“Thanks,” I tell Camden.

I head back up to my room, adding the flower to the vase and cradling my drink in my hands. It’s warm, smelling of bitter coffee and hazelnut, so perfect I want to cry. I savor my first sip.

Another ping has me quickly grabbing my phone. It’s not Trevor this time but the group chat.

Lumi: Doing all right, babe?

Me: Fine.

Lumi: Oh boy.

Lumi: Should I come over?

Me: No.

Me: Thanks, though.

It’s a minute before another text comes through.

Todd: Check outside your door.

Sighing, I get up and open my bedroom door. There, in the middle of the hallway, is another poppy.

“The fuck,” I mutter, looking down the hall for Todd. His door is closed, although I know precisely who put him up to this.

Despite myself, a smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I pick up the flower. I put it with the others and cocoon myself inside my fluffiest blanket. Wrapped up, I sip my hazelnut latte, the memory of Trevor surrounding me and keeping me warm.

It’s after noon when I finally force myself to get out of bed and act like a human being. I shower, dress in actual clothes, and am just about to scrounge for lunch when my phone dings.

Bruiser: Can I ask you for a favor?

My eyebrow pops up, but I reply without question.

Me: Of course. What’s up?

Bruiser: I left a flash drive at home with a project I need to hand in during my next class. Any chance you could swing by and pick it up for me? My uncle can let you in.