Page 93 of Next Level Up
I pull her closer, one hand cradling the back of her neck. “I want to be the last person you ever have to explain yourself to.”
“You already are,” she whispers. “That’s what scares me.”
Tate’s in the kitchen when I step out of Haven’s bedroom leaving her so she can shower in peace, leaning against the counter with his phone in his hand. He glances up. “You look annoyingly happy.”
“I am.”
He rolls his eyes a little. “Gross.”
I grab my keys off the counter. “I’m taking Haven out for a bit.”
His brow lifts. “Oh?”
“Yeah. Found this gamer store not too far from here. Figured she could use a break before finals.”
He nods once, pushing off the counter. “Good call.”
“You coming?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head, turning back toward the living room. “I’ve got stuff to do.”
“You mean you’re gonna sit on the couch and scroll.”
“Exactly,” he says. “Don’t rush back on my account.”
I smirk. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He pauses at the doorway, glancing back once. “Hey.”
“Yeah?”
He jerks his chin toward Haven’s room. “She’s been in her head a little. Don’t let her overthink today.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.”
Traffic slows just past the last freeway exit, a long line of cars inching forward while the sky continues turning a dark shade of gray. Haven leans her head back against the seat. “Why does everyone in this state forget how to drive the second it looks like rain?”
“Because it might rain,” I say. “That’s enough to cause chaos.”
She snorts. “Weak.”
I tap the steering wheel. “You say that now, but give it ten minutes and someone’s gonna slam their brakes for no reason.”
“Then you’ll heroically save us,” she says, glancing over at me.
“Obviously.”
She smiles, then goes quiet for a second, watching the trees blur past.
“Hey,” I say, softer. “You good?”
“Yeah.” She nods, but her fingers start picking at the sleeve of her hoodie. “Just thinking.”
“Dangerous.”
“I know.” She exhales. “It’s weird. Everything feels normal, but it’s not.”
