Page 97 of Point Proven
“Who’s the one with paint on their fucking face because they thought it would be ‘fun’ to test my patience?”
Lev chuckled softly, his arms raising to wrap around my waist as he returned my hug. “T-Thank you guys. Seriously. I’ve never… never had something like this before.”
Simon grimaced. “You might regret that statement after?—”
“Then we have to doeverythingtogether! Well, things you haven’t experienced before, and it starts tonight. I’ll make popcorn, and we can play all kinds of games, or maybe we can do something like truth or dare. Oh, we could also go to the mall and do laser tag sometime?—”
“Can we…” He paused as if he were fearful of continuing. “Can we… just watch a movie and maybe… maybe cuddle? Is thatweird? I don’t know if that’s weird… It might be, and I’m sorry if it is. I really don’t mean to cross boundaries?—”
“Sure!” Twisting my body slightly, I grabbed the remote from Simon as I sat down next to Lev. Tucking my arm around his neck, I pulled the blanket over our legs. “Simon probably won’t since he’ll stay by Liam, but I’m pretty squishy and good cuddling material.”
“You’re classified assquishy?” Lev lifted his head to look at me before poking my stomach. “But you’re not?”
Releasing a soft laugh, I swatted his hand away. “Okay, maybe not squishy, but I’m still comfortable.”
“Dude, you literally have abs.” Simon yawned, settling next to Liam as he gently placed Liam’s head on his lap. Grabbing a blanket, he leaned his head against the cushion. “Stupid argument, so put on a movie.”
Rolling my eyes, I snuggled next to Lev as I turned on the TV, ignoring Simon. “Lev, any requests?”
He settled against my chest. “Whatever you guys want.”
Flipping through to a random comedy movie, I clicked it and started the opening credits. As they rolled, I scratched lightly on Lev’s neck, trailing my fingers through his auburn curls. “Comfy?”
He merely nodded, his breath leveling as he sank deeper into me. Pressing back into the cushions, the corners of my lips tugged upward as I continued playing with his hair. As silence fell among our group, I basked in that silent warmth, because I had everything I needed.
I had Thorne and wonderful friends who loved me. At least for now, we could relax. But I knew one thing about life: something could rip away your happiness at any moment.
That’s why it was important to cherish every second, and I would do that from now on without secrets, without lies, because these people were my home.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
SIMON
Groaning, my fingers flitted over soft skin, and I sighed at the brief touch. Rubbing my knuckle against my eye, I blinked away the remaining sleep as my other hand brushed over Liam’s face. Still tucked into dreams, I smiled softly at the stubble on his jaw and the pure innocence coating his expression. He wassleepingfor once, and he didn’t seem to be in pain.
I continued my exploration of his contours as a whiff of somethingdelicioushit my nose—cinnamon—and I knew Oren was making his famous cinnamon rolls.
Mouth already watering, the quiet murmuring from the kitchen caught my attention as Oren giggled. Rolling my eyes, a soft grin changed my expression as I knew Thorne was in there with him. He was the only person capable of making Oren act like a beaming child.
If Thorne was down here, though, where was?—
Flicking my attention to the opposite couch, Matt had taken Oren’s place, curling up next to Lev, legs entangled with his. Matt’s mouth was parted slightly, sandy blonde hair all kinds of fucked up.
Lev wasn’t any tidier, his auburn curls sticking at odd angles, but there was no mistaking that the corners of his mouth were turned upward. His eyes were also closed, basking in the comfort of this house. Most of us hadn’t had a decent night in a long ass time.
Yeah, Matt, you’re done for with this man.
Oren’s voice broke through my thoughts, and there wasdefinitelya hint of mischief in his tone. “Baby, I’m makingbreakfast.”
“I don’t care,” Thorne grumbled, his words slightly muffled. “I want attention.”
“Yeah?” A slight pause before a clatter rang in the kitchen, followed by Oren’s laughter. “I did not… did not mean to get flour on your face.”
A lengthened exhale followed before Oren gasped. “Oh,I’msorry. I didn’t mean to get batter all over yours.”
“That… that one was on purpose. It’s all sticky,” he whined, but that playful nature didn’t dampen.
A shriek followed, and Thorne laughed. “Mmm. Tastes good though. Kind of like another sticky substance I’m fond of.”
