Page 38 of Full Throttle

Cain’s beautiful eyes landed on the book, his face changing. “Yeah, I do,” he said, getting closer to the window. “But I can’t keep it in my room tonight. Mom is on a rampage.”

“Oh.” My arm slowly dropped. “I have to return it on Wednesday.” Today was Monday.

Cain looked away for a second, probably checking his hall light like I had. When he looked back at me, he asked, “How about I come over there?”

My brows shot to space. “In my room?” I asked, jerking my thumb to my chest.

He nodded rapidly. “Yeah. Just for a little bit? Maybe like four chapters?”

“Hang on,” I told him. I looked over my shoulder. The light was still out, but I needed to be sure that Dad was asleep. I hopped down from the window seat and padded over my bedroom door, putting my ear against it. After about ten seconds, I heard Dad’s bear snore echoing down the hallway from my parent’s room. A sense of excitement surged through me and I turned to my room. I had some clothes on the floor and I picked them up quickly and shoved my old dolls into the closet.

When I came back to the window, Cain was sitting on the outside of his, like he did most nights, his feet hanging over the edge, his shoes already on.

“Okay,” I called out quietly. “My parents are asleep.”

He smiled. “Yeah?”

I smiled back. “Yeah.” Then, my smile faded as I looked down to the ground. It was a long way down. “How are you going to get over here?”

“Your dad’s ladder,” Cain answered simply. I looked back up just in time to see him dropping down.

“Cain!” I shouted. Immediately, my hand slapped over my mouth as I watched him land on the ground softly.

He looked up at me, his blonde waves falling back. “Nik. Shut up.”

I leaned over the edge. “How did you do that?”

He smirked. “I’m a vampire.”

Glaring at him, I replied. “Don’t make jokes!”

My friend laughed and started walking to my backyard. “Xander taught me,” he told me.

I got a funny feeling in my stomach again. Xander always snuck out when he could, leaving Cain alone with their mom. I didn’t like that, but what the heck could I say to the guy? He was close to six foot and always looked like he wanted to murder me. I heard the latch on my back gate open and then a few minutes later, Cain came back, dragging the ladder.

“Nik, I’m going to need your help me get it up,” Cain said.

“Okay,” I said, leaning down further as he angled the ladder upright.

“Be careful,” he called up to me as I placed the top of the ladder against the house.

Holding it steady, I met his eyes. “You’re the one climbing this thing. You be careful.”

The boy rolled his eyes and began climbing. Soon, we were face to face, smiling at each other.

“Hi,” Cain whispered, his eyes bright with happiness, something I’d never thought I’d see.

“Hi,” I breathed, leaning back onto my bench.

“Show me your princess room, Nik,” he teased, coming inside.

We didn’t read four chapters. We read ten and then fell asleep on top of my bed, his hand in mine as we laid shoulder to shoulder. Hours later, he woke me up, and I helped him sneak back into his room.

Over the next few years, Cain would come into my room every single night, and as we both grew up, my heart wanted his.

Present Day. St. Louis, MO.

If I stayed in this bed any longer, the image of Sullie’s loft ceiling would be embedded into my fucking soul. Looking over to the nightstand, I grabbed my phone, checking the time.

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