Page 155 of Need You To Choose Me

I run my hand through my hair. “I’m not sneaking in.” The lie slips from my lips easily, which only makes him arch his brow. “I… I went out for a run.”

“Yeah,” he deadpans, rolling his eyes. “Because you have a tendency to go out running in last night’s clothes”—his gaze lowers, taking me in—“and flip-flops.”

Shit.

I guess he had me there.

“Seriously, it’s a legit question. It’s not like we don’t know you and Savannah are together.” He stops for a moment, his eyes narrowing at me. “You were with Savannah, right?”

My mouth falls open at his question.

“What—” I shake my head. “Of course I was with Savannah! Who else would I be with?”

“Don’t ask me.” He shrugs. “I just don’t get why you’re sneaking around then.”

Great, and now I was being reprimanded by my sixteen-year-old. It’s too fucking early for this.

“I need coffee,” I mutter, going straight for the machine and pouring myself a large mug before taking a long sip.

“Is it because of us?”Daniel asks, finally breaking the quiet. “Because of me? I apologized?—”

“No,” I say quickly before he can finish. “Not in the way you think, at least.” Sighing, I lean against the counter. “Savannah doesn’t want to make you boys uncomfortable by sleeping over.”

Daniel frowns. “What’s the difference? It’s not like we don’t know about you guys.”

“True, but the difference is that this is your home, and we both are trying to respect that. It’s one thing to know that Savannah and I are dating and a completely different thing to have her sleep over.”

Just because I was all in didn’t mean everybody else was on the same page. I wanted Savannah, more than that, I was in love with her.

Did I hate the fact that I couldn’t have her in my bed? Fuck, yes. I wanted to have her in my arms and not have to worry about setting an alarm so I could sneak into my own house before the boys woke up, or God forbid, what would happen if one of them was looking for me or needed my help, and I wasn’t there. It was tiring as hell, but she was right. Levi and Daniel both deserved time to process this on their own terms. They deserved to get to know her and figure out what they wanted out of all of this.

“These last few months… They’ve been challenging for everybody, and we’re all just trying to do our best. Trying to figure out how this is going to work, and that also includes you boys. Okay?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Daniel nods, but the line between his brows grows deeper.

I decided to let it go and change the subject. “What are you doing up anyway?”

It wasn’t even five in the morning yet, and he didn’t have to go to school for a few more hours.

Daniel shrugs his shoulders. “I have a project due today.”

My brows shoot up. I don’t know what was happening with Daniel suddenly, but he was taking school way more seriously than he ever did before. Not that you’ll hear me complain about it. The end of the semester was coming quickly, and for once, he wasn’t failing, and I didn’t have to yell at him constantly that he should be studying.

“That’s good.”

“I don’t know. We’ll see what my teacher says.”

“You need help?”

“Nah.” Daniel shakes his head. “I’m good.”

“Okay, but if you need anything, I’m here.”

“Thanks.” Daniel starts toward the door. “I think I’ll go up and check if everything’s okay.”

“Sure thing. And Daniel?” He stops in the doorway and looks over his shoulder at me. “I’m proud of you.”

Surprise flashes on his face, making me realize it’s been way too long since I’ve said those words to him.

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