Page 45 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

“Did I ever tell you I like your tattoo? It reminds me of the sun. Bright and full of life. You are my sunshine. You make me miss you when you’re away,” he softly sings.

A laugh burst out of me. “Oh, that’s really cheesy.”

“Okay, well, how about this? You are my sunshine. You make me horny when you are near.”

“That’s even worse!”

“Both are very true statements.” He chuckles.

“It’s actually my favorite flower. That’s why I got it.” I drag my finger up and down his arm, watching the hairs slowly standon end. “Why does this feel so different with you? I’ve been in my fair share of relationships, but none of them have felt like this. And if I’m being honest, it’s slightly terrifying.” I pinch my eyes shut at using the word “relationship.” We’ve never talked about what this is, and who knows what it will be once we get back to Harbor Highlands. “I’m not saying that this is a relationship per se, but you know, we’re together talking about relationships.”

“No, I feel it too. I’ve not had my fair share of relationships, but it’s been by choice. I do like being here with you. Just like this.”

I trace the colorful ink on his arm. “So, what about your tattoos? Any special meaning behind them?”

His muscles tense under my touch. “Um. I drew them.”

I glance at him, and his gaze is directed at the ceiling. There’s more behind his answer, but clearly, he doesn’t want to talk about it. “They’re amazing. You’re an amazing artist.”

All the tension releases from his shoulders. His warm palm rests against my cheek. He directs me to meet his eyes for a beat before he leans in, pressing his lips to mine. There’s no way he could be ready for round two, but if he is, count me in. Lach’s phone dings, and he freezes for a second.

“That’s right. Someone’s been blowing up my phone.” He twists to pick up his phone from the nightstand. After unlocking it, he scans whatever’s on the screen. He rips off the blanket and swivels to the side of the bed, his back facing me.

My brows pinch together. “What’s wrong?”

“There was a fire.”

TWENTY-FOUR

MY SUNSHINE

Lach

“Where? Porter’s? Is everyone okay?” Eve’s frantic voice sounds behind me as she moves to sit next to me. She tucks the blanket around her and under her arms.

“My apartment. All the messages earlier were from Rylee.” I pull up her number and press talk. It rings a few times before she picks up.

“Oh my god, Lach. We’ve been trying to reach you. Jake’s been trying to get a hold of Eve.” Panic laces her voice.

I rub the back of my neck. “Oh, um, sorry we were busy... eating dinner.” I certainly can’t say I was fucking Eve. Rylee wouldn’t care, but I’m more concerned about Jake. By the echo in the background, she has me on speakerphone, and anyone could be listening. Drawing the attention away from Eve and me, I ask, “There was a fire at my apartment? What happened? Is the building a loss?” The mattress rises as Eve stands to get her phone from the other nightstand.

“Some people at the bar were talking about it, and Jake went and checked it out. He determined that the fire was mostlycontained to the building’s north side, but fire trucks were everywhere.”

I exhale a deep breath. “Okay. My apartment’s on the south side, so maybe it’s not a total loss.” If it is, that’s all my stuff. What I’m worried about most is all my artwork. The clothes and furniture are replaceable, but fuck, the art isn’t. Living my life as a bachelor, I didn’t have much because I didn’t need it. All the major appliances came with the apartment along with a small dining room table that I use as a desk. All my dishes are old and need replacing anyway, along with my TV. From the corner of my eye, I glance at Eve standing a few feet away from me. Concern etches her face.

“It’s hard to say. But the north side is almost gone. I’m kind of glad you’re helping Eve instead of here; otherwise, you could have been home during the fire.”

Shit. That never crossed my mind. More than likely, I would have been home. “Thanks for letting me know. We’re just outside of Chicago, so we’ll be back tomorrow. Then I’ll have to call my landlord and figure out what’s happening.”

“Of course. Anytime.”

I hang up.

The bed dips as Eve sits next to me and rests a comforting hand on my arm. “All my messages were from Jake saying there was a fire.”

“Yeah.” I throw my phone onto the bed and rest my elbows on my knees, scrubbing my hands down my face. “It was my apartment building. Jake said the damage was mostly contained to the north side, but who knows, the water and smoke might have destroyed the whole place.”

“And all your things.”

---