Page 2 of Choose Me

“Don’t worry. I won’t drop you.”

I’m completely confident Erik can carry me. At five feet nine inches and one hundred sixty-five pounds, I won’t tax the bulging muscles on his six-foot-six-inch body at all. I’m the smallest one in our friend group. Normally, that bothers me, but right now, I can’t complain, because I fit perfectly against Erik. I sigh and lay my head on his shoulder, nuzzling into his neck. “You smell so good. You always smell good.” A lock of his long blond hair drifts across my face, tickling my cheek. “I love your hair. You’re just… beautiful.”

Tucked against him like this, the deep rumble of his chuckle vibrates through my entire body. It’s both comforting and exciting. “Guess you’ve had enough beer to loosen your tongue,lille venn.But I’m not my brother.”

I slide my hand around Erik’s neck and slip my fingers into his soft hair. “Pfft. I know you.” I press my nose into his skin and inhale, filling my lungs with the scent of his woodsy cologne and the hint of sweat. “Mmm. You smell like you.”

He chuckles again, and I grin. I like making him laugh. “And what do I smell like?”

“Outside. Sunshine. Happiness. Safety.” I sigh and snuggle closer. “Erik.” He stiffens and our forward momentum stalls. “Why’d we stop?”

“You… Jules.”

He says my name like a whispery, moany groan, and it makes me all warm and gooey inside. “Mmm?”

“Um, you know who I am, right?”

I untuck from his neck. “You”—I poke him in his pec—“are Erik.” I flick a lock of his beautiful blond hair like that explains everything. “Yellow sunshiny hair.” I poke him again and laugh, enjoying the way his firm muscles bounce right back. “Erik.” If I could, I’d totally roll my eyes at him, but I’m already dizzy. Or maybe we’ve started moving again.

The little furrow appears between his eyes, and I reach out and rub it away, trailing my fingers along his face. “Gentle giant.” I tuck back into his neck, suddenly exhausted. “Know what?”

“What?” His voice is cautious, like he’s worried about what I’m going to say.

“I want to kiss you.” He inhales sharply and we slow again. I roll my head back and forth on his shoulder. “But you’d probably hate it ’cause I don’t know how.” His arms tighten around me as he starts up the stairs. I really like him holding me, but maybe his arms are getting tired. “You can put me down. I’m probably getting heavy.”

“No,lille venn. You’re not heavy.“ I hum, happiness practically bursting out of me because I can stay right here for a little bit longer. He clears his throat and his next words are quiet. “You... who said you don’t know how to kiss?”

I snort. “No one. Ever. Never been kissed, so I must be rubbish.”

He stops at the top of the stairs and even though his mouth is so close to my ear, I can barely hear his words. “You’ve… never?”

I make a negative noise and shake my head, which really is just me mashing my face into his neck. I don’t mind. “Not likekissedkissed”—I whisper loudly so he can hear me over the music—“with tongue. But Timmy Decker kissed my cheek in first grade. I cried and Quinn threatened to punch him if he did it again.“ I weave my fingers through the strands of Erik’s hair and have the vague idea that I probably shouldn’t be telling him this.

“And that was your only kiss?” He doesn’t sound like himself.

I search for his cheek with my hand, humming as my fingertips find his jaw. “Stupid anxiety.” I’m incredibly pleased with myself for getting the words out. I’m just so tired and words are hard. “Nobody wants me. Too much work.” His stubble is ‌surprisingly soft against my palm, and it’s soothing. “And they aren’t you.”

We step into the kitchen, and I wince as the noise level increases, voices and music bombarding my already frazzled senses. I hide my face against Erik’s neck, letting our mingled hair cover my face. He shushes me as he weaves around people and furniture, obviously knowing where he’s going. I hope it’s somewhere I can go to sleep.

When cool air drifts over my clammy skin and the music volume drops, I can tell we’ve stepped outside. I shiver and burrow closer. “There you are!” I smile because that’s Stef’s voice, and it makes me so happy. We found him.

“Jules!” And there’s Quinn. My very bestest of best friends. I have all my most favorite people in one place and I might burst with happiness.

Erik takes a few more of his gargantuan strides and then comes to an abrupt stop.

“Why are you carrying my brother? Is he hurt?”

I frown because Stef sounds worried. Stef loves me so much.

“He’s fine. A little drunk, I think. He also might have had an episode.”

“He can’t walk on his own?”

Thatis Stef’s annoyed voice. I un-tuck myself from Erik and I force my eyes open, not particularly thrilled about having to do either of those things. “Why are you being mean to Erik?” I pat Erik’s cheek. “Be nice to him. He’s a Viking cinn…” I burp and then laugh. “Cinnamon roll.” I hear Quinn chuckle, and I turn to look at him over Erik’s shoulder. “Hi Quinn.” Quinn waves and I wave back. “He smells good, too.” I press my nose to Erik’s temple and inhale deeply. “Mmmm.”

“Erik, please put my brother down.” There’s a tightness to Stef’s voice that sounds like our mom when she’s angry.

I snicker. “We’re introuble.”

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