Page 32 of Shrouded in the Dark
“Thanks,” I whispered softly.
He winked at me before picking up his controller. “Always, Becca. I got your back.”
“Alright,” Seth, who was sitting on the other side of the couch, “I think we should play a board game. Anyone in for Monopoly?”
Cody and Jasper moaned at the same time. “No. No Monopoly. You cheat at it.”
“How can you cheat at Monopoly?” I glanced between them.
Seth grins and winks at me. “It’s just skills.”
“Let’s play Exploding Kittens.” Cody threw his hands in the air. “Let’s play! You know Becca will love it!”
I blinked. I’d heard of the game but never seen it before. I shrugged as they looked at me. “Sure!” Oh, I would regret agreeing to play this game.
Somehow, Seth always knew when the exploding kitten card was at the top. All of us kept getting the card but him. I was able to skip my turn with the action card twice, but otherwise, Seth won the game every single time. His smirk grew with each win. Axel, Jasper, and Cody were all sore losers. They yelled, threw their cards, and threatened bodily harm at Seth, but that just made Seth gloat even more.
It was two hours later when Jasper glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. Becca, why don’t I give you a ride home?”
“OR,” Cody spoke loudly before I could reply, “she could stay the night here. We have clothes that will fit her and we can just wash her clothes in the laundry for tomorrow.”
My chest squeezed tightly for a few moments before I took a deep breath. The guys were looking at me to gauge my reaction to the suggestion. My cheeks went red as I ducked my head.
“Um, maybe next week?” I didn’t want to tell them that I was wary about the idea. I’d only known them for two days now, minus Axel and Jasper, and I was comfortable around them, but I wasn’t that comfortable yet.
Jasper wrapped his arm around my shoulder from my left. “No problem, Becs. We’ll plan a sleepover like kids do later.” He ruffled his hand through my hair as I relaxed against him.
“Let’s get you home.” He glanced over at Cody. “Come on. After I drop off Becca, I need to go grocery shopping. You can help me carry everything.”
Cody punched his right arm into the air. “Food! I want Oreos.”
Jasper shook his head as he headed downstairs first with Cody behind him. “We’ll meet you at the car!”
I turned to Axel and Seth taking a deep breath as I fortified myself. “Thank you. Both of you, for today.”
Seth walked in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “It’s been my pleasure.” His smirk grew as my face went red, yet again, remembering our kiss. “I’ll be happy to do that again with you anytime.” He leaned forward as he whispered this in my ear.
I giggled as I wrapped my arms around his waist in a tight hug without thinking about it. “Thanks, Seth.” His body was hard but I felt like I could sink into him and stay for days. “Um, I guess I’ll see you later?” I brushed some of the stray hair that had gotten out of my braid out of my face as I stepped back.
Seth tucked more hair behind my other ear. “You will. Let me give you my number.” He held out his hand for my phone. It took him only a minute to put in his information in my phone before giving it back. “I know you have Jasper's, but now, you have mine. Text me when you’re home.” He squeezed my left shoulder before he left the game room down the hallway to the bedrooms.
I turned to Axel and smiled. “I’ll make you a copy tonight. I’ll talk to Felicity, too.”
“Thanks, Becca.” He approached me slowly. It was really sweet when he hugged me cautiously so I didn’t freak out. “I’ll see you soon. You have my number?”
I shook my head. “No.” My phone was taken from my hand a second later as Axel put in his number. Before he handed it back, he saw something that made him snort and shake his head. “What?”
“Nothing. You’ll see later.” He gave my phone back to me. “Let’s get you to the SUV before Cody perishes from his undying hunger for Oreos.” He took my art supplies, not letting me carry them down.
Axel wasn’t playing, either. When we got to the SUV, Cody was annoying Jasper on purpose about Oreos. I could only vaguely see their shadows even with the bright outdoor light.
“We need at least five boxes. I want Oreo ice cream too. We can make shakes?” He was talking a mile a minute.
Jasper noticed us. “Oh, thank God.” He moved to the driver’s door. “Cody, be a gentleman and open the door for Becca.”
It looked like Cody saluted him before offering his hand to mine, which was easy to see since he basically put it in my face. “M'lady?”
My lips twitched in amusement. Axel shook his head next to me as he said goodbye, handed my things to Cody before leaving me to their care.
