Page 105 of Nails
“Hey.If you’re worried about Russell, don’t be.I can vouch for him.He is a really good guy.”
Nails just nodded.At the end of the day, there wasn’t anything he could do about it.And if Russell made his mom happy, then that was all that mattered.
They sat for a while longer just watching the water ripple and the world move around them.But the clock was ticking, and they both knew they had to get back.
Eventually, he stood and offered his hand.“Come on.We should get back before the team sends out a search party for us.”
She slid her hand into his, still holding the oversized panda in the other arm.
They walked quietly through the streets until the building came into view.
Just before they got to the door, he turned toward her and hesitated.
“You’re staying in my room tonight, right?”he asked, a little unsure.“I mean, I just want you close.”
She looked up at him, her eyes soft.“Yeah.I’d like to.”
He smiled, something easing in his chest as they stepped inside together.It had been a long night.But for once, it didn’t feel heavy.It felt like a beginning.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Bear stood just inside the doorway of Nails’ room.His arms were crossed over his chest as he bit the inside of his cheek so damn hard, he was sure he’d taste blood.
He heard a chuckle over his shoulder.
“Don’t laugh,” he whispered.
“I can’t help it,” Joker whispered back, practically vibrating from the effort of keeping it in.
The rest of the team was huddled around behind him, frozen in complete silence, trying not to lose their shit.
Sprawled across the queen-size bed, sheet tangled, wearing only a pair of black athletic shorts, was Nails, curled up around a giant panda bear.The very same ridiculously oversized panda Nails had won for Riley the night before at the carnival.
One of Nails’ legs was thrown over it possessively, while one arm hugged its massive belly.His face was half buried in the panda’s black ear.
Bear tilted his head to the side.
“He looks like an off-duty SEAL at a fucking Build-A-Bear slumber party,” Bear whispered.
“Does he think that the bear is Riley?”Playboy asked, grinning.“I mean, look at that little smile on his face.”
Snow snorted.“The deadliest spooner in the U.S.Navy.”
“I wonder how many confirmed cuddles he has?”Aussie asked between laughs.
“Dude, is that drool on the panda’s ear?”Jay Bird asked, a small smile tugging his lips.
“I can’t breathe,” Duke muttered, trying to keep his laughter down.
“Somebody needs to video this,” Bear said.
“On it,” Duke replied, pulling out his phone.
“Operation Panda Wake-Up is a go,” Bear declared as he crept toward Nails’ bed like he was about to enter enemy territory.
He looked toward Duke.“You ready?”
Duke gave him a thumbs-up.
