Page 14 of Your Biggest Downfall
He shook his head. “You shouldn’t worry about me, Nova. No one should have to worry about me.”
“Are you drunk?” I asked, because he wasn’t making any sense right now.
He shrugged. “Kinda. It feels good to numb the pain.”
Austin exhaled, his shoulders slumping as he looked away. “But no, I’m not drunk,” he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Not enough to forget what I saw, anyway.”
I waited, giving him space to say what he needed to.
He shifted uncomfortably, staring down at his hands. “I walked in on my mom... and Ledger,” he muttered, his voice cracking. “The team captain. Hooking up.”
Shock flooded through me, and before I could think, I reached out, gently resting my hand on his arm. “Austin, I’m so sorry,” I whispered, feeling the pain lacing his words.
He nodded, biting his lip. “She didn’t even try to hide it. I don’t want to be anywhere near her right now, so I’m staying here. But...” He hesitated, eyes flicking over to meet mine. “I don’t want to be alone either.”
There was a rawness in his gaze I hadn’t seen before, a vulnerability that tugged at me, pulling me closer to him. I could feel the tension between us, thickening with each second of silence.
His voice softened. “Would you . . . would you stay? I . . . I just need a friend.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“There are two beds in the suite I’m staying in—two separate rooms, in fact. Nothing like that.”
Two beds. A safe enough distance. I would do this for Luna in a heartbeat, so why wouldn’t I stay for Austin? He meant as much to me as Luna did.
I swallowed, my pulse thrumming in my ears. “Of course, Austin. I’ll stay,” I whispered, meaning every word.
The fire crackled, casting a warm glow over the room, and in the dim light, his eyes looked darker, more intense. I shivered as he reached out, his fingers grazing a stray strand of hair near my cheek. He tucked it behind my ear, his hand lingering, his thumb brushing my skin. His eyes moved over my face slowly, taking in every detail, and I felt like he was seeing all of me—everything I tried to hide.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
He let his fingers drift down my arm, tracing the edges of my tattoos with a tenderness that stole my breath. “These,” he murmured, his voice like a low rumble, “I love these. They’re you... They’re beautiful.”
His fingertips traced each line, each curve, reverent and slow, leaving a trail of tingling warmth in their wake. His gaze followed his touch, and when he looked back at me, there was a softness in his eyes that left me feeling exposed.
Before I could think, he pulled me closer, tucking me into his side, his arm snug around my shoulders, and I melted into him as his warmth seeped into me. His fingers moved absentmindedly along my arm, tracing light patterns, and each touch sent a shudder down my spine. His other hand brushed the back of my neck, his thumb grazing the sensitive skin there, and my breath hitched.
He leaned in, his mouth so close to my ear that I could feel his breath, warm and inviting. “You know,” he whispered, his lips grazing the edge of my jaw, “there’s about a hundred ways I want to kiss you right now.” His voice was a rough, teasing murmur. “But I don’t think I’d be able to stop there.”
His lips were so close, his eyes locked on mine with a quiet intensity that seemed to fill the room. But as my heart pounded with anticipation, reality came crashing back in.
I swallowed, forcing myself to pull away, placing a hand on his chest to create space. “Austin... we can’t kiss,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
He raised his brows slightly, and a smirk tugged at his lips as he let out a low chuckle. “Nova girl,” he murmured, a teasing glint in his eyes. “I’m just flirting with you. You don’t need to worry.”
I laughed softly, though he could probably hear the hint of nerves in it. “I’m not supposed to get involved with players romantically,” I reminded him, trying to keep my voice steady.
His eyes softened as he looked away, nodding. “Yeah,” he said, almost to himself. “I know.”
There was a beat of silence, the tension lingering like smoke in the air.
He cleared his throat, his tone shifting. “Wanna go watch a movie?” he asked, flashing me a crooked smile, and I nodded, more than ready to step away from the charged moment between us.
“Come on, Nova,” he said teasingly, nudging me with his elbow as we made our way upstairs. “You can turn me down again up there.”
I laughed, swatting his arm, feeling the tension between us lighten, replaced with something warmer, more familiar.
We climbed the stairs, and before I could think, he pulled me close, tucking me into his side, his arm draped over my shoulders. I sank into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart under my cheek.
