Page 145 of Rebound
He makes a grumpy noise, drinking his water. Jules and I exchange a look which seems to say that Drew will always be Drew.
Lavinia
Drew is here now.
Roman
Get him out of there.
Lavinia
He’s your brother-in-law.
Roman
What a horrible thing to realize on this otherwise wonderful Wednesday.
I giggle, putting the phone down.
“How’s the team getting along with Roman?” I ask. I want to know if they’re being nice to him.
Drew shrugs, his eyes focused on Sabrina, who’s curled up into a perfect roll by the terrace windows. “We’re getting along.”
I look at Jules and we both roll our eyes. Typical Drew answer.
“Give me the details. Why haven’t you invited him to team dinners or anything else you guys are doing?”
Finally, Drew looks at me. “It’s not up to me.”
“Drew!” I groan. “You’re their captain. You have some sway.”
His eyes grow flinty. “Maybe I don’t want to have sway.”
I throw a piece of broccoli at him, which he catches before it hits him. “Can you please be a little nicer?”
“Yeah, Andrew. This is your brother-in-law we’re talking about,” Jules says.
Drew’s face twists like he’s going to throw up. Jules and I laugh.
As I finish cooking dinner, I try to convince Drew to persuade the guys and invite Roman to join their group chat and whatever activities they’re planning.
Roman is going to be here soon, and I still have to finish the entire set-up, which Jules helps me with. I hug her and Drew goodbye and take a quick shower, excitement bubbling in mychest. Every moment I spend with Roman is exciting to me, so I’m not surprised I can barely contain myself.
I feel more like myself than I have in years. It’s like I’m finally happy with where I am in life.
“Do you like it?”We’re standing inside the media room which has been turned into a pillow and blanket cave. I’ve laid out the blankets on the floor and used the couch to create a cover.
My hands are behind my back as I wiggle my shoulders, unable to stand still. “I thought we can have a movie night like we used to.”
A fissure of doubt runs through me the longer he stays quiet. He was quiet at dinner, too. He told me it was the best meal he’d ever eaten–which I know is a lie because he’s a much better cook than I am.
“We can do something else if you want. This was probably a stu–”
Before I can finish my sentence, Roman snags his arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his body. He kisses me roughly and with so much force it knocks the breath out of my lungs. My body bows backwards as Roman’s curves over mine.
“No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.” His words are whispered on my lips, and I breathe them in.
My heart aches for him. Roman is safe and gentle, a silence that wraps around you and never feels lonely. He doesn’t ask for more than a person is able to give. He’s a memory you hold close and smile at when you’re lonely. The world feels less heavy when he’s looking at you.
