EARTHQUAKE!!

As I headed to my room, I could smell his scent all over me. My body craved a shower. I made it to my room and grabbed what I needed. My room was on the small side but thankfully I had my own bathroom.

I turn on the hot water and put my stuff in the sink. Pulling my hair out of its bun and taking my clothes off I quickly hop into the shower. The hot water burned on my skin as I recalled what happened in the gym.

I scrubbed my neck and my chest trying to wash the memory away. What was that and why did I let it happen? Did I like it?

Tears fell down my face and mixed with the water. I squeezed my legs to my chest and let myself cry. Letting the water wash it all away.

***

I’ve loved reading ever since I was little. I first came across the library a few weeks after I moved in. The smell of the books piqued my curiosity and I’ve found a safe space to escape to.

“I knew I’d find you here.” I look up and see Shane standing by the door. His hair is wet, and he’s wearing a new pair of shorts. His tight white T-shirt left little to the imagination.

Mavy’s head peeks in, “We were looking for you!”

Devin walks through the door next, ducking his head down to get in. At 6’6” he was not only tall but massive, his hair was brown and his eyes were a deep chocolate brown.

He spots me and sneaks a glance at Mavy. “We found her, thanks for your help Devin,” Shane says.

Mavy comes and sits down next to me, “Beka wanted me to tell you to answer your phone, Shane,” she shoots him a glare.

“You really need to watch who you stick your dick into brother. What if you get someone pregnant?” she wrinkles her nose at the thought of Beka as a sister-in-law.

Shane laughs and Devin looks at me. “I don’t plan on producing an heir just yet, little sister.” He glances at me and I feel a wave of nausea hit.

“I did want to tell you that I’m going to be announcing Devin as my Beta on our birthday Mavy.”

“Gasp!” she covers her mouth and looks at Devin.

“That’s great news! You’ve always been good to us Devin,” Mavy says as she leans into Devin giving him a big hug. Devin wraps his arms around her waist.

“Thanks Mave,” he smiles down at her.

Shane clears his throat and Devin steps away from her. “Congrats Devin. I’m not surprised he chose you as his Beta,” I smile at him.

“Yeah?” he gives me a sly grin. “It’s not official yet but I’ve already started helping our future Alpha with little tasks. Just today I guarded the gym door as he played with his new toy.”

I blanch. “Ew gross, Devin! I did not need to know that. Ugh.” Mavy covers her ears with her hands.

I swallow and look at Shane. “My beta knows everything,” he says.

Great I think to myself. I watch Shane laugh and reach over to Mavy, grabbing her hands down from her ears. “Okay okay, he’s stopped now.”

She shoots Devin a glare. “Could you please keep my brothers shagging to yourself? I do not want to know who he’s banging.”

Shane shrugs, “Men have needs little sister.” He laughs and dodges her slap.

“Whatever. Just please at least wrap it up.” she pleads.

I watched as Devin lightly flirts with Mavy and laughed at their cuteness. It was clear that Devin had a soft spot for her. If it wasn’t for Trent I think there could have been something there. When Mavy and I started to yawn the group dispersed and we all headed to our rooms.

****

I bumped into Gabe on the way back to my room. “Ady!” he bellowed, wrapping his arms around me.

I stiffened, “Hey Gabe,” I replied before he finally released me from his bear hug.

“Where have you been? You disappeared before dinner.” He slurred clearly a little buzzed.

“Sorry Gabe, I needed to escape reality for a few hours. I got lost in a few books.”

Gabe wrapped his arm around my neck as he walked with me towards my room.

“Do you want to tell me why you smell like Shane, Ady?” he asked in a hushed whisper.

I hoped he hadn’t caught Shane’s scent on me when we were cooking. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask me earlier Gabe.” He smiled as we entered my room. “You’ve had a little much to drink,” I laugh as he jumps on the bed.

Gabe sits up and pulls Smirnoff mini bottles from his pockets. “If you don’t want to talk about it let’s drink about it,” he says with a mischievous smile.

A couple of hours and many rounds of shots later, I was tipsy. Gabe was laying flat on his back as I downed the last bottle. I got up to turn off the lights before jumping back into bed. Gabe screams, “EARTHQUAKE!”

Sitting cross-legged next to him I laugh. “No Gabe it’s just me.” I slap his arm. The room is swirling and I’m feeling light-headed. I lay back on the bed next to him in the dark.

My room was small but with the lights off I could see my glow-in-the-dark stars up on the ceiling. I feel my body relax and my mind getting fuzzy.

The room is quiet except for the sounds of our breathing. “Are you okay Ady?” Gabe whispers as he turns his eyes to me. I turn my head to him and look into his eyes.

I can never hide anything from him. Gabe has always been there and he knows me more than I know myself.

A tear escapes and drips onto my pillow. “Shh shh,” he whispers and turns to me. “It’s okay baby. It’s okay.”

He pulls me into another bear hug, this time it doesn’t make me shiver, it feels warm as he strokes my hair. I let the darkness take over as I listen to his comforting whispers.