Page 24 of Dark Tangled Truths
“You stay up too late working.”
“I’ll set so many timers I won’t know whether I’m supposed to sleep or eat.” She lifts her head and reaches up to tip his face to look down at her. “I kept myself alive for eighteen years, Damon. I think I can make it a week without you.”
“What if I can’t make it a week without you?” The words are soft, and it feels like we’re intruding on this moment, but at the same time, we get it better than anyone else would. I’m hoping this week works out. I can’t imagine being away from Annie for weeks at a time. Trying to make long distance work will be hell on all of us.
“We’ll video chat, and you’ll be watching me.” She gives him this smile that tugs at something in my chest. Part of me still can’t believe she loves us. That she loves him.
He’s hard to love. Cam and I both know that. He’s tried to shove us away over the years, but we don’t let him. Everyone else can leave, but not us. He needs us as much as we need him.
We all need someone like Annie. Someone soft and gentle who lets us play rough with her but still comes back for more. I don’t think I’ll ever let her go. Maybe I’ll join Damon in stalking her if she ever dares to leave us.
“Go back to the others, little devil.” He rubs her back and then sets her away from him. “We need to talk before I have you on your knees.”
She meets his gaze and wets her lips. His eyes darken, but she just smiles and returns to her place on the couch between me and Cam.
“Mom and Dad are being super weird,” I admit.
Annie tips her head to look questioningly up at me.
“It’s like they finally are in love again and want to share it with me.” I shudder. “Which, while fascinating, watching it makes me nauseous. They kiss and giggle with each other like they’re teenagers.”
Annie’s expression changes from concern to hiding a smile. “That’s awesome.”
“Maybe if I didn’t have to witness it at the breakfast table.” I touch her nose. “You know who bought all that art around our house? My parents. They are very direct about sex to the point I had to ask them to stop talking with me about it a few years ago because the last thing you want to think about when you have sex is your parents.”
Annie makes a face.
“Yeah, not fun.” I shake my head. “I’ll see what days I can sneak out, but I’m sure Cam can figure something out too.”
“I just got out of the corner, man.” Cam chuckles. “My dad loves what my grades are doing and that I’m studying more, but he’s not convinced I’m taking this seriously. I have to be home some nights.”
“Then Evan can stay with you guys at your houses,” Damon says like it’s a done deal.
“I don’t think my mom will go for that.” Annie sighs. “You do know that me sleeping with you every night isn’t normal, right?”
“Feels normal to me.” Damon smirks.
“We’ll work it out.” I meet Damon’s eyes. “She won’t be left alone. You won’t have to worry.”
Cam claps his hands. “So that’s done then? Because it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had Evan alone.”
Annie flushes and looks around the room. “Should we move upstairs?”
“Why, Annie?” I tip her chin my way. “I was thinking we should play another game.”
“Then we should definitely move upstairs,” she says.
“Our parents aren’t home, little devil. Besides, games are more fun when there’s an element of risk. Like getting caught.” Damon moves to the chair and lounges in it.
Annie narrows her eyes on him. “If we get caught, you probably won’t be able to have me in your bed and bathroom every night.”
Damon’s smirk is evil and relaxed. He leans forward and looks Annie up and down. “I’d like to see them try to keep me away from you.”
She squirms between us.
“I vote fuck, marry, kill. If you don’t want to sort the people you’re given, you take a dare.” Cam rubs his hands together. Guaranteed to make us take dares.
“I was thinking truth or dare.” I brush my hand over Annie’s back, and she shivers beneath my touch. “We could learn something about someone we want to know.”
