Page 104 of The Heart Breaker

I don’t even bother changing. I stay in the T-shirt and gray sweats, grab my keys and helmet, shove my feet into the same boots from yesterday, and head out.

The second my bike starts up, the thought hits me that this might be a bad idea.

I go anyway.

Because I’m done fighting myself over something I want.

I pull up outside their place, kill the engine, set my helmet on the bike, and head up the stairs. I can hear voices from inside before I even reach the door, so instead of knocking, I grab the handle and walk in.

The hinges squeak when I push it open, and every head in the room turns.

My eyes sweep over the couch first, landing on Nathan and Logan sitting side by side. Those two came out in the most public way possible, kissing in the locker room in front of the whole team, but at least it happened how they wanted it to. On their terms.

I’ll take what I overheard in the shower to my grave.

As far as they’re concerned, nobody knew until they decided they were ready to let people know—if we disregard them walking in on us at the party—and I’m happy for them. Especially Nathan. He looks lighter. Happier than I think I’ve ever seen him.

I think I understand now how one person can shift something in you so completely that they change you.

That’s why I’m here.

Because I want her in my life, and I’m done pretending I don’t.

Logan’s hand stills on Nathan’s hair, the smile fading off his face the second he sees me, and I’m sure he’s wondering what I’m doing here.

I barely notice.

My gaze keeps moving until it lands on her, curled into the couch with her legs tucked under her, those blue eyes going wide the second they meet mine.

I’m sure everyone else is staring too, since I never usually come here. I wouldn’t know.

I’m not looking at any of them.

Her blonde hair spills around her face, that little line appears between her brows, and her mouth sets in a pout that makes me dizzy.

I walk straight across the room, ignoring every eye on me.

Aurora straightens in her chair, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Uh. What the hell are you?—?”

I don’t let her finish. I just bend, haul her up, and throw her over my shoulder.

“What the fuck?” she yelps, kicking her feet. “Cole. Are you actually serious right now? Put me the fuck down.”

I ignore her and head for the door. I feel every pair of eyes in the house on me, but I don’t give a shit.

I close the door behind us, set her down beside my bike, and she yanks her arm free the second her feet hit the ground, turning on me with her hair all over the place and murder in those viper eyes. It’d be more intimidating if she didn’t also look half asleep.

“Are you insane?” she snaps. “What the hell was that?”

I don’t fucking know.

“I can’t sleep,” I tell her.

She huffs out a breath and folds her arms over her chest. “And what exactly does that have to do with me?”

“I can when you’re there.”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t say a word. Just stares at me. She’s still staring when I set the helmet on her head, then swing back onto the bike. My body relaxes when I feel her climb on behind me, and when her hands settle at my waist, something inme eases. Again. Same way it did that first night she fell asleep on my chest, like my body’s already decided she means safe.