Page 65 of Detour

“So what? It’s scary as hell, too.”

Such a big baby.

“Where’s that girl from earlier? She’ll keep the monster worm-things away.”

He plops on the couch, tsking. “You know better than that, neighbor girl. Remember? No midnight snack for her.”

“Is that an apartment-wide rule or just you?”

“Why? Do you want to spend the night?” He wiggles his eyebrows as I slip my hands inside the hoodie pocket. Then, so low I almost miss it, he says, “It’s just me.”

His tone hints at something deeper but I’m too tired to dig, so I sit on the other side of the couch from him, stretching my legs out along his. He throws a blanket over us while I try not to gawk at how long his legs actually are.

“Can I hold your hand?”

I poke my bare foot out of the blanket in front of Beckett’s face, laughing when he jerks back. He shoves my foot away playfully, mumbling something about taking his chances.

Beckett shares the story of the first time he watched the cult classic with his dad. Listening to him recall the fond memory quiets the stream of thoughts rushing through my mind and I settle in, welcoming the distraction. We fall into comfortable silence after a while. The peace it presents is staggering. Unfamiliar. Extraordinary.

My eyes grow heavy as the blanket’s warmth envelopes me. With the constant heat in my apartment, I forgot how comforting a thick blanket can be.

I’m being pulled under just as I hear a whispered, “can we keep you?” but I don’t remember that line being in the movie. I mean who would want to keep something around that only causes destruction anyway?

Once again, I wake to Coty lifting me. This time, snuggled against his chest, I notice him carrying me down a different hall. I vaguely recognize it as the hall to his room and not the one that leads to my apartment. Everything now dark, it’s hard to be certain but his scent hits me as he swings the door shut with his foot careful not to jostle me, and I know it’s his room.

“What are you doing?” I grumble.

“I fell asleep with you in my arms, I’m going to wake up with you in them, too.”

Positioned in the middle of the bed, Coty follows, climbing in behind me. He wraps his body around mine and, unable to argue—physically or otherwise—I’m already drifting out to a sea of bliss.

“Shh. Sleep. I got you.”

And stupid me, I listen.

For now.

CHAPTER 23

Angela

Coty’s lips coaxing me awake was a pleasant way to start the day and I’ve missed them ever since. He’s held true to his word of being my personal chaperone, taking me to work and picking me up. I didn’t realize what a relief it would be having his car waiting for me at the end of my shifts.

The morning tradition of the boys sending me off to school from their back balcony remains. Some days all three are out, other times only Coty is. Today both Coty and Beckett are sitting at their round patio table, watching me with grins plastered to their good-looking faces.

“Morning, neighbor girl,” Beckett calls.

“Good morning.”

“You got any errands today? I’m all yours.”

Hearing an ‘oof,’ I look up to see Coty pulling his hand back from Beck’s stomach.

“Good morning, Coty.”

“I woke up alone today so I wouldn’t know.” His expression changes to match his glum words.

I smile anyway.