Page 87 of Changing Lanes

Knowing I shouldn’t like waking up next to her doesn’t change the fact that I do. And she does help with the nightmares.

That’s what I tell myself as my feet hook right.

CHAPTER 20

Paige

I have to stop waking up in Beckett’s bed. He’s going to get the wrong idea soon. Though I will admit his room is much more comfortable than mine. Where his is lived-in and welcoming, mine is cold and blank, void of anything personal of my own. I don’t mind because I don’t spend much time in there, even less since I’ve started squatting in Beckett’s, but I do miss my old place. My room was comfy and cozy and had my personality all over it with trinkets from each of my brothers over the years along with framed pictures from our many family escapades.

Last night would’ve been frame worthy. Well, the parts after the volatile dinner anyway. Family are the only people that can get under your skin like a bad rash but also soothe the irritation away like it was never there to begin with. I love those boys so much but they can push my buttons like no other. Each of them apologized and promised to try harder with Mom after being guilted into being better sons. Jerks.

Then, I was so excited to find out I’ll be an aunt soon that I eased up on my emotionally immature brothers more than I probably should’ve, but it’s hard. It’s hard being the baby in a family of egotistical assholes while feeling like you’re the only adult. Which, being an adult is its own shitty charade, by the way.

Beckett’s still fast asleep next to me, so I look around one last time before I can slip back to my barren room. Posters cover almost every square inch of Beckett’s walls, from concerts to barely-dressed models to sweet rides. A small, yet neat desk sits below the window with a laptop open to what looks like a Pinterest browser. I strain my eyes but can’t make out what he was searching for from the bed. The bed I need to leave but don’t want to part ways with just yet.

No matter how I ended up here last night, I can’t keep letting myself into his room while he’s sleeping. Which now that I think about it, how did I end up in Beckett’s room? The last thing I remember is talking with him on the couch before passing out. Did he take me to my room then I came in here later? He wouldn’t have brought me in here himself, would he?

Pulling the bulky striped comforter down, I scan Beckett’s peaceful face. The same face that was buried between my legs not once but twice yesterday.

I groan, covering my eyes with an arm. How did I let that happen?

I know. With his stupid beautiful face and his stupid beautiful smile with the wicked delicious mouth that was dirtier and bossier than I anticipated.

I feel my cheeks heat and know it’s time to leave before I do something stupid. Again.

The mattress shifts as I drop a leg over the edge, but Beckett’s large arm circles my waist, catching me in one smooth motion.

“Where are you going?”

His sultry timbre glides across my skin as he pulls me in close, inhaling where my neck meets my shoulder. My entire scalp tingles.

“To my own room?”

Something about that ruses him and he releases me to jump from the bed the next second. I watch him through wide eyes as he runs his hands through his messy hair.

“Don’t move,” he stresses before leaving the room.

Okay.

A few minutes later, he returns with something small pinched between his fingers and his other hand behind his back.

“You’re creeping me out. What the hell are you doing? And can I put my pants on first?”

One side of his mouth tips into a sexy smirk. “My answer to that question will always be no. You should never wear pants again as far as I’m concerned.”

His eyes scan my half-clothed body. Not only is Beckett’s bedding thick as hell, but I don’t like feeling restricted when I sleep. A girl needs some air.

“Here.”

I catch what he tosses at me and inspect the item, turning it over in my hand and cocking my head.

“A brake pad?”

“I changed your rear brake. That’s the old one.” He nods at the heavily-worn pad I’m holding. “And I installed a new battery along with a manual CCT. Your bike is as good as new. Better than new actually.”

My jaw drops making Beckett chuckle.

A cupcake with a single lit candle is presented to me next.