My Ex’s Roommates: Chapter 64

“Could we maybe just watch a movie or something?” I was overwhelmed with my feelings. Being alone with the guys suddenly felt huge and like everything was on the line.

“Sure.” Dylan stood up and eased me to my feet. “Come on. I’ll even let you pick the movie.”

Silas beat us to the living room and settled in the middle of the couch facing the TV. Opening his arms, he nodded towards his lap. “Come here, princess.”

My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I sat in his lap and felt his arms go around me. Carter and Dylan sat on either side of us and it was like the previous two weeks of hell hadn’t happened. I just nodded to the first movie Dylan scrolled past and then I stared unseeing at the TV while my body slowly relaxed.

I was riddled with questions. Could we really just go back to how things were? Would things be okay again? What did they expect from me? What did I want? Would I ever trust them again? They all quieted when Silas held me tighter.

Carter pulled my legs into his lap and rested his hands on my ankles and I found myself so relaxed that I was struggling to keep my eyes open. For the first time in two weeks the world didn’t feel like it was ending. I knew we’d have to talk and make things right but my guys were holding me tight right then.

I fell asleep with my head on Silas’ chest and only woke up for a few minutes when I felt him pick me up. He carried me upstairs and when he put me down his scent engulfed me. His bed. I smiled and curled up on my side, happy to hug his pillow tight. When I felt them climb into bed and wrap themselves around me I let out a sigh, letting go of whatever tension was still in me that night.

I passed out and didn’t budge until late the next morning. The sun was shining in through Silas’ windows so bright that I rolled to my other side to get away from it. Reaching out, I felt nothing but an empty bed and panicked that I’d dreamt the night before. For a few seconds, the possibility that nothing had changed crushed me. I couldn’t do another day of misery without my guys.

“Princess?” Silas’ voice was still husky with sleep as he leaned forward and braced his hands on the bed to stare down at me. “You okay?”

I opened my eyes and whimpered before grabbing him and dragging him down to me. Wrapping myself around him, I held him tight. “I was scared I’d dreamt last night up and I was going to wake up in my room again, all alone.”

He settled his body over mine and peppered kisses over my face. “No more waking up alone, princess. No more hiding from us.”

When his lips pressed to mine I felt a jolt of fire surge through my frozen body. Tangling my hands in his hair and widening my thighs so I could hold him tight, I kissed him back harder. I felt him harden against my core and moaned into his lips. “I need you.”

Silas groaned and pressed his forehead to mine. “You wanted to take things slow, princess. I might still throw caution to the wind but I’m already late for practice. Coach is going to murder me. It would definitely soften the blow if I brought his favorite person with me.”

I bit my lip and took a deep breath. “Okay.”

He sat up and squeezed my thighs. “Really?”

I had to start living again. That and I wasn’t willing to be alone again, not yet. “Really.”

He kissed me hard and then dragged me out of bed. “Thank you, Harper. For giving us another chance and for so much more. I love you. You know that, right?”

It was silly but I blushed. Standing in front of him, both of us in our bare feet and running late for practice, I felt my heart race and my palms sweat. He loved me. I waited for the doubt to hit but it didn’t. He loved me. I smiled up at him and nodded. “I lov-”

He pressed his fingers to my lips. “Not yet. Not until I deserve it.”

“You-”

“I have a lot to make up to you, princess. We all do and we’re going to make it right. Don’t tell us yet. Let us show you that you’re making the right choice first.” He kissed me and then eased me towards the door. “Get dressed, baby.”

I didn’t tell him that I already knew I was making the right choice or that a part of me felt like I had some things to make up to them, too. I was ready to move on. “Silas?”

He smiled back at me. “Yeah?”

I grinned, knowing I was going against his silly new rule. “I love you.”

He growled and tried to grab me but I slipped away from his grip and out of the room. “Dammit, Harper!”

“I’m not sorry!”

He was still pretending to be grumpy at me when we parked outside of the stadium and walked inside. “You can’t just forgive us that easily. Make us work a little for it, princess. I can’t believe I’m having to tell you not to just forgive us instantaneously.”

I held his hand tighter as we got closer to the field. No matter how much the football guys had been good to me, I was still terrified about being around people again. The thought of the group of guys who’d attacked me sent a shudder through me but I fought through it.

“It’s okay, princess. I’m right here.” Silas bent down and kissed me. “Look at me. No one is going to hurt you again. I promise you, Harper. I will protect you with everything I am and I’ll spend forever making sure you know how fucking special you are. I love you. I love you enough to take on the world for you, princess. I won’t have to here, though. These guys care about you, too.”

“I’m sorry it took my brothers to get me out of hiding.” I looked down and blew out a deep breath. “I was scared.”

“Don’t apologize, Harper. You have nothing to apologize for.” He tipped my face up to his again and gently kissed me. “Tell me again.”

My lips tilted up into a smile against his. “I love you.”

“You’re fucking late, Silas! Get your ass on this field, right now! What the hell are you doing in there, standing around? Get- Monroe? Is that you?” Coach Hogan let out a loud whoop and threw his hat in the air. “Thank fuck! Get your ass out here, Harper Monroe, and get back to work!”

Silas groaned. “Told you. He likes you so much more than he likes us.”

Walking out onto the field was like going home again. I loved the turf underfoot and the lights overhead. The metal stands on every side, the scent of sweat in the air, it was all a special kind of home. I was so busy enjoying the grass that it took me a few seconds to realize a small stampede of men in pads were running at me.

“Good grief.” Silas grunted. “This is embarrassing.”

Vance got to me first. He wrapped me in a hug and spun me around. “Harper! It’s about fucking time! We need you, woman. Coach hates us without you.”

After I’d been passed around by more of the team, I was plopped down in front of Coach Hogan. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Good to have you back, kid. Next time I see you letting a bunch of bullies get to you, I’ll kick your ass myself. You’re too good for them and you know it. Now, get to work. These guys have been fucking awful lately.”