he didn’t send them, I have no clue who did. Jenna hates this holiday with a burning passion and boycotts any stores that try getting her to buy something for a special someone. Plus, she’s never sent flowers before. The only other person who knows where I live is my family. And…
Carter.
Swallowing past the surprise lodged in the back of my throat, I move the flowers from the middle of the island and put them next to the sink where more sunlight filters through the small window. Unsure of how to feel, I turn my back on the beautiful gesture and read my roommates messages again.
Why would I assume he’d buy me flowers? Now that I know he didn’t, I feel stupid. He probably thinks I expect something now because we’re sleeping together.
Cursing lightly under my breath, I shake my head at the piece of brownie Ainsley offers me. At least I know he made those. I just kiss her temple, grab her bag, and busy myself with making dinner.
Not knowing when Easton will be home since he said it’ll be late, I only make enough for two.
Chapter Sixteen
I’m woken up by the familiar sound of my door cracking open and letting in what little light the small nightlight in the hall offers. Cracking my eyes open, I half expect to see a little girl sneaking in wanting to curl up beside me. It’s not often she does it, but I always secretly love it when she decides she needs to be close.
It’s Easton who walks in. He quietly closes the door and turns to me as I sit up slowly, rubbing one of the heels of my hands against my tired eyelid. When I see it’s almost four in the morning, I shake my head at him. “Did you just get in?”
“Told you I’d be late.”
I lay back down. “Go to bed, East.”
“Piper…”
Closing my eyes, I give him my back. “I want to go back to sleep. You should go. I’m sure you’re plenty tired.”
His footsteps get closer instead of back tacking to the door. The mattress dips. “What’s that supposed to mean?” There’s an edge to his voice, and when I turn back around to face him, I smell the alcohol radiating from him.
“Seriously?” I groan. “You’re drunk.”
“Tipsy.”
“You drove here?”
“Friend.” His head cocks, eyes hard on my face as they study me. “What did you mean, Piper?”
“Go. To. Bed.” If he thinks I won’t shove him off the mattress, he’s wrong. I’m tired, crabby, and just want the two hours of sleep I can still get before my alarm goes off.
He tugs on the comforter that I try covering my face with. “Not until you talk to me.”
I smack his hands away from my blanket and sit up hastily. “Easton, I’m fucking tired. The last thing I want is you to stumble in here again and fall asleep for Ainsley to see. You should have just stayed at whoever’s place you’ve been at this whole time.”
His expression darkens. “I was with Jay.”
“Mmhmm.”
His eyes narrow. “We went to Divers.”
Divers? “And then you met…?” I bait him, picturing some woman there giving him the eyes. I wouldn’t blame anyone. He’s good looking and screams sex.
“I was with Jay,” he repeats slowly, eyeing me skeptically.
Scrubbing my palms down my face, I finally nod. “Okay. You were with Jay. Drinking. Again. Hope you had fun.”
“Piper.” It’s a growl this time.
“Easton,” I counter, “I would very much not like to be woken up hours before my alarm goes off. So, if you don’t mind…”
He doesn’t let it go. “I haven’t been with anyone but you since we started this. Don’t act like I’m out there fucking random women. You can’t even be jealous.”
Jealous? Maybe for a moment, the tiniest, slightest moment, I’d had ill feelings over the idea of him being with other women while he was with me. But the thing is, we’re not together. There is no us. There is no we. We have sex. A lot. Slowly. Quickly. Hard. Soft. We use each other for reasons I can only assume are mutual.
To escape.
Because it’s fun.
Because we can.
“I’m not jealous,” is all he gets from me, and I’m proud it comes out calm. The last thing I want is for him to think I actually care enough to purposefully be a bitch. “Listen, I’m just tired. I have a busy day ahead of me and am looking forward to the weekend more than you could ever know. I plan to sleep.