Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

I move into the bedroom. I need to ease myself into it. To—

Iris is naked in my bed. It's a beautiful fucking sight.

But she isn't touching herself.

She's curled up on her side, fast asleep.

I leave my phone on the dresser, strip to my boxers, and get in bed behind her.

I only mean to hold her for a minute.

But as soon as my eyelids press together, the world drifts away.

* * *

The apartment smells like coffee.

The other side of the bed is warm. Iris just got up. We slept together without sleeping together.

I'm not stupid.

I know that means something.

And wanting to share all this shit with her…

I stretch my arms over my head as I rise. My cell is still sitting on my dresser. Still off. Still mocking me.

There's a sound in the kitchen. Humming. Iris is humming

one of those mellow acoustic songs.

I listen as I boot up my cell. A dozen excuses from Sabrina pop up in text message form. Bullshit about how she is sober. About how she's going to stay sober. And a voicemail from my dad. I hit play on the message and hold the phone to my ear.

"Walker, come to dinner tonight and we'll talk. Your sister is doing well, but she misses you. She needs your support. I know you work weekends. If you're busy tonight, call me and we'll make other arrangements. We eat at seven sharp, the same as always." His voice softens. "I love you."

The line clicks.

He thinks she's doing well.

How the fuck can someone so smart be this clueless?

I leave my phone on the counter, head to the bathroom to go through my routine, move into the kitchen.

Iris is leaning against the counter, her fingers wrapped around an oversized white mug, her lips pressed into a smile. Her expression gets sheepish as her eyes find mine. "You win that round."

Fuck, her smile does things to me. Pushes aside all the shit bouncing around my head.

I don't run away from things.

But right now…

"No." I move closer. Wrap my arms around her waist. She's wearing clothes. An Inked Hearts t-shirt Ryan designed and a pair of my boxers. "We both lost."

Her smile spreads over her cheeks. "Is everything good? Last night…"

I can't think about it right now. I need to clear my head. I need to be someplace that makes sense. "We'll talk about it later."

She nods, accepting it.