Chase chuckles. “No, it actually seems to be getting worse.”
“Why did you come home? You shouldn’t have been out in this weather, Chase.”
He waves me off. “I was already halfway home when it started, so it was safer just to continue slowly. Besides, it’s not like I was driving; I took a cab.”
Standing from the couch, I move to the back doors. “It doesn’t look like it will be letting up any time soon.”
“No, I wasn’t kidding when I said it’s getting worse. Vel, you’re here for the night.”
I look over and a smile is plastered across Chase’s face. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because now we can have another sleepover.” He pulls his backpack over his shoulder. “This way, bestie. You can crash in the spare room tonight, but first, we conquer Mario Kart.”
I let out a chuckle. When Chase stayed at my place the last time, I could barely operate the controller, so he vowed to educate me in the art of gaming—his words not mine. Apparently, we’re starting tonight.
“Come on. We’ll set up in my room that way we don’t have to deal with my brother.”
I follow as Chase leads the way, grateful that I won’t have to lay eyes on Dylan again tonight. But that’s short-lived when he pops up in Chase’s doorway.
“Here, you can use this tonight,” he says, holding something out in his hand. When I step closer, I see that he’s holding a nightlight. A Winnie The Pooh nightlight to be exact—what an asshole.
“You’re a jerk; you know that. Scaring me before didn’t satisfy your wretched soul now you want to rub it in my face? You’re a real piece of work,” I shout in his face.
Dylan just stands there staring at me, his expression not showing any emotion either way, not that I was expecting it to.
“Asshole.” I give him one last stare then walk back to the other side of Chase’s room and as far from him as possible. He steps in, moving to the desk, places the nightlight down, turns, and walks out.
Ready to unload about his brother, I look up to Chase, but I stop when I notice the look in his eye. “What? I know you’re not about to tell me that he wasn’t trying to be a jerk.”
Chase just shrugs. “Actually, Vel, that’s exactly what I was going to tell you.” He turns his head, looking at the desk where the stupid nightlight is, then turns back to me. “I used to love playing with that light when I was little, but I knew Dylan would kill me if he ever caught me, so I did it when he wasn’t around. Well, one time, he came home early, and you should’ve seen the murderous look in his eyes. He was angry, and just the fact that I still remember that look to this day should tell you how angry he was. Anyway, long story short, after that day, I never saw the light again. And honestly, after all these years, I would’ve thought it was long gone. For him to keep it this long, it’s obviously special to him, and for him to offer it for you to use, says that—”
I cut Chase off, “It says that he wasn’t being a jerk.” I stand from the bed, walking over to the desk and grab the nightlight. “Chase, I’ll be right back.”
I head down the large hallway. I’m not sure which one is Dylan’s room, but it’s bound to be one of these. When I reach the end, I notice one of the doors with a light shining from below it. Stopping in front, I can hear the faint sound of a television. I take in a deep breath and knock on the door.
“It’s open.”
Assuming that was an invitation for me to enter, I open the door and when I do, I almost wish I hadn’t—almost. I can’t move passed the doorway as my eyes land on the perfectly toned specimen laying before me in nothing but a pair of threadbare boxers, or at least I think they are considering what they’re showing. No wonder the guy has an overly inflated ego. Not only is he beautiful, but he’s also got the body of a gladiator.
“Can I help you?” he asks in an almost annoyed tone bringing me out of my trance.
“Uh, um yeah.” I take a step into his room, but not too far as my hormones seem to be on overdrive right now and I can’t be sure to control myself. “I was a little harsh before, but in my defense, I did honestly think you were mocking me. Anyway, Chase told me that this light means a lot to you, so thanks for letting me borrow it.” He doesn’t say anything, his eyes only glued to the TV in front of him. “Okay, well, I’ll go. I just wanted to say thank you.”
I turn to walk out but stop when he calls out my name, so I turn back to look at him, and he continues, “Why are you scared of the dark?”
Letting out a breath, I know after the way I went off on him, I owe him something. “I wasn’t always. It’s just been over the past two years since my mother passed away. I don’t know why, it just started one night, and ever since I’ve had to have a least one small light on.”
Dylan nods in understanding. “Chase’s mom gave me that light when I was little because I was terrified of monsters.” He lets out a little snicker then continues. “She told me that when the monsters saw the light, they knew it was a sign that I was awake and they would just turn and leave. When she left, I kept using it for years hoping it would do the opposite for her, and
