Elite (Eagle Elite #1)(49)

I was worse than a twelve-year-old Justin Bieber fan with the fever, or whatever they called it.

My door swung open.

“Do you have access cards to every room or something?” I jumped off my bed and fought the urge to tackle a smiling Nixon.

“Of course.” He grinned in a way that said, I’m important, so there.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t see popcorn?”

“About that.” He scratched his head. “Chase was bored so…”

“The party is here!” Chase shouted from the doorway, loaded with enough groceries to feed a small country. “Move over, Nixon. It’s chick flick time and I’ve got the goods.”

“Is he high?” I crossed my arms and examined Chase’s eyes.

“No,” they said in unison.

“I’m my normal awesome self. I have had two Red Bulls though, so my bad for the loudness. Damn, I was bored. You saved my life.” Chase winked and set the groceries on the shared desk in our dorm. I always seemed to forget how attractive he was. I almost felt sorry for whoever ended up with the guy. Next to Nixon he was the hottest guy here and probably just as much trouble to deal with. Well, maybe not just as much, but close. After all, they were family.

Nixon slammed the door to my room shut, much to the disappointment of the waiting girls in the hall who were eyeing me like I was the harlot of the century.

“So…” I began unpacking the groceries. I didn’t even want to know how much security detail the guy took with him in order to obtain them. “What movie did you guys bring?”

Chase chuckled. “Well, funny that you ask that.”

“Chase,” Nixon warned, but Chase kept talking.

“Nixon here was pouting about your ruined date, and I thought to myself, wow, what would make him feel better? What would inspire him to be more romantic? I mean, cows, man? Really?”

“It was romantic,” I defended Nixon and walked into his arms, unable to help myself from being near him.

“Cows. Cows are romantic?” Chase shook his head. “I think not. And in my opinion, or that of my dear mother’s, Nicholas Sparks is the shit. Therefore, we’re going to watch… drum roll, please.”

Nixon and I just stared while Chase bounced his hands against the desk. “The Notebook!”

“Shoot me now.” Nixon cursed.

I smiled. “Hey, it’s a good movie.”

Chase smirked at Nixon. “Say it, dude. Say it.”

“Say what?”

“V-vampire?” Nixon guessed totally quoting Twilight. He put Chase into a headlock and cursed. “Fine, you were right to choose Nicholas Sparks. Good job. Too bad you can’t use any of that romance on finding your own girl.”

Chase pulled away and shrugged. “I’ve already found my girl.”

Nixon narrowed his eyes.

Chase stalked toward me and put his arm around me. “You see. I have it worked out perfectly. The minute you screw up — and let’s be honest, you’re like a time bomb — I’m swooping in for the kill.”

“Romantic.” I picked Chase’s arm off of my shoulder and stepped away.

Nixon’s eyes turned icy again as he glared at Chase. “Not in this lifetime, dude.”

“You never know,” Chase fired back.

Wait, when did this turn into something serious? Both of them looked ready to throw punches.

“Okay, too much testosterone!” I stepped between them. “Let’s just watch the movie, alright?”

Chase snapped out of his funk and smiled. “Sure, let me just get the chips and dip out. Oh yeah, and popcorn. I also got some licorice and Skittles.”

“Skittles?” I repeated.

“He wants you to taste the rainbow.” Nixon groaned. “It's one of his lines, and then he puts the skittles in his mouth and kisses you. It’s a very tired line that he can’t seem to let go of, huh, Chase?”

“Bastard,” Chase joked and went about putting our snacks together.

Nixon lay on my bed and held out his hand for me to follow him. I snuggled into his side and within minutes felt my eyes droop.

“It’s okay,” Nixon whispered into my ear. “You can sleep. I know it was a rough night.”

“But…” I didn’t open my eyes. “We were supposed to talk about tonight and why you have guns and… Skittles.”

“Skittles?” He chuckled. “What, you trying to taste my rainbow?”

“I love rainbows.” I smiled.

Huh? I must have been dreaming, because I could have sworn I heard Nixon say. “I’ve always loved you.”

“You too,” I said back, because you know, I was dreaming and it was totally okay to say that back in your dream.

Nixon’s warm lips were on my neck. “I’m glad you’re safe, Trace. Now sleep.”

He felt so good. I snuggled as close as I could and tucked my head into the crook of his arm. It was an amazing dream, being in his arms, being at peace.

****

The sound of my alarm jolted me awake. Almost falling off my bed, I stared at my phone. Who plugged it in?

I had a text from Nixon. Wait, Nixon? Where was he?

SET YOUR ALARM FOR SEVEN JUST IN CASE YOUR OLD MAN WAS COMING EARLY. CLEANED UP SNACKS BUT CHASE WANTED TO LEAVE YOU THE SKITTLES. USE THEM WISELY! HAVE FUN TODAY PLEASE BE SAFE.