“I mean, I obviously am.”
I shove Niko and he laughs, putting his hands on my forearms. “Joking.Joking.Obviously you’re the cooler one.”
“You smell good,” I murmur, still drowsy.
“I smell like wine. I think you just like wine, Oliver.”
“I like youandI like wine. Can’t it be both?”
“You’re actually telling me you like me? Now I know you’re overly tired. Bed. Come on.”
I manage to get up from the cozy cocoon on the couch and I lead Niko up the stairs quietly. My parents’ room is on one end of the top floor, and my old bedroom is on the opposite end.
The floorboards crack a little under our feet, and a nightlight plugged in low on the wall is the only light in the hall.
“I used to walk down this hall after hockey games and think about how much you hated me,” I tell him in a low whisper.
“I never hated you. Just wanted to end your high school hockey career.”
I snort. “I really would have been your friend, even back then. You were so fucking stubborn.”
“I was just obsessed with winning. I didn’t have a problem with you in particular. Well. Maybe I did.”
I push open my bedroom door and flip the switch that turns on my bedside lamp. The room is cast in a warm, dim light, and I’m surrounded by my entire childhood, all in one place.
Trophies along shelves, most of which were just participationtrophies from when I was a scrawny kid in every sport.
Framed posters from a bunch of movies.
My navy comforter and baby blue bedsheets.
“Nice posters,” Niko says, looking all around.
“Thanks. I had them tacked up on the wall for a long time until Emily told me I look trashy if I don’t frame them.”
“Your sisterandyour brother have good taste.”
I strip off all of my clothes, unceremoniously, until I’m just wearing my boxer briefs. I get into the bed and under the covers, and can’t help but groan with pleasure.
“Fuck, this bed is comfortable. I’m on a marshmallow. I’m in a cloud.”
I reach over and turn out the light, and all I feel, forrightnow, is pure bliss.
“I am going to fuck you so hard in this bed tomorrow. I hope you realize that,” Niko says after he strips off his clothes and gets in next to me. “And by the way, Merry Christmas.”
I glance over at my little neon alarm clock and realize it’s long past midnight.
“Merry Christmas,” I tell him.
The faint glow of the big Christmas lights outside the house comes in from the edges of my window shades.
Already, each time I blink, I feel like I could fall asleep again.
And Niko is behind me.
In this bed.
Right there.