72. Hannah

SEVENTY-TWO

The body beside me shifts.

"Bed, Babe."

"Hmm?" I snuggle into Maddox.

His body vibrates with a chuckle. "Bunny, I'm too old to sleep on the couch."

I poke a finger into his side. "You're only a year older than me."

"Uh-huh." Maddox leans forward, and my head slides down between his back and the back cushion of the couch. "Except my body is fucked from football."

I push against said body to sit upright and blink against the glow of the lights above us.

We both stayed awake for the movie, all the way to the end, both ignoring the multiple times the story made me cry.

Neither of us asked, and neither of us offered up the information, but I've already watched the movie countless times on my own. And I'm pretty sure Maddox has seen it before tonight too.

But when the final scene was over, we were both too comfortable to get up.

So we didn't.

And apparently we fell asleep.

Maddox bumps his shoulder against mine. "You get up first."

I put my feet on the rug with a yawn. "Why?"

"So you can help me up."

I snicker but comply.

Standing, I hold my hands out for Maddox, and he takes them.

I almost didn't expect him to pull with his full weight, but he does, and I nearly tip over on top of him.

I brace my legs, and Maddox stands with a groan. "Thanks, Bunny."

I help him gather all the empty dishes onto the tray. He insists on carrying it, even as he limps a little.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Uh-huh." He sets the tray on the kitchen counter. When I reach for the plates, he grabs me by the shoulders and turns me around. "Tomorrow. Now is bed."

Maddox turns off the lights as we go, and by the time we reach his bedroom, I'm ready to drop back into sleep.

I quickly use the bathroom and remove my bralette, then find Maddox sprawled on the bed, his bare chest exposed.

Climbing onto the mattress, I lift the covers to peek and find him in boxers.

"Naughty girl," Maddox says even though his eyes stay shut.

"Just curious." I shimmy under the blanket as he reaches over and turns off the last lamp.

"Come here. Get in your spot."

Your spot.

He says it like this is normal for us. Like I've curled up into his side more than once before. That it wasn't so long ago, sleeping on a trio of benches in the university library.

But I know exactly what spot he's talking about.

So, I move closer, facing Maddox, who's flat on his back. And when my front meets his side, I nestle my face in that spot where shoulder and chest meet.

Maddox curls his arm around my shoulders while I stretch my arm across his chest and hike my knee up so it's resting on his thigh.

"Good night, Hannah."

I press a kiss to his warm chest. "Night, Maddox."