I'm sitting on my own bed again when Chase comes back into our room. He nods. "The girls are in for the night, we all were at a meeting." He says, running his finger through his mussed-up blond hair. "Mads, I don't even know what to say to you. If you hadn't been there...again" Chase trails off when his voice starts to crack. I almost get up to console him but I don't, instead, I just nod solemnly.

"I kissed your sister." I blurt out and his eyes widen. "Not the life-saving kind of kiss. I've kissed her twice now." I rush out before he says anything else, knowing I need to get it off my chest. I'm not the type of person to go behind someone's back, but Aurora messes with my head and makes me do stupid things.

Chase's face changes from various emotions, ranging from anger to calm. After a few minutes of thought, he nods again. "Thank you for telling me―" I cut him off.

"And I intend to keep doing it." His nostrils flare but I can't tell what he's thinking, I've obviously pissed him off, but I know he appreciates my honesty. He always has.

"Why?" Is all he asks, calmly, and I know what I say next will either set him off or calm him down.

"I care about her, I want to protect her. And Chase? She is not one of my playthings, I'd like to make that very clear. I have no idea what will happen or where it's going but I can't leave her alone." I answer honestly. I don't quite know what I'm doing with Aurora, but hurting her is the last thing that I ever want to do.

I know that I blindsided him, but it was necessary to tell him before he found out some other way. If Chase told me to back off from Aurora and sincerely meant it, I would, but only if he had a good reason, and not without a hell of an argument. I want Aurora more than I've ever wanted anything. The protective instinct I feel around her rivals that of the kind I feel over my own sister, but the emotions I feel when thoughts of her invade my mind are completely unique to me, and I want to explore them as far as they will go.

Neither of us speaks and the room is silent other than our deep breaths, our bodies preparing for the worst. Chase takes a few steps closer and I tense my shoulders but don't flinch. If it ever came down to a fight, which I sincerely hope it doesn't, Chase could hold his own, but not for long. I'd go easy on him of course, he's still my best friend, and Lexi would probably hate me if I ruined her boyfriend's pretty-boy face.

He stares down at me calmly, but sternly. "I won't tell you not to hurt her because I know you wouldn't fucking dare, but you better be good to her. She's been through a lot that even I don't know about and she doesn't need you adding to that. Got it?" I nod and smile, standing up and holding out my hand. He takes it, pulling me into a hug and slapping my back.

"And I swear to god if you fuck her..." Chase stops, shaking his head with a grimace. I turn away so that he can't see me trying to hide the smirk on my face and I busy myself with finding a change of clothes in my bag. I wave him off, not daring to answer his threat in case I dig myself into this any deeper.

I've pushed him far enough tonight, and he doesn't need to know details. Chase mutters before locking himself in the bathroom and turning on the shower. The door to the adjoining room opens and Reece walks through it with wide eyes. Followed by Luke who walks in and sits down, unbothered, and typing on his phone.

"What?" I snap.

"I don't know, I mean I'm shocked... but I'm not. Everyone can see how you are around her, I just didn't think..." He rambles and I just ignore him, leaning back on the small bed with my arm behind my head, busying myself with thoughts of Aurora.

"It was so obvious," Luke mumbles.

I sit up abruptly and turn to Reece. "Give me her number. I know you have it." I order and he furrows his eyebrows.

"You don't?" He asks with a cheeky grin on his face that I want to wipe off. I stand up and loom over him. He grabs for his phone and reads off her number to me quickly and I input it into mine, immediately drafting a text.

Me: How are you feeling?

I wait for her response while ignoring Reece's teasing looks. He even goes as far as making kissing sounds, trying to rile me up and succeeding. I almost pounce on him to force him to shut his mouth when I see three dots pop up, she's typing.

Aurora: Better, thanks to you :)

Me: My lips must be magical ;)

Aurora: They're something all right.

Me: They're too far away is what they are. Why don't we just kick the boys out of my room and you can come stay here with me?

Aurora: I wish, but I have a feeling that Chase wouldn't enjoy that situation very much

Me: He knows, I told him

Aurora: Told him what exactly?

Me: I told him that I've kissed you before and that I'm going to do it again

Aurora: Who says I want you to do it again?

Me: I do. And I'll come over there right now and kiss you in front of your friends if you don't admit it

Aurora: You're kidding, right?

I read her last message and instead of replying, I walk across the hall, knock on the door, and kiss her hard as soon as it opens. I steal her breath this time instead of giving it to her.