Now I See You | ✓

Seventeen

As usual, I'm jolted awake the following morning by Aubin's early alarm. Not used to it after a few weeks' break from stupidly early mornings, I let out a loud groan and bury my head further into his neck. With my eyes squished shut, I desperately hope that he'll get the message and let me keep sleeping.

He chuckles lowly in my ear though, and reaches to shut the alarm off, before turning his attention towards me. "Morning, sleepyhead."

"I'd forgotten how early you have to get up," I grumble sleepily, not the least bit impressed.

He drops a kiss on the back of my head, because my face is still hidden. "I'll make you a good coffee to make up for it."

"You better."

He squeezes my hips. "You keep sleeping, then, sweetheart. I'll grab a shower and then I'll come and wake you up again, okay?"

I feel the loss of his body warmth acutely as he slips out of the bed and heads towards the shower, but I'm grateful that he's not dragged me with him, so I snuggle into a pillow that smells of him and settle for a little more sleep.

It's much more comforting than it should be and I find myself lulled straight back into a slumber, but it's not long before he returns and shakes me awake.

"Come on, Judah, let's get you some breakfast," he murmurs quietly, hands stroking through my hair.

Muttering under my breath, I push up from the bed and give him the stink-eye, even though it's definitely not his fault. I knew all along that I'd have to get up early, because that's just part of the deal of sharing a bed with a football player.

Wordlessly, Aubin hands me the same pair of sweatpants he offered me last night and I pull them on, heading in the direction of the bathroom. Once I've done my business, I pad into the kitchen as silently as possible, so as not to wake up anyone else.

It's much too early for his roommates to be awake, although I don't even know if Jaden came back last night. If he did, he didn't wake us up.

Saori, like me, is not an early riser, so I never see her in the mornings. That's quite nice, on one level, because it gives me a second to try and screw my head on straight again.

It turns out that even if I don't have sex with Aubin, a night with him still messes with my brain. Not to mention that despite my aversion to having sex right now, I still had a bit of a situation in my underwear when I woke up. Clearly, even just sleeping in his arms does the trick.

Aubin's already brewed me a coffee, which I take gratefully and fix myself a bowl of cereal.

As we sit there, eating quietly, he pins me with a thoughtful gaze and I know we're going to have to talk about last night a bit more.

"Judah," he murmurs softly. "I meant what I said last night. I want to be there for you. Please let me."

I pause the cereal-laden spoon that's on its way to my mouth and sigh. "I know. I'm sorry I've been so out of it lately. It's just been so difficult, trying to figure everything out."

"That's okay, sweetheart," he replies, his tone just as tender. "Just want you to know that I want to help you out with that."

I swallow roughly. "I think I'm still not really up for sleeping with you."

"I'm fine with that," Aubin shrugs casually. "I'm happy to see you other ways, you know. We can grab coffee together on campus, have phone calls, honestly just anything. Please don't be afraid to ask me for what you want."

The pain in my chest eases a little, because he's just so understanding.

"For the record," I murmur, a little guilt lingering for not clarifying it last night. "Nothing's happening with Ezri. I know you were wound up about that last night, but I promise it's not."