Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother Chapter 75

When I wake up, it’s slow and heavy, like I’ve been dreaming underwater. My body feels like warm dough, soft and stretched from all the walking and laughing and adrenaline from last night. I blink at the ceiling, groggy, my brain foggy and syrup-slow—then realize something is... off.

It’s too quiet.

Too bright.

Too late.

I bolt upright, heart skipping a beat, and the hoodie I'm wearing shifts around me like a tent. Asher’s hoodie. Still on me. His scent—clean soap, dark coffee, something warm and earthy—floods my senses all over again.

I look around the room. No Tyler. No Asher. I’m alone.

And I slept in.

Still groggy, I shuffle downstairs, hair an absolute bird’s nest and my shorts peeking out beneath the oversized hoodie like a secret. I hear voices and soft clinks. Laughter, low and easy.

I step into the kitchen and see them both—Tyler and Asher—perched at the counter like it’s some kind of sitcom moment. Both sipping coffee, both halfway through bowls of cereal, both entirely too awake.

“Morning,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes.

Tyler immediately grins, kisses me on the forehead, and points at my outfit. “Babe, you look like you stole his entire wardrobe. That hoodie is like... four sizes too big.”

I yawn, tugging at the sleeve that drowns my hand. “It’s comfortable.”

Asher doesn’t say anything, just lifts his mug and gives me the smallest smirk, one of those barely-there things that makes me feel more awake than the coffee ever could.

He slides a mug of coffee in front of me without a word.

I sip. Hot. Strong. Perfect.

And then I glance at the clock on the microwave and nearly die.

“Wait—what? Is it really ten?!”

Tyler nods, mouth full of cereal. “Yeah, I was starting to wonder if you were okay in there. You never sleep in like this.”

Asher lifts an eyebrow. “Why is that a big deal?”

I blow out a breath. “Because the last time I slept this late I was, like, nine and had the flu.”

Tyler snorts. “Guess you were overdue.”

I sip my coffee again and lean against the counter, savoring the warmth.

“Oh well,” I sigh. “Might as well take advantage of it while I can. Starting Monday, my social life is basically over.”

Tyler frowns, suddenly not joking anymore. “What do you mean?”

I set my mug down and wave a hand toward the living room where I left the stack of rehearsal paperwork. “I skimmed the schedule last night. It’s insane. Morning rehearsals before class some days, and then evening ones that run past midnight on others.”

I laugh a little, but it’s tight, bracing. “It’s intense.”

Tyler’s frown deepens. “So you’re gonna be even busier than before?”

I nod slowly, unsure where this is going. “Yeah... I guess.”

He doesn’t say anything for a second, just looks at his coffee like it betrayed him. “You already barely have time for anything.”

“Well,” I offer gently, “we’re living together for almost two weeks. And I’ll still be at school. And we’ll make time when I’m off.”

He doesn’t look up.

I don’t press. I’m not sure I know how to soothe whatever that is inside him, and I’m too emotionally hungover from the high of yesterday to try.

I glance at Asher instead. “What about you? Any plans today?”

Asher nods once. “I’ve got a friend in town. Thought I’d grab a bite with him.”

“Oh,” I perk up, trying to sound casual. “Where do you know him from?”

“Work,” he says. “We’ve been stationed together for three years now.”

“Is he on break too?”

He nods again. “Forced leave, like me.”

I pause. That sounds... intense. Like something happened. Like they didn’t choose it. But I know better than to pry.

Still, I smile. “Well, if you two want to hang out here instead of going out, you’re welcome. I’m sure I’ll be around.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Before I can say anything else, Tyler claps his hands like he just remembered something. “Oh, right! I forgot to tell you—Jonathan’s having a party tonight!”

I blink. “A... party?”

Tyler is practically glowing. “Yeah! And it’s perfect. We can celebrate you getting the role. It’ll be fun. Chill. A good time.”

My heart stumbles a little. “Ty... you know parties aren’t really my thing.”

He waves a hand. “I know, I know. But come on, just this once. You even said it yourself—you’re gonna be crazy busy starting Monday. Let’s just have one fun night together before all that.”

I chew my lip. It’s hard to say no when he’s like this—hopeful and excited. I hesitate.

“Can I... invite Mila?”

He lights up. “Of course. The more the merrier.”

He turns to Asher. “You should bring your friend too.”

Asher deadpans, “No.”

Tyler grins and starts texting, and the decision is made without me even realizing I’d agreed.

I finish my coffee slowly. My stomach knots in a weird way. I don’t know what I was expecting from today—quiet, maybe. A long walk with Mila. A replay of the fair in my head. But a party?

“I think I’m gonna lie down again for a bit,” I say quietly.

Tyler nods without looking up from his phone. Asher watches me. His eyes flicker—something quiet, unreadable.

I turn and walk back up the stairs, hoodie still swallowing me whole.

And even though it’s warm now, I pull the sleeves over my hands and wrap them around myself.

Just for a little longer.