Chapter 74 Can I?

Chapter 74 Can I?

Steven's POV

Everett immediately protested, "Why can't I be the one to carry her upstairs?"

Elsie glanced at him and said slowly, "Shouldn't you be sitting here explaining your trip plans to us?"

Everett scratched his head sheepishly, "Alright then."

He looked up at me, "Thanks, Steven."

Elsie turned to me as well, "You can handle it, right? Steven."

I nodded and slowly stood up. She was so well-behaved and quiet.

Everett had already started talking away. I gently picked her up.

Her head rested against my chest. She weighed almost nothing.

Everyone's attention was drawn to Everett's description. As I carried Rebecca away, I said quietly, "I'll be right back."

Too bad no one heard me. They didn't care about right now—they were more interested in the upcoming trip.

That was fine, actually. It meant I could spend a little more time with her.

How I wished the path to her bedroom could be longer.

Unfortunately, the distance was only this far.

The time I could hold her was only this short.

I pushed open her bedroom door. Just as I was about to lay her on the bed, her fluffy head nuzzled against my chest.

I clenched my fists. Good thing she was asleep, or she would have seen how flustered I was.

Rebecca—how could she be so unguarded with everyone?

I love her so much. Every little move she makes stirs my heart deeply.

I took several deep breaths to barely calm my chaotic emotions.

She lay there so peacefully. I slowly crouched down, staring closely at her fair, delicate face.

My eyes fell on her full lips. That rosy glow was like a witch's poisoned apple, tempting me constantly.

I unconsciously reached out my finger, letting it slide across her full lips. Those warm, rosy lips were really soft—softer than any jelly in the supermarket.

She let out a soft hum. I pulled my hand back in alarm, but realized she hadn't woken up. I smiled helplessly.

She must have been some kind of enchantress in a past life. How else could she be this captivating?

I couldn't stay here any longer. I should leave, or I really might lose control.

I gently tucked the blanket around her and brushed the stray hair from her forehead. "Good night, my princess. I hope you have a beautiful night."

By the time I came downstairs, the discussion had long ended. My parents and Everett were already standing by the door.

Elsie saw me coming down and smiled slightly. She turned to Rebecca's parents.

"Well, we should get going. Thanks so much for having us tonight."

My father put his arm around my mother's shoulder and nodded in agreement. "Barbara, your cooking was amazing. Next time you must come try ours."

They chatted briefly, then we all went home together.

As soon as we got home, Everett kicked off his shoes and ran to his room.

I followed Elsie into the kitchen. She was filling a glass with water.

I stood beside her, watching her movements closely. "Why do we have to go on this trip?"

David walked in right behind us. He took the glass from Elsie's hand. "We're just letting you guys go out and have fun for a few days. Don't make it sound like we're forcing you."

I looked serious. "Aren't you? You're throwing me into the woods for several days without even asking me first."

David patted my shoulder. "Don't be so tense. We just want you to go out and relax for a few days. There's no bad intention."

Right, they had no bad intentions, so naturally they expected me to be happy about the choice they made for me.

But was that really the case?

I didn't have much interest in this kind of thing to begin with, but Rebecca was going. How could I bear to let her stay there all alone?

She'd be scared. I knew it. Everett knew it too.

But Everett didn't seem to care that much. When did he ever care about anyone? He only cared about whether he was having fun.

I really couldn't understand what Rebecca saw in a guy like Everett.

If I were her boyfriend, I'd never let her be alone. I'd want to be with her every single moment.

But I couldn't, because Everett was her boyfriend.

I hung my head. As Elsie passed by, she pushed me out of the kitchen.

"Alright Steven, don't overthink it. Get some rest. You guys have to pick up Rebecca in the morning."

I walked back to my room in silence. I'd get to see her tomorrow.

Just thinking about spending several days with her made the future seem not so hard to bear.

I had just set breakfast on the table when Everett, for once, got up early.

He was smiling. "Good morning, Steven!"

I arranged the knives and forks in my hand. "What do you want to eat?"

"Fried eggs and bacon!" His voice was full of excitement.

I turned and went into the kitchen while he sat down next to Elsie.

"Mom, we're going to be gone for so long. Will you miss us?"

Elsie spread jam on her bread, smiling. "Of course I will. So have you packed everything? After breakfast you should go pick up Rebecca."

For once, Everett didn't drag his feet. He packed his things properly, so we didn't waste much time before arriving at Rebecca's house.

Barbara opened the door with a smile. "Good morning, boys."

We responded in unison, "Good morning, Mrs. Rodriguez."

She brought us to sit in the living room and prepared tea for us. "Just call me Barbara from now on. Rebecca probably isn't ready yet. Wait here for a moment while I go upstairs to check on her."

Everett stuffed cookie after cookie into his mouth. I watched him, a hint of disgust flashing in my eyes.

He'd eaten five slices of bacon, two eggs, four pieces of bread, and a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. He'd already eaten so much—how could he still eat so many cookies?

Listening to his chewing sounds, I frowned slightly. I really couldn't stand him anymore.

He pushed the now-empty plate forward. "Barbara, your cookies are so good. Can I have some more?"

Barbara stopped mid-step, frozen in place. She seemed to be considering whether to go to the kitchen for cookies first or go upstairs first.

Seeing her conflicted expression, I immediately volunteered and stood up. "Barbara, how about I go upstairs and get Rebecca?"