Chapter 46 CHAPTER 46

Chapter 46 CHAPTER 46
Three questions...I knew exactly which ones I wanted to ask, saving the most sensitive for last. "How did you know the person behind the exposure page?"

"I have a class with him. He's constantly showing off to his buddies the hot girls that send him pics."

Suddenly, Cross stiffened. His voice took a sharp, defensive turn. "I don't follow that page."

"I know you don't," I said, smiling he was doing his best to reassure me. "I checked if you were."

Cross released a low laugh, head shaking. "You got me walking on a tightrope for you," he murmured, squeezing my waist.

Unlike that Anthony boy, Cross never showed the pictures of girls who sent him nudes. He'd mention to us who did in confidence, sure, but no one ever caught a glimpse of the content. Not even Teddy when he begged.

I wanted to ask if I could check his phone. What did he do with the nudes girls sent him before? And yet, a stronger part of me wanted something deeper. Something only between the two of us.

"What's something David, Theodore, and I don't know about you?"

Cross bit his lip thoughtfully. He seemed to debate something before coming to a conclusion.

"Follow me."

He hoisted me off his lap and together we slid off his bed. For moment, a part of me almost regretted asking something we had to go elsewhere. The warmth of his body and his arms around me was the most comforting thing. I followed him until we stopped in front of the basement door.

"What's in there?" I asked, trying -and very much failing to hide my interest.

His hand remained frozen on the handle. After several seconds of him staring dramatically at the door, I huffed. "Hurry up!"

"Fine."

He still didn't move. Fed up with his stalling, I shoved him aside and reached for the handle myself. In a moment he fisted my shirt and yanked me against him, bringing us face to face.

"If you tell anyone what you see today, I'll haul your perky
behind to the nearest exit and throw you in the biggest, smelliest trashcan. Understood?"

I tried to pry his fingers off but he was having none of it, holding me in place.

"Understood?" he repeated, this time a predatory glint flashed through his eyes, further proving just how sensitive this was to him.

"Yes!"

The side of his lips quirked slightly. "I'm glad we reached an agreement, love." He pecked my lips for extra measure.

The anticipation heightened as Cross slowly cracked the door open. When he did-utter darkness.

"Hold onto me while we go down the stairs. There's no side rail."

To make it worse, the door swung shut behind us, plunging us in suffocating darkness. The stairs were steep and uneven. I clung to Cross for dear life.

"How is there not a light switch up top?" I said.

"There is."

I gaped into the void. "Then why are we going down the stairs with no light?!"

"I like it when you hold me all desperate. It's practice for when I…"

"Do not finish that sentence."

Finally, the floor leveled beneath our feet. Cross spun to face me.

"Kiss me."

"Stop stalling."

In a sudden flash, the room was inundated with light. I winced, blinking quickly as I took in the room around me. A couch, a massive flat screen TV, and of course, an Xbox attached to it. It was... severely anti-clinmactic. My eyes narrowed. Cross played me in coming down here.

"Every guy has a man cave," I said flatly, fixing himbwith an annoyed expression.

"Over there." His chin jerked to the far right, completely separate from the initial main attraction.

My mouth parted.

There, spread across a table in brilliant display, was an entire city made of Legos. Massive buildings towered over the streetwalk like skyscrapers. A little train perched at a terminal, its tracks weaving through the area as if it were made for commuters. At the far edge, a massive bridge curved over a body of water. It landed in a suburban district where neatly arranged homes dotted the landscape, each framed by tiny trees and winding sidewalks. The intricacy of it all had me breathless. I could only imagine all the weeks and months it took to design each section.

I stepped closer to his display. "Legos..this is…" Cross pinched me before I could finish.

"Stop judging me," he said darkly.

"I’m not judging you! You didn't let me finish!"

Standing there, with arms crossed and eyes averted, he looked absolutely adorable.

"I was gong to say, this is amazing." Using his shoulders as leverage, I rose to my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. "You want to be an architect. It makes sense you'd building things, even if it's with the Legos kids use," I finished, giggling.

He didn't join in my humor. Suddenly, a pair of hands latched onto me, tickling me in my most sensitive spots.

"Stop it!" I cried, pulling away from him. There were many things I hated, but above all I hated tickling.

"You thought it was funny, huh? I'll give you something to laugh about." His fingers followed me, even as I dropped to the floor in weakness.

"Cross-! I.I'm...I'm out of breath!"

Finally, he stopped. His fingers poised to attack me if I so much as giggled again. I remained limp on the floor.

"Sorry," I wheezed, grinning despite myself. It felt nice to have him uncomfortable fora change.

Cross lifted my slumped body as if I weighed nothing. With long strides he carried me to the couch and set me down gently. At last recovered, I patted the cushion beside me. Cross stretched length-wise and rested his head on my lap like it was the most natural thing.

"My third question.." I said softly. "Why do you hate Larissa? I want to know the history between you two."

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A/N: Finally we get to talk about Larissa!
This chapter was mostly filler, but for the next one, get your popcorns ready and some tissues as well😏
Anyways… what do we think?
I'd like to hear about any speculations you have about the history between Cross and Larissa in the comments tho… I love reading comments!
Also please like, add to library; subscribe even and most importantly comment🙏🏿😭
Love y'all ❤️