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The look dropped and he snorted. “This is nothing. Just wait until Mom and Dad hear about what happened. They’ll storm the place to reinforce it.”
I hadn’t even thought about that and I groaned, rubbing both hands over my face. “What are the odds I can pretend nothing happened?”
As if in response, my phone rang with Mom’s number.
Devin shot it a knowing look but said nothing.
There was no use postponing the inevitable, so I picked it up and answered.
“I’m fine, just a bit bruised.” I said and Devin snorted.
I sent a glare his way but didn’t comment, too focused on Mom as she spoke.
“We just heard about what happened. That brute is behind bars, right?” Worry all but oozed off her tone and I nodded, then remembered she couldn’t see it.
“Yeah, or he will be. Devin and Will got there in time to stop anything really bad.”
Will’s grip tightened around me and his features darkened while Devin wore a matching look of guilt. Groaning audibly this time, I huffed at them.
“Don’t you two start. I’ve already told Will once today, and I’ll repeat it as many times as necessary to get it through your thick heads. Blame the person who hurt me, not yourselves.”
Neither of them looked all that convinced, but Mom made a noise of agreement. “Be sure to tell them that I agree with you. There’s no point in beating themselves over it.”
I smiled victoriously, raising my chin a bit at Devin. “Mom said I’m right, so there.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “How old are you, five?”
To counter that I stuck my tongue out at him and blew a raspberry. He rolled his eyes, and I focused back on the call.
“Anyway, I’m alright, Mom. Devin installed another lock on the door while I was out of it. Fig tried to protect me as well. You still have to meet him. He’s the sweetest thing.”
She hummed, something lingering under her tone that I didn’t like. “That’s good, sweetheart, but there was another thing I wanted to talk to you about. The rumors say that William carried you off after what happened…”
Curse those stupid gossips; now we couldn’t even wait to set the day of the dinner. My smile turned brittle and both the guys frowned, worry clear.
I waved them off and spoke. “He did. I’m currently at his house because Devin knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep with all the police at our house.”
Understanding dawned on both their faces and Will grimaced, tucking me closer. Nerves all but buzzed off his skin and when Mom continued, they increased.
“Honey, there have been rumors lately about you two. Usually I don’t pay them any mind, but I know you’ve had a crush on him for years, so I have to ask. Are you two-?”
Heat burned my cheeks and I sighed. “We’re dating, yes. It’s a very new development, and we were actually just talking about when we should invite you over to tell you.”
Which was kind of blown out of the water now, but such was life.
Mom still didn’t sound happy though, if anything her tone all but dripped with concern. “I thought he didn’t date?”
I loved my parents and if I had a kid in my situation I’d be just as wary, but that didn’t mean I looked forward to the upcoming conversation.
“He didn’t, at least until now. If I doubted him for an instant, I wouldn’t have agreed to a relationship.”
Will paled, his hold tightening and Devin grimaced, obviously guessing what Mom was worried about. He put a hand on Will’s shoulder in support, his other hand motioning for the phone.
I gave it, watching curiously as he cleared his throat. “Hey, Ma. I figured I’d throw in my two cents since you and Dad are probably already in a tizzy.”
Now I couldn’t hear her response, and it put me on edge. He nodded along with whatever she said, then soothed.
“I get why you’re worried, but do you really think I’d be this calm if I thought he’d hurt her? Yeah he likes to flirt, but you haven’t seen him this past month. He’s been downright miserable, and he hasn’t even looked at a woman since he and Bea kissed.”
