“Yeah,” Wesley calls back. “We just wrapped up.”
“Want a ride back to the house?”
Wesley looks over at me like he’s trying to gauge my thoughts. “Yeah, sure,” he says, running his hand through his hair again before pulling his hat back on.
We slowly walk side by side to the truck.
“C’mon, put some pep in your step!” Emmett hollers. “Lyd is already at the house waiting for us.”
I reach for the door handle but Wesley gets there first, pulling it open and gesturing for me to get in. I’m about to hoist myself up when his hand settles on my waist, stopping me.
“Please stay here with me tonight.” His voice vibrates low in my ear and sends a chill across my skin. I can’t help the way my body responds to him. Folding my lips between my teeth, I give him a small nod before climbing into the truck and scooting all the way in to make room for him.
Emmett turns in his seat, eyebrows pulled together as he looks back at both of us. “That’s weird.”
“What?”I blurt, glancing at Wesley before looking back at his brother. “Nothing is weird.”
A completely rational response.
“Riiiiight,” Emmett replies, placating me, before looking directly at Wesley. “Why are you in the back seat?”
Wesley shrugs. “I don’t know. I just got in the truck. Didn’t realize you had assigned seats. Why does it matter?”
I drop my eyes to my lap, knowing my poker face is nonexistent. I might as well haveI’m hooking up with your brotherwritten across my fucking forehead.
A beat passes before Emmett blows out a deep breath and faces forward again, pulling back onto the path leading to the house.
What is wrong with me? My heart feels like it’s going to rip right through my chest, but I peek over at Wesley anyway. His jaw is tight and his hand is flexing over his thigh, like he’s fighting some internal battle. I wish I could reach out and pull him from his thoughts, but if Emmett saw, it would for sure look weird.
The change in our relationship dynamic is completely under the radar, and it has to stay that way. I’m not even sure how we got to this point, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to bailing on going out with everyone to stay back and enjoy the benefits of my newfriendshipwith him.
“Hey, Em?” I say, clearing my throat. “I’m going to need your help running interference with Lyd when we get back.”
Emmett’s eyes meet mine through the rearview mirror. “How so?”
“I’m not feeling up to going out tonight. I was helping Landon all day and I’m exhausted.” I add on a yawn to really sell it.
“I don’t know, Sades. You know how she is.”
“I do, and that’s exactly why I needyouto help me. You’re like the Lydia whisperer. She’ll listen to you.” He sighs, shaking his head. “Or there’s always bribery. Do you have something she wants?”
Emmett jerks, coughing as his eyes fly wide. Wesley chuckles beside me, adding on, “Yeah, Emmy. Do you have something Lydia wants?” His tone is mocking.
“Youcan shut the fuck up,” Emmett snaps at Wesley before looking at me. “I got you. I’ll figure something out.”
He throws the gear into park right in front of a waiting Lydia, who’s sitting on the porch steps.
“Thanks, Em. You’re the best,” I say, pressing a kiss to his cheek before slipping out of the truck and making a beeline for the front door. Lydia holds her hands out, turning herself into a human barricade between me and the door.
“Hold your horses. What’s wrong?” Her voice is soft, edged with concern.
“What?Oh, nothing. I’m just, um, tired,” I say, stumbling over my words. “I’m going to bed early. I can’t do another night of staying out late.”
“Booo! Don’t be lame, grandma,” she pouts.
I scan the surroundings, searching for my white knight to distract Lyd, only to come up empty. He’s probably still in the truck queuing up his pregame playlist.
“I’m younger than you, Lyd, so that would make you a grandma too.”
