“Then speed safely.”
Despite everything, I almost laugh.Almost.
My phone buzzes again.
Hunter
Actually leaving now.Morgan’s closing up.
“That’s it.I’m dead.I’m so dead.”I grab my keys, my phone, shove my feet into my boots without tying them.
Silas catches my hand.“Hey.Look at me.”
I look.His hair is sticking up in every direction, his glasses are crooked, and he’s standing there in his boxers looking concerned and adorable and I’m in love with him and I have approximately eight minutes to get home before my brother figures it out.
“It’s going to be okay,” he says.
“You don’t know that.”
“I know you.You’re resourceful.You’ve got this.”
He pulls me in for a kiss that I don’t have time for but take anyway because I might not get another chance if Hunter murders me.
Or Silas.
“Go,” he says against my mouth.“Text me when you’re safe.”
“If I’m alive.”
“You’ll be alive.Just grumpy,” he teases.
I’m out the door and in my car in under thirty seconds.The engine roars to life and I peel out of his driveway like I’m in a Fast and Furious movie.
The streets of Here are deserted.Just me and my panic and the very real possibility that I’m about to get caught because I couldn’t keep my hands off my brother’s best friend for one night.
I make it to Hunter’s street in seven minutes.A new personal record.
His truck isn’t in the driveway yet.
I park on the street—quieter than the gravel driveway—and sprint to the front door, fumbling with the spare key.My hands are shaking so badly it takes three tries to get it in the lock.
Inside.Lock the door behind me.Shoes off, left in the entry hall like I would have hours ago.Jacket on the coatrack.
I’m halfway down the hall to the guest room when I see headlights sweep across the living room window.
Shit.
I dive into the guest room, yank off my jeans, and burrow under the covers mostly clothed.My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure Hunter will hear it from the driveway.
His truck door slams.His keys jangle in the lock.The front door opens.
I close my eyes and try to breathe normally, which is impossible when you’ve just run a sprint and your entire relationship with your brother is about to implode.
Footsteps in the hallway.They pause outside my door.
Please don’t come in.Please don’t come in.Please?—
The footsteps continue.His bedroom door opens and closes.I hear my brother moving around, the low sound of him talking to Raven, a TV turning on and then the volume turning down.
