Page 48 of Read With Your Heart

“It’s all good. I hear you’re another Chicago native,” she remarks, and for a second, I still. Then I take in her clothes and know this woman has never been anywhere near where I grew up. “Where did you live?”

Crap.

“West side,” I say, keeping it vague, and her head tips. “What about you?”

“Gold coast.”

I whistle, and my shoulders sag in relief. Yep, nowhere near where I lived.

“I went to college in the city. How about you?” Emily asks, and I know she’s only being friendly. Tricia’s hand comes to my thigh, and she answers for me.

“Leon’s really good with cars. He works at Dixon’s.”

“Oh.” Emily sits up straighter. “I need to bring my car in for a tune-up and new tires.”

Without looking at Tricia, I cover her hand and squeeze it in gratitude, but it hits me. Tricia’s never going to want to tell them how I learned the trade skill I have or where I’ve spent the past few years because of my “schooling.”

I fall back in my seat, keeping quiet as this family chatters and teases one another. Tom is the ringleader and the jokester, keeping it light among them. His wife, Karyn, sits next to him. Their sister Pam is a petite blonde who keeps her attention on the man next to her. His name is Ethan, and he’s somehow related to the rest of them. Then there’s Jess and Emily, who can’t stop touching each other. Then again, Tricia’s hand has not left my thigh, and my hand has not uncovered hers. The time passes, and I’m feeling good, having one more beer than I should on a work night, and then the door flies open.

Trent fucking Walker.

We don’t need a scene, but I’m prepared to make one if he comes near us. He hasn’t been back to Tricia’s house, or at least, not that I’m aware of, since the night Tricia screamed.

“Tricia,” he states, and our table goes silent.

“I’m warning you,” says the bald bartender who owns the place, addressing Trent. He’s been decent to me over the past few months, so I don’t want any issues with him.

“Just wanted to let you know Levi misses you.” I’m not certain I know who Levi is. Tricia and I have had more surface-level conversations than deep ones like the day we shot hoops at the high school.

Tricia’s fingers curl into my thigh. “Levi can see me anytime he wants at school, or he can stop by my house.”

“Oh, yeah? Where you living now?” His eyes travel to me and hold.

That’s right, man. I live with her. I want to beat my chest.

“It’s not like you don’t know,” Tricia huffs, and Jess shifts beside me.

“How does he know?” her older brother asks me.

“He stopped by,” Tricia answers Jess.

My eyes hit Trent’s.

I know you’re still sniffing around her.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Trent states smugly, holding my glare. My other hand clenches into a fist.

“Of course you don’t,” she whispers, keeping her gaze from him.

“What about Levi?” Trent asks, and Tricia’s brows furrow.

“Don’t use Levi like this,” she warns him, and I’m still wondering who this other person is.

“My brother needs you to come home.” Ah! He has a brother.

Tricia’s fingers dig deeper into my thigh, and she slowly shakes her head.

“Jess,” I hiss, giving him fair warning. I’m ready to break this man.