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I glanced to Trevor, and my breath caught when I saw the tears in his eyes. It was clear that he thought of Wade as a brother. In that moment, I could believe that what Wade had said in Lilly’s was true. Trevor had saved him.
A single tear rolled down my cheek as I focused back on Wade. He had such a pained expression. I had the urge to run to him and take him in my arms.
When he opened his eyes, they met mine and my heart stopped as he sang the title words. When the last note played I couldn’t believe how everyone clapped. My brothers all stood, as did Waylynn. She yelled out Wade’s name. Our eyes were still locked. It wasn’t a stare. It was a connection that I couldn’t deny, and I was positive he felt it as well.
Wade finally looked away, and I placed my hand over my chest. My racing heart confused me. What was happening between us? I stood and clapped while Wade handed one of the band members his guitar back.
He lifted his hand and jumped off the stage, and I lost sight of him in the crowd.
“Damn, that took everything out of me not to cry,” Steed said.
“I hate that he lost his family,” Tripp said.
Trevor cleared his throat. “Yeah. He’s good people. I’m glad he took my job offer.”
Waylynn took my hand. “Are you okay, Amelia?”
All eyes were now on me. “I guess I was overcome. That’s a pretty powerful song.”
My sister stared into my eyes. She knew it was more than that, but even I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened.
The band started playing, and everyone began dancing again.
“Well, I’ll give him one thing. He recovers well,” Steed said as he pointed to the dance floor.
What?
Wade had a girl in his arms, and they were dancing. Cord walked up to me, blocking my view of Wade. “Dance with your brother?”
With a forced smile, I nodded. “Of course. It’s about damn time one of y’all asked me.”
Trevor and Waylynn headed out to the dance floor with Cord and me behind them.
I tried my best not to look for Wade. What in the hell was wrong with me? Why did I care that he was dancing with another woman? I had no right to care.
“Who are you looking for, Amelia?” Cord asked against my ear.
“What?” I shouted. “No one.”
He gave me a doubting look. “Seems to me you’re searching. Wade, maybe?”
I laughed. “Please! He’s a friend. I’m not interested in anything more than that.”
“Good. Then you won’t be bothered by the fact that he’s walking out with some girl.”
My smile dropped, and I spun around to see Wade doing just that. I had no idea who the girl was. A blonde. Of course. Why did guys like blondes? And why were there so many blondes in Oak Springs, damn it?
Putting my attention back on Cord, I shrugged and faked a grin. “Let’s hope he uses protection.”
Cord tossed his head and laughed. “You and your condoms, baby sister.”
“Extra-large is all I’m interested in, if you catch my drift.” We continued dancing, which kept my mind off Wade.
After dancing with Tripp, Steed, and Trevor, I called it a night. Waylynn was still having fun, so Steed offered to take me home. The moment we got into his truck, I put my head back and pretended to fall asleep. The last thing I wanted to do was talk. Not when all I could see was Wade walking out with some girl to do God-knows-what.
At some point on the drive back, I actually fell asleep. My brother’s strong arms carried me up the stairs to my bedroom. When he gently set me down on the bed, he brushed my hair back from my face.
“Thank you, Steed,” I mumbled, too tired to look at him.
The bed moved slightly, warm breath at the side of my ear. “Goodnight, darlin’. Sleep good.”
Wade’s voice caused warmth to rush through my body. When his lips touched my cheek, my breath caught in my throat, I didn’t move. Not one inch. I listened to him slowly retreat and walk out of my room, gently shutting my door. The second it shut, I sat up in bed and placed my hand over my cheek. It still tingled from his lips.
It was Wade who had carried me upstairs. Not Steed. What in the hell? Where was Steed?
I jumped out of bed and rushed to the window that faced the front of the house. Steed’s truck was driving off toward the house he shared with Paxton.
Facing my bedroom door, I wrapped my arms around my body. Wade must have offered to carry me up to my room. My heart was beating so hard I thought for sure it would pound right out of my chest. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there and stared at the door. Once I heard Wade’s bedroom door shut, I slowly sat on my bed.
