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But the other part of me, the one who’s invested in seeing these teens have better than I had, is happy for them.
“Thanks for coming along,” Seth tells Luka as we approach our vehicles. Well, Luka’s Jeep and Seth’s truck. Colin took my car to drive Alessia home and he was going to take Ella and Eli to my house. Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect ofhimtaking care of my children, but Alice told me via text she’d check on them. She hasn’t sent an SOS since, so I’m hoping that’s a positive. “I think it meant a lot to Mazzy.”
Luka shrugs as he leans a shoulder against his Jeep. “We’ve been friends for a while because of our dads being on the volunteer fire team. I tried to get her to tell someone else about the attacks ever since she told me, but I know how much she values her independence. Even though she and her dad are close, she really doesn’t like depending on anyone for things after how it went down with her mom.”
“I know that feeling,” Seth admits, still holding my hand. It’s funny to me how intimate of a gesture it really is, having his calloused fingers wrapped tightly around mine as if I’m a lifeline. He glances down at me briefly. “But I’ve been learning lately that it’s okay to rely on a few people. Have you talked to your parents about college yet?”
“No.” Luka blows out a heavy sigh. “Not yet.”
“August is next month…” Seth lets that sentence hang for a moment before continuing. “Take it from me when I say that you don’t really want to go to school for something youdon’twant to do. It’s not the most fun for something you do want to do.”
Luka laughs. “Good point. I know I need to talk to them. I just… I’d be the fifth generation Porter son to be an attorney, and I respect both my father and my grandfather. I don’t want to let them down, you know?”
“Luka, if they’ve earned the respect you have for them, then I’m guessing it’s reciprocated.” Seth claps the teen on the shoulder, but he doesn’t let go of my hand. “They’ll be proud of you no matter what you decide to do because they love you. Believe me, I would’ve loved to have the two-way street of respect with my aunt and uncle. That’s something to be grateful for.”
“I guess I hadn’t thought of it that way.” Luka straightens, hands in the pockets of his pale teal hoodie. “Actually, you know what? I think I’ll go talk to them right now. Thanks, Seth.”
I can’t help but smile as Seth drops my hand to shake Luka’s, which turns into a man-hug, and then Seth steps back and settles his arm around my shoulders as Luka shoots us a smile and heads around to get in his Jeep. I let my head rest on Seth’s chest as we watch the teen make a U-turn to head out of the neighborhood, my hand resting over his steadily beating heart. I also marvel at how I have the privilege of touching him like this, of having him hold my hand and put his arm around me.
I might never get over it.
“He’s a good kid,” I murmur.
Seth’s arm tightens around my shoulders. “A very good kid. I hope his dad and grandfather can see that.”
“You know that Meredith is proud of you, right?” I don’t know why I feel inclined to say this, since I don’t even know the woman.
“Other than at my college graduation in front of everybody else, she’s never told me so. Nor did Elias.”
“That doesn’t mean they aren’t, though.” I slide my arms around his torso and tilt my head back, studying his skeptical expression. He’s not looking at me, which sort of makes my study even more interesting. There’s a light shadow of stubble on his firm jaw, and his eyes are focused directly forward. “Maybe they just don’t know how to say it.”
“Yeah, well, it’s too late for my uncle. But maybe Meredith will someday. I’m not going to hold my breath on it.” He finally looks at me, and the smile he gives me saysPlease drop this subject. He presses a kiss to my temple before he starts us in the direction of his truck. “I know you probably want to get home to Ella and Eli—or to see how Colin is holding up as their babysitter, I guess—but would you mind if we took the long way there?”
My brows lower as he pulls the passenger side door of the Ford open. “Why?”
An unexpectedly flirty smile ghosts the corners of his lips after he helps me into the truck, and then he steps close, left hand braced on the doorframe, right one landing on the seat by my hip. “Because I have a little secret I’d like to let you in on. And the best way for me to do that is to show you, which means we need at least a four minute and ten second drive. So, do you trust me?”
Because he’s standing too close for me to think properly without doing the thing I’ve been waiting years—actually, it’s only been since last night, but that feels like years—I don’t respond. I just lean forward and kiss him, letting my fingers slide into his dark hair. I feel the way he smiles against my mouth, and then his hands on my waist as he tries to tug me closer while deepening the kiss.
I don’t give him the satisfaction.
I pull away before he can kiss me any longer, and I giggle at the unamused glare he gives me.
“Yes,” I say, leaning fully back into my seat. “I absolutely trust you.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jenna
The secret Seth was referring to?
He jams to Usher in his truck.
And by jams, I mean hejams. Like, he turns it up loud enough so that the bass reverberates through your chest, and you have absolutely no choice but to bop your head along because it’s instinct. Seth doesn’t stop at bopping his head, though. Oh no, he also sings along in a noticeably off-key voice while the wind breezing through his rolled-down window musses his dark hair, and he drives with one hand on the wheel.
It’s quite honestly one of the sexiest things I’ve ever witnessed in my life.
So much so that I’m trying to figure out how to witness it again.
