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“We’re good. Didn’t touch the new one.” He points to the unopened bottle of beer sitting in the cupholder of his chair. “It’s been hours since I had one.”
“What about you, Roe? You good?” Legend asks her.
“I’m staying here tonight, but yeah, I’m good.” She offers him a smile.
“Catch you all later,” they say as the three of them make their way around the side of the house to leave.
“Rome?” Emerson’s sweet voice calls out to me. “How about you? Are you good to drive?”
I want to say no. I wish that I’d had more than that one single beer with dinner so I would have an excuse to stay. Not that anything would happen, but I’d be here with her to look out for her. I know that she’s had four of her wine coolers. Yes, I counted, and no, I don’t give a fuck that it’s none of my business. “I’m good. Just had one with dinner.”
“I gotta piss. Are you two coming inside?” Forrest asks the girls.
“In a little while,” Monroe answers.
“Yeah, I think we’ll let the fire burn down a little more,” Emerson adds.
Forrest holds his fist out for me. “See you,” he says before turning and disappearing into the house.
The quiet surrounds us. I should get up and leave, but I can’t make myself commit to the act. All I want to do is sit out here in her presence until she’s ready for bed. Time passes as we make idle chitchat. They talk about being excited about their final year of college and moving back home. I comment where appropriate, adding myself to their conversation.
“I think I’m going to head in.” Monroe yawns, and it’s fake as fuck. “I’m taking the guest room,” she tells Emerson. She stands and gives her friend a hug and then does the same to me. “Be good to her,” she whispers in my ear before she, too, disappears inside. Her words don’t surprise me. These two are two halves of a whole. I wasn’t sure if she knew about our night, but now I’m certain Emerson told her.
The silence surrounds us. I’m sitting off in the shadows of the fire to the right of the back door. It would take someone walking outside a few moments to notice me. “Come sit next to me.” I’m pushing for trouble, knowing she’s pure temptation, but she’s been too far away all damn night. I just want her close. I can keep my hands to myself.
Maybe.
Emerson doesn’t hesitate to stand and walk around the fire. She grabs the chair her brother was sitting in and moves it closer before curling up in a ball.
“Are you cold?” I ask. I’m a dick. I should let her go inside.
“Nah, just preventive,” she says, pointing to the sweatshirt pulled over her knees.
“Have you ever given a lap dance like that before?” The question is out before I can think better of it.
“Yeah, we play truth or dare back at school a lot. That’s always one of the dares the guys make.” There’s humor in her voice, but it does nothing to quell the rage I’m feeling. The thought of her dancing like that for someone who’s not me has me wanting to punch the nameless, faceless bastard in the face.
“Hey.” She reaches over and places her hand on my arm. “It’s always just in fun. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Be careful,” I grit out. “If anyone tries anything, you tell me.”
She smiles softly. “I’m a big girl, Rome. I can handle it.”
“You don’t have to handle it. One phone call, baby girl”—I point to my chest—“I’m there.”
She climbs to her knees, leans over her chair into mine, and presses her lips to my cheek. “I have a big brother, Roman. I don’t need another.”
“Trust me. I know we’re not related.” My voice is low and gravelly. If she only knew the thoughts I have of her, she would know her statement is irrelevant.
“Why the concern?”
She’s baiting me, and I’m letting her. “Because the thought of someone else touching you boils my blood.” I close my eyes, tilting my head back. The words are out there, and I can’t take them back.
“Who’s allowed to touch me, Rome?”
“No one.”
“That’s hardly fair. Am I allowed to tell you that no one is allowed to touch you?”
