AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And then I think about how sweet his apology seemed. Like he really meant it. He was like a little puppy with his tail between his legs, asking me to forgive him.
And then I think about how he kissed me, how he practically devoured me, and the whole vicious cycle starts again.
“I’m going to head out now,” I announce awkwardly out of nowhere right after dessert. Before the dishes have even been done. I’m being rude, but I really need to get out of here before I have a total meltdown.
Everyone stares at me, eyebrows raised.
“You’re leaving already?” Jameson demands, pressing his thigh against mine even more.
“Sorry to eat and run, but I’m really… tired. And I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” I smile at everyone except Jameson. “Thanks for having me, Mr. W.”
“You know you’re welcome here anytime, sweetheart. You should come for Sunday dinner more often.”
“I will. I promise.”
When I stand up, every single one of them stands up, too. And then they all try to walk me to the door. These boys really learned their manners.
Only right now, I’m not interested in manners. The only thing I’m interested in is Jameson dragging me off to his cave and devouring me again. But that is not happening. It’s never happening again.
“Thank you, everyone. I promise I can make it to the front door and off the porch all by myself. Just enjoy your night.”
“Text me when you get home,” Jameson demands.
Before I can tell him I absolutely will not be texting him when I get home—or ever—I think better of it.
“Why would she text you, idiot? She should text me,” Jasper says after a beat.
“I’m the oldest. That’s here anyway. She’ll text me,” Jarret says, nodding.
“What the hell? Why I am the only one not getting a text?” Jenson adds, just to stir the freaking pot.
“Lily, you text me when you get home, sweetheart,” Mr. Waters offers.
That has all four of his sons turning on him.
Jameson speaks first. “You barely know how to text. She’ll text me when she gets home, and I’ll fill the rest of you in.”
That’s not happening.
“How about I send a text to the group chat? Then everyone will know at the same time that I’m home safe and sound. In a town of twelve-hundred people. With one road between me and my house. Because all of this is entirely necessary and not the least bit crazy.” I’m nodding at them, wide-eyed and feeling completely crazy myself.
My solution seems to make everyone except Jameson happy, and I’m fine with that outcome.
“What’s the group chat?” Mr. W asks, and the Waters boys erupt in a chorus of seriously Dads, and come on Dads, and this is why she’s not texting you, Dads.
“Glad that’s all sorted out. Have a good night, everyone!” With an awkward wave, I’m rushing out the door.
Have a good night to everyone except Jameson. He doesn’t deserve a good night. Not when he’s made all of mine shit for the past week.
When I’m safely out of there and in my truck driving back into town, I wonder why that particular texting conversation hasn’t come up before. I’m around the Waters family all the time, but I can’t think of a time when Jacks or Gunnar wasn’t there, too. I know I’m always invited, but Mr. W doesn’t usually call to make a big thing out of inviting me to Sunday dinner. I usually just stick around if I’m already out at the farm or hanging out with one of the boys beforehand or something. But I’ve been slacking on going out to the farm to see Violet, trying to avoid Jameson for the past week.
Jameson did this. That sneaky asshole.
I should have known Jameson was responsible for this. He’s the one behind Mr. Waters calling me and inviting me to Sunday dinner. And not taking no for an answer, even though I came up with at least ten different excuses without actually ever saying no.
When I get home, I text the group chat that I made it safe and sound, which is ridiculous. But I do it anyway, so no one worries about me. And because I said I would.
Waters Family Chat:
