Page 72 of Waiting to Love You

I’m not sure what the future holds for us, but I know one thing for sure: it’s going to be an adventure. I have spent my entire life trying to find a family and a place to belong, and I’ve finally found both with her.

Chapter 20

Brady

“You’d better keep your damn hands to yourself, Brady,” Beckett growls as we come to a stop in front of his car.

“You act like you don’t know me at all.” I shove my hands into my pockets, willing myself to calm down and not beat the shit out of one of my best friends. “I’d never do anything like that to Emersyn.”

“I used to believe that. Until I caught you taking advantage of her at your going away party last year.”

“Give it a rest, Beckett. I had every intention of telling Emersyn how I felt about her that night. Sex was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“Look, I came over here to shoot the shit and get things back to how they were. I miss my friend.”

“Why aren’t you hanging with your buddy Seth?”

“What are you, jealous?” I chuckle, causing Beckett to scowl in my direction. “I got tired of being the fourth wheel.” I hold my hand in his direction.

Beckett stares down at my hand for a few moments before giving it a hard shake. “Sorry, man. I missed you, too.” He pulls me in for a one-armed man hug, then steps back. “You know I see nothing but red where my baby sister is concerned. I need to protect her.”

“From what I can see, she’s done a pretty good job protecting herself.” I glance to the side and notice Emersyn propping up the hood of her car.

She catches sight of us staring and wiggles her fingers at us, letting us know she’s good.

“Tell me about it. She just chewed my ass out for treating her like a child.” His eyes soften as he looks over my shoulder at his sister. “I want to protect her from everything. I don’t want to watch her cry from heartbreak again.”

“Again?” I question, seeing the perfect opportunity to find out how Emersyn has taken my year-long silence. “Because of me?”

“Of course, asshole. Did you have to cut off all communication with her? The first few weeks after you left, she cried herself to sleep, wondering what she did wrong to make you turn your back on her. Then it turned into months of worrying if you were all right. Thankfully, your mom kept us up to date on what was going on with you, but not hearing from you took its toll.”

“I tried to keep my distance, like you said, but it was hard. My resolve broke a little more with each email and package she sent, but then one day, they just stopped.”

“It was for the best, Brady. By leaving her, you let her grow and become the woman she is today.”

“But I’m home now, for good.”

“And?” He raises his eyebrow at me before unlocking his car and opening the door. “Look, I’m glad you’re home safe and sound, but we’ve been friends since I was five years old. You’re not good enough for my baby sister.”

Beckett ducks into his car and slams the door in my face, ending the conversation.

I step out of the way as I hear the ignition turn over, and he pulls out of the spot, beeping the horn at us and waving out the window as he drives off toward the bar.

“Sorry. He’s an asshole.”

Emersyn’s voice startles me, and I spin around, taking a step back.

“What are you apologizing for?”

The air crackles between us as I stare into her eyes. Her honey-colored skin glistens in the sunlight as she brushes some curls off her face.

I can’t stop my eyes from roaming down her body. Her pert nipples peek through the thin cotton shirt she’s wearing, tucked into a painted-on pair of jean shorts that should be illegal.

“Up here.”

My eyes snap up to her, and I smile. No sense in trying to hide the fact that I was checking her out.

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