Page 90 of Love in the Wild

“How fun!” Hadley clapped her hands. “That’s a great age.”

“If I can get them to stand still and pay attention for longer than thirty seconds.”

“I’m sure it’s going well. Keep it up,” Hadley said.

“Can I rent you as a cheerleader during the classes? I could use this kind of motivational talk when they all decide the fuzz on the floor is more interesting than I am.”

Hadley gestured to Gage. “Just ask Gage to hang around and frown. They’ll be too scared to step outta line.”

Travis let out a belly laugh, and Brett almost spit out his drink.

Brett caught his breath and said, “Ain’t that the truth. You’re a little growly, dude. It’s not conducive to friendships.”

“Who said I’m trying to make friends?” Gage asked.

Travis slapped a hand on Gage’s back. “And no one is beating on your door to invite you to tea. Although you’d better be good to Hadley. I have a feeling she won’t put up with your growling too much.”

Oh, how right you are, Travis.

Hadley was already having a hard time containing her questions about Gage’s sour mood since the shootout at the garage. Overall, she was looking at it as a win, but Gage didn’t seem satisfied. He’d told her about the numerous times his family had been in and out of jail. Did he assume this time would be the same? If so, they might all be in trouble.

Gage rested his arm over the back of Hadley’s seat. “You’re right. She doesn’t. That’s one thing I like about her.”

Travis leaned in and whispered to Hadley, “Keep him on his toes.”

Chuckling, she turned to Gage and pressed a kiss to his bearded cheek.

“I gotta head out. Good talkin’ to you.” Travis waved as he turned to leave.

“He’s so nice,” Thea whispered as he walked away. “We should find him a woman.”

Gage shook his head. “He’s not interested. Got his heart stomped on a while ago and hasn’t decided dating is worth the risk yet.”

Hadley pressed a hand to her heart. “That’s terrible.”

Thea raised her hands in surrender. “Okay. I won’t meddle. He’s just such a nice guy.”

Brett looked at the time on his phone. “You ready to head out? Your mom is probably worrying.”

Gage and Thea’s mom had moved in with Brett and Thea after Tommy was arrested. Thea’s life had changed so much in the last few days. She was married, she moved to Blackwater, and now she could talk to her mom whenever she wanted. It also helped that Thea and Gage could be close to their mom when it was time to take her to her treatment appointments.

Hadley stood and stretched her arms. “Emerson, you riding back with me?”

“I guess so.”

Connecting with Emerson wasn’t as easy-breezy as getting to know Thea, but Hadley could be patient. Emerson had been through a lot, and the news about her real dad and the brother and sister she didn’t know she had was quite a blow on top of moving.

Emerson pointed to the small hallway leading to the restrooms. “I’ll meet you outside in a minute.”

Hadley took her place by Gage’s side as they stepped out into the twilight. Tourists were just beginning to fill in the town, and a few people tugged their coats closed as they walked along the sidewalk.

Hadley bumped her hip against Gage’s side. “How awesome is it that Travis offered you a place to stay?”

Gage rubbed his jaw. “Pretty awesome. I hadn’t really expected that.”

“One more step in the right direction,” Hadley added.

One more step away from his family. The further they got from the hate, the easier Hadley breathed.

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