Page 78 of Wicked Devotions

As the morning goes on, he qualifies for the finals in three more events tomorrow. I’m hoping we’ll be able to watch them before we need to fly back, but there is a storm that could change our plans. Every so often Declan pulls out his phone to check the radar. He frowns and puts it back in his pocket.

“What’s wrong?”

“We might have to leave tonight. The tropical storm shifted paths and should be right over Trinity tomorrow.”

That’s not what I wanted to hear. “At least the meet is done for today. He should be coming out of the locker room soon.”

A few minutes later he emerges with his hair wet from the shower and wearing a matching Georgia warm up set with his duffel tossed over his shoulder. I jump into his arms when he reaches us.

“Congratulations.” I kiss his cheek before he sets me back down.

“Nice job.” Declan extends his hand for the dude bro handshake thing. My heart does a little hopeful flip as it always does when they’re nice to each other.

“Thanks. What do you guys want to do now?”

“I’ve been tracking the weather all day, and I think we should probably go home tonight. Looks like Trinity is close to the path of the storm.”

“Oh.” Banks frowns and pulls me to his side. “That sucks, but you gotta be safe. Can we grab dinner at least?”

I look to Declan for an answer.

“We can do that.”

Before we go to dinner, we stop by Banks’s dormto pick up our stuff. I stay in the car while they run up to get our bags. I roll my eyes when Declan tells me to lock the doors but do as I’m told anyway. It’s the middle of the afternoon, and people are milling around outside of the car, I’m sure everything will be okay.

This is actually the first time I’ve been alone outside of the house in weeks. It feels nice and freeing. Maybe a little walk to stretch my legs a bit wouldn’t be that bad of an idea. It’s not like anyone could have followed us here.

A surge of glee shoots through me as I unlock the door and push it open. As I step out onto the sidewalk, I look both ways, deciding which would be the best way to walk. I settle on the way opposite the front door to the dorm.

I tilt my head back and squint into the partly cloudy sky. The warmth of the sun seeps into my skin. Someone bumps into me, and we exchange murmured apologies. I walk up to a large tree and lean back against it, relaxing as I people watch.

I’m not sure how much time went by, but suddenly I hear my name being called frantically. When I look over at the car, I see both Declan and Banks look around. The panic edging their voices makes me hustle back their way.

“Sorry,” I call out as I walk back their way. “I just wanted to get a little air.”

Declan grabs me by my shoulders and pulls me close, hugging me. “Don’t ever do that again.” It probably looks like a sweet embrace, but the edge in his voice says otherwise. He’s angry. “We told you to stay in the car for safety.”

“No one around here is going to hurt me.” I gesture around us at all the passing students.

“That’s pretty naive considering your dad’s face has been plastered on every news station for months.” He opens the door and waves for me to get in.

“We just want to make sure you’re safe,” Banks says calmly. “You did just have a brick thrown through your window.”

I don’t say anything in response. They’re right, but I can’t just stay locked up for the rest of my life. I need to live a normal existence after being sheltered for so long.

Banks pulls up to a restaurant called Fieldhouse, and we all get out. He leads us through the bar to a room in the back. It’s quieter here with only several rows of booths and large televisions hanging on the walls showing at least four different college football games.

Our server comes over as soon as she locks eyes on Banks. It could just be me, but her entire demeanor shifts from overwhelmed to flirtatious. As soon as she walks up to the table, he slides his arm around my shoulders.

“Hi Banks, I’m so glad you’re back. What do you want tonight?”

He rattles off his order while she watches him completely enraptured.

“How about you?” She looks at Declan, ignoring me.

He orders without even giving her a single drop of eye contact.

“Excuse me,” I call when she starts to walk away without taking my order.

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