Page 82 of Yolo

“Boys,” I said, patting Garrett’s chest. “It’s okay. It looked bad. I know it did. Everyone’s gone to the circus. Me going into someone’s house with all the lights off and turning no lights on because I didn’t need them. Leaving the door wide open. He didn’t know who I was. I realize that. It’s okay, I promise.”

“It’s not okay,” Garrett defended.

I sighed. “Garrett, honey. It is. I’m not hurt.”

“But he dragged you out of there like you were doing something wrong. You weren’t,” he grumbled.

“He didn’t know that!” I patted Garrett’s chest harder. “Calm down. It’s okay.” I turned to where I thought Auden was standing and held out my hand. “Hi, I’m Bindi. I’m secretly dating your brother, Garrett.”

There was a moment of silence and then I felt a hand in mine.

Are you a texter or a FaceTimer? Neither, I’m a do not disturber.

—Garrett to Bindi

GARRETT

My heart had pounded as I’d looked up and saw the way Auden was all but dragging Bindi out of the house by her arm.

The dogs were going nuts.

Even Boss in the back seat was barking his head off.

I let him out, then rushed over to Atlas’s place and all but slammed myself into Auden, punching him in the arm when he went to reach for Bindi once again.

The next five minutes were tense as we ironed everything out.

Bindi held her hand out to Auden in greeting.

The way she was holding her hand out to Auden made him pause.

Why is that, you ask?

Because it was three feet to the left of where he was standing.

I saw the realization dawn on his face.

Then the utter devastation of what he’d just done to a blind person.

“Shit,” I watched him mouth.

His eyes came to me, apology written all over them, and he moved to take Bindi’s hand.

“Allow me to apologize for that,” he said. “I just saw some person I didn’t know going into Atlas’s place, and like you said, the lights were off. It was odd.”

“I can understand that fully,” she concurred. “I’m just sorry I didn’t go check the other places. I thought about it, but I just remembered that they had kids, and my mind was pretty singularly focused.”

“I can’t,” I muttered.

She pinched my side.

“I’m sorry,” Auden apologized again and dropped her hand.

She smiled. “It’s okay. I really promise. I’m fine. I’m made of stronger stuff.”

“Seriously, I’ll fuck you up if you ever hurt her again,” I murmured quietly so only he could hear.

Auden swallowed and nodded.

---