Page 29 of Unravel You

Tears welled in my eyes. At least Wesley was nice. I didn’t belong here. I’d hoped this visit would bring me closer to Derek, and it was already doing the complete opposite. He’d been so excited to have his family meet me and give their blessing. I made a mess of everything, getting drunk and then running off. Jesus. If I didn’t leave of my own volition, Derek would probably ask me to leave anyway.

“Mom has always been like this with whatever girl we brought home. Don’t take it personally.”

“You weren’t there.”

“Maybe not today. But I have been there.”

“What did your girlfriends do?”

He shrugged. “I’m probably not the best guy to ask. I don’t really do relationships.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No worries.”

He met my gaze, and again I got the sense that he knew what he was looking for. A concussion. I’d given my son that look so many times. Did he have kids?

“You have experience with concussions.”

“Marine. Well…” He furrowed his brows, looking away from me.

Did I hit a nerve? I was a real charmer today.

“I was honorably discharged recently. I’m a civilian now. Or trying to be.”

“You don’t like it?”

“I do. I get to work with Mom, so that’s fun.” He grinned at me.

I returned the gesture. “Derek told me about your mom’s business.”

“Yeah. Wealth management. Derek bailed on her. I don’t blame him. Mom’s vision wasn’t big enough for him. He made the right choice, and Mom knows that. Those two are too stubborn.”

“I know.” I raised my hand.

“It worked out. Now Mom has a big whale for a client, her own son, and I get to do what I always wanted to do.”

“The Marine Corps was not your first choice?”

“Come on. You sound like you’re good to go.” He stood and offered me his hand. When I took it, he pulled me up. My feet dangled in the air for a few beats before I landed steady in front of him. “No shoes?”

“Oh. I must’ve dropped them on the way here.”

“I can carry you if you want.” He pointed at my ankle.

It was badly scratched and bruised. Jeez, I was really not made for the outdoors. A backyard was kicking my ass.

“In your dreams.” Derek’s voice boomed from behind me.

Was I mad at Derek for being so oblivious to his mom’s antics? Hell yes. But the heaviness in my chest when we were apart was unbearable. I wanted to go home, but I wanted him to come with me. Would he?

I turned around, and his face blanched. Did I look that bad? He closed the space between us in two strides. “Jesus fuck, what happened?” He cradled my face, glaring at Wesley.

“My bad. I didn’t see where I was going and sort of bumped into her.”

“This is more than a bump.” Derek surveyed my face with an intensity in his eyes that warmed my heart. “I’m so sorry about before.”

“What about before?” I pushed his hands away.

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