Page 62 of Love Me Fearless

Shit. Hutch’s room exits into a hallway that’s partially visible from the front entryway. I could try to sneak left and down the end of the hall to Louisa’s room, but then what? Crawl out her window?

With a gulp of air for bravery, I slip into the hallway. Better to make my exit now, before it gets any more awkward.

Thea has her back partially to me. Standing with her is a tall, athletic guy, all chiseled jaw and quick gray eyes. He’s petting a frantic Toby, so I’m in his line of sight, and for an instant, our eyeslock. Slowly, he cocks his head, and it dawns on him—likely thanks to the mortification written all over my face, or maybe it’s my messy hair and bare feet—what activity Hutch and I were just engaged in. A glimmer of a smile plays across his face but I press my index finger to my lips. He gives me a subtle nod and a wink.

I don’t even know this kid and now I’m going to owe him a favor. Shit!

“This is Dylan,” Thea says as I step into the light.

Hutch and Dylan shake, but it’s easy to tell the grip each has could crush a small car.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Dylan says.

Thea’s eyes brighten in surprise when she sees me. “Hey, Ava!”

Thanks to the commotion in the entryway, maybe she didn’t see me come out of Hutch’s room. Thea pulls me into a soft hug. “Mom says you’ve been helping out. Thank you.”

“I’ve enjoyed it,” I say. “I’m getting lots of time in the saddle.”

Dylan makes a sound like a chuckle, but at my look of death, he coughs into his hand. “Sorry, throat’s a little dry.”

They migrate into the kitchen, giving me the opportunity to dash for the door. As I’m slipping on my boots, Hutch comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my middle and burying his face in my hair.

“I don’t want you to go,” he says in a low tone that makes my toes curl.

“Yeah, how would that work? You and Thea need to catch up,” I say.

“What if I make you stay?” he teases, licking the back of my ear.

Resisting him is going to kill me, but leaving is the smart choice. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“When? You wanna come over for breakfast?”

I risk a look toward him because he’s kidding, right? “I’ll be here for chores.”

“Okay. But no avoiding me.”

I groan. Of course he knew. “Okay.”

“I’m walking you out.” He releases me and steps into his boots while swinging the door open.

Outside, the night air carries a hint of the day’s warmth. A sign of the summer to come. Gazing up at the stars brings back that night six years ago. Will things fall apart between me and Hutch again, now that this night is ending the same way?

He slips his hand into mine as we cross the gravel to my car. I wrap my fingers around his palm and sigh. Holding hands with Hutch has always been one of my favorite things.

“Text me when you get home,” he says.

I give him a sideways glance beneath my lashes. “What if I feel like going out? The night’s young.”

The muscles in his jaw go tense. “This is why you should be staying with me. I won’t be able to sleep until I know you’re safe.”

He’s taking this protective thing awfully far. “I’m heading home.”

He heaves a sigh of relief. At my car, he leans down to kiss me. It starts as a simple goodbye, the embrace of his lips soft and sweet, but I can’t seem to pull away. I grip his waist to steady me as his tongue flicks with mine. It makes me miss the way our bodies moved together, the warmth we created and the way he made me feel.

A blast of light from a car rumbling down the driveway startles me apart, but Hutch holds my gaze a moment longer. “Drive safe.”

“I will.”

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