Page 40 of Whirlwind

Joey sips his coffee again then turns his body fully toward me, his gaze intense as he stares at me. After a long moment, I blush, bringing my hand up to my mouth.

“What? Do I have something in my teeth?”

He pops a hip out and places his hand on it, a slow smirk forming on his charming face that makes his dimples pop out. I start to flush under his attention.

“I need to use the bathroom,” he says abruptly.

Joey tosses money on the counter and grabs my hand, pulling me up from my seat. I let out a surprised yelp as he guides me outof the diner, brushing past Hawk on his way in. I shoot Hawk a small, puzzled smile, but his attention shifts to Joey, and I swear his cheeks flush like earlier. Before I can look closer, warm air meets my already heated skin as Joey leads me around to the side of the diner where the old bathrooms are tucked away.

“Joey!” I finally say as he tugs me again, this time inside the dingy single bathroom with chipping white walls that probably have lead paint. “Why did you bring me in here?”

He closes and locks the door without answering me then turns to face me again. “Spill it, Fin-Fin.”

I stare at my friend, the overhead light casting a yellowish glow over us. This is a very old bathroom, one that would definitely make a person lay toilet paper over the seat or hover to use it.

“Spill what?”

He grins that sly grin again. “You and T-Daddy have a thing going on.”

I bristle. “We do not.”

“That’s a big ol’ fat lie.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “And you don’t have something going on with Hawk?”

I expect Joey to balk or deny his relationship, but he grins wider, if that’s possible. “We’re having fun together. You should see his di—”

“Whoa!” I hold up my hands. “Please do not finish that sentence.”

He chuckles. “Okay, I won’t. But at least you answered my question.”

“I didn’t answer a thing.”

“Come on, Finney. You don’t have to lie to me. A tornado wasn’t the only thing you got twisted up in last night, was it?”

I press my lips together, staring into Joey’s blue eyes. They’re nothing but kind, and I don’t see any judgment in them—only his natural curiosity with a hint of playfulness.

“Is it that obvious?”

He clucks his tongue. “As obvious as sweet tea at a picnic. The man’s been glaring daggers at me since the moment I hugged you.”

I bite back a groan. I should’ve talked to Ryker earlier, told him he was being too obvious with his feelings for me—whatever they are or aren’t. “Do you think the others know?”

He shrugs. “I asked Hawk if Ryker was angry with me to get a feel for if he knew something. I think he does—and Ezra might—but I haven’t had much time with him. Besides, Hawk kept me busy with his mouth after we talked briefly so I don’t know.”

I smile wryly when I think of Joey’s kiss-swollen lips when he came back from “examining the rocket” while the rest of us ate in the diner. I’m happy to know I’m right about him and Hawk. It also makes me feel a little better about sleeping with Ryker, even though Hawk and Joey have nothing to be concerned about. Yes, Hawk is older than him, but that doesn’t matter in this circumstance.

“How long have you and Hawk had a thing?”

Joey shakes his head. “Oh no, Fin. You’re not changing the subject. I want to know what’s going on.”

I groan. “We don’t have anything going on.”

“Finley—”

“Fine, I should say we don’t have anything going on anymore. Ryker stopped it before it went any further than it already had.”

Joey studies my face before continuing. “So you aren’t together?”

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