Page 67 of Worthy

″They’re pretty easy to hang out with.” He leans back so he’s resting on his forearms.

″They are. And they didn’t give me the third degree which was nice. I was sort of bracing for that.” I pick up a different piece, a candle holder maybe?

″Third degrees aren’t really their style. They just wanted to meet you.” His eyes track me as I set the candleholder down.

″If you ever met my parents, you’d definitely get the third degree,” I say without thinking. Dammit, why do I keep saying things that seem to hint at a future?

″Yeah?” He seems curious. “That does sound uncomfortable. Now I get why you were worried about coming here.”

″I wasn’t…yeah, okay. I was worried.” I smile sheepishly. “But I shouldn’t have been. This was fun.”

″They like you, you know.” He sits up and pulls me to him, setting his hands on my hips.

″How can you tell?” I lay my hands on his shoulders.

″Just a feeling.” He shrugs before gently touching his lips to mine. “You know,” he whispers against my mouth, “I’ve never shown anyone my room before. Never christened this bed.” He trails his fingertip along the waistband of my jeans.

Something about our conversation must’ve spooked him since he’s reverting to his flirty persona. But since being with his parents felt so easy, I’m a little spooked too, and I retreat to the physical with him.

″You want to do that now, with your parents here?” I slide my hands under his shirt and worry a nipple. I’m absolutely not going there right now, but I don’t mind teasing him a little.

″No. You’re a screamer. So, I’m thinking I should get you home.” He nibbles at my ear.

“I’m not a screamer.” I pinch him.

“You will be tonight,” he growls before kissing me deeply, and when we get home, he makes good on his promise.

Chapter eighteen

Cade

″Tell me again why we’re here,” Deacon interrupts the thoughts that have been playing on repeat. “The parade starts in less than two hours.”

It’s the Fourth of July, one of the busiest days of the year because of the parade we host, and it’s getting so popular you have to get there early to get a good spot.

“Beck needs my truck to pull his float. I need to get all these tools out.” I gesture to the boxes in the bed. Normally, I keep my tools in my garage, but since I’ve been staying with Maddox more often than not, it’s easier to leave them in the truck. With his uncle’s garage nearly done, I can store them in there while giving Beck more room.

″We couldn’t have done this yesterday?” Deacon grunts.

″Didn’t think about it until this morning.” I scratch my head, realizing I need a haircut.

″Too busy thinking with your dick,” Deacon mutters under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear him.

“What’s that mean?” I turn to face him, gritting my teeth.

“You’re still staying here every night, and today is the Fourth, the day you hyped all last year as being the perfect time to find a bunch of hot women wearing skimpy outfits,” he complains.

This is another popular day for costumes, and while I draw the line at wearing a flag, I’m playing along and wearing a royal blue velvety shirt matching Madd’s stars and stripes one.One guess where they came from.

″It is, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity.” I lift one of the boxes off the truck.

″But I won’t have a wingman.” Deacon scowls as he lifts another.

″Get Ryder. Or Blake. You don’t need me.” I walk toward the garage, hoping that’s the end of it.

″I know. But I envisioned this summer going much differently.” He follows me. “We were supposed to hang out and go crazy the way you always bragged about, and instead you’re spending all your time with Maddox. I like him and all, but I thought you were going to fuck him out of your system and move on.”

″Those are your words, cousin, not mine.” I shoot him a warning look. “I said I couldn’t get him out of my head and was tired of fighting it.”

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