Page 27 of Séance

He nods his head and continues nodding, even as he yanks out his phone and raises it in the air. “We need to make a list!”

“After supper,” Hicks interjects, his tone uncompromising, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a common theme with Jameson.

Jameson scowls at the order but does as commanded and sets his phone aside…not that it stops him. Refusing to be muzzled, Jameson leans toward his brother, and the two of them begin whispering to each other, glancing at me every so often, and it’s all I can do not to fan my face at the combined force of their attention.

Maybe it’s because I’ve never been around guys my age, but I suspect it’s an ability unique to them alone. With their heads bent together, their similarities are striking, and it’s hard to take my gaze off them. They are stunning, especially with mischief dancing in their blue eyes. They peer at me through their dark lashes, and I have to turn away for fear of falling under their sway.

Noticing Gunner is quiet, I lean toward him. “Everything okay?”

He nods, then takes a sip of his beer, avoiding my gaze.

Hurt by his demeanor, I look down at my plate and push the food around. It’s not until he places a hand over mine that I still.

“I’m sorry,” Gunner mutters, slowly sweeping his thumb across the back of my knuckles. “I’m not smart like the others,and it messes with my head sometimes. I didn’t mean to be an ass.”

Slightly reassured, I peer up at him, a furrow forming between my brows. “But you’re a mechanic, right? From the nicks on your hands and the grease stains, it looks like you’ve been at it for years. How is that not just as impressive? Being smart isn’t just about book learning. You have a talent that is just as important and impressive.”

His blue eyes darken, his suspicious gaze searching mine as if looking for a lie. I hold as still as possible under his regard. It’s only when he nods that I relax.

Ellis leans over the table to look at us. “I’ve been telling him that for years, but he won’t listen. The things he builds are amazing. He might say he’s a mechanic, but he’s really an engineer. With training, he could easily become top in his field.”

I’m not in the least bit surprised by the revelation. He oozes competence. No matter what he does with his life, he’ll succeed. I find myself nodding at Ellis in complete agreement. “I could see that.”

“You can?” Gunner says with a gruff whisper, a touch of disbelief in his voice.

I tilt my head to the side and study him. If I answered instantly, he wouldn’t believe me. His dark hair is tousled, his shoulders are broad, and his chest is thick with mouthwatering muscles. He straightens under my attention, then stills, almost like he’s afraid of my reaction.

I don’t leave him waiting for long. “I do. What we see in the mirror is not the same as what other people see. The image we have of ourselves is distorted. We see all our doubts and flaws, but they are just a manifestation of our fears. I’ve been put into these little boxes my whole life by other people, but it’s the box that I put myself in that’s the hardest to escape.”

When he doesn’t look convinced, I lean forward and grab his hand, rotating it until his palm is turned upward.

“Your hands are big and rough, full of calluses, scars, and grease.” I tighten my grip when he tries to pull away. “They are battle scars, proof they can do anything.” I lightly run my finger down the center of his palm, loving the way his fingers curl toward me like he wants to keep me close. “They are strong. They can do anything you set your mind to. The only limitations are the ones you put on them.”

I reach up and tap my finger against my chest. “If you don’t believe me, then trust your family…not the one you were born with, but the oneyouchose.” I wave my hand at the guys seated around the table. “Youchosethem for a reason. You trust them. Why wouldn’t you trust them now when they say you would be amazing?”

Gunner doesn’t speak or move the whole time I’m speaking.

The rest of the guys are just as silent, but I don’t allow them to pull my attention away. His intensity should be off-putting, but I find it spellbinding. His blue eyes slowly brighten, his posture straightens slightly, and his expression eases until he looks younger and hopeful.

He slowly wraps his hand around mine, his grip warm and firm, the calluses brushing against my skin, but I don’t mind. They have the same intensity as him. When he finally looks at his friends, they nod, each wearing a no-nonsense, serious expression.

He grunts in acknowledgment, not saying a word. Though his mind is a million miles away, he squeezes my fingers, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the pulse in my wrist. It’s distracting as hell.

Combined with the guys looking at the two of us, it’s too much stimulation after a long day. I practically lectured them. How awkward. If I needed proof that I need to learn to be betterat peopling, then the supper confirmed it. Untangling my fingers from Gunner is like peeling off a layer of my skin, the separation hurting something deep in my chest. To cover the pang, I awkwardly clear my throat, grab my napkin, and dab my mouth.

“I should probably get going.” I drop my napkin on the table, then push my chair back and rise to my feet.

The guys all stand at once, each of them scowling, and I barely resist the urge to step back. It’s instinct not to react to outward stimuli or risk more bruises. Any sign of weakness is like blood in the water to a shark.

“Wait.” Jameson crosses his arms, his eyes narrowed on me. “Are you trying to leave early to avoid cleanup?”

I blink at him, then my eyes widen. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Of course not.”

Feeling like an ass, I grab my plate and head toward the kitchen. This is one of those etiquette things I missed growing up with my father, and I’m mortified I tried to skip out without doing my share.

I’m so focused on my mistakes that I barely register the guys muttering to themselves behind me. I grimace when I see a few of them hastily shoveling food in their mouths before they follow, and I tighten my lips to keep from apologizing, not wanting to make things worse.

Ellis quickly catches up to me, then heads toward the sink. He pulls out the garbage, demonstrating how to clean off the plate, before setting the dirty dishes on the counter. He shows me all without speaking a word.

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