Page 123 of Pick Me

This was on me. I’d fucked up and needed to be the one to make it better. To prove to Tanner and everyone else that Thea and I weren’t just fooling around. We were more than that. She wasn’t a fling. She was fucking mine, and Tanner didn’t need to worry about her from now on. I would protect her.

I caught Tanner’s eyes as he looked in the rearview mirror, and damn, if I wasn’t already afraid of the guy, the look alone would make my balls shrivel. Fuck, I’d heard about people talking about his menacing glare on the field, I’d just never been on the receiving end before. Dude was scary when he wanted to be.

I took in a sharp breath and glanced over at the object of my affections, which made me want to laugh. If anyone told me I’d be smitten over the fluffy onesie-wearing fireball, I would have said they were delusional.

As if she felt my eyes on her, Thea rolled her head and gave me a lazy smile. My heart skipped a beat. Literally. Shit. That had never happened before. I really was gone for with this girl. All I wanted to do was reach over, haul her into my arms, and kiss away the pain. However, I was conscious a move like that might get us into another car accident if Tanner saw. So I reached for her hand in the middle seat and laced my fingers with hers instead.

Her shoulders eased, a soft, contented smile tugging on her lips. The sight sent warmth spreading through my chest—It was because of me. At least I was getting something right. Then again, it could’ve been the heavy meds they’d given her.

Still, when I traced my thumb across her hand, her smile deepened. In that quiet moment, we were saying more than we ever had in words. She was safe now, and I’d do everything in my power to keep it that way.

As we rolled into the apartment parking lot, I was surprised by how fast the drive had passed. When the engine cut off and the radio fell silent, we were back in the same quiet we’d started with. Only now, it felt different. Heavier. Because this time, I could still feel the warmth of Thea’s hand in mine. Mine to protect, and I’d be damned if I let anything happen to her.

Tanner cleared his throat. “Aster, can you please take my sister to her room and make sure she’s comfortable?”

Thea sighed and squeezed my hand as she leaned into the middle console. “I’m fine, Tan Tan. It was a small hit on the head. Nothing else.”

Tanner ignored Thea, choosing to keep his eyes on Aster. Aster let out a groan of hesitation before exiting the car. Then Tanner turned to the front, refusing to look at Thea. Wow. I’d never seen him this angry, and I wondered if it had to do with what he had to tell his parents to ensure they didn’t change all of their plans to come here.

Thea squeezed my hand, pulling my focus back to her. She mouthedI love youjust as Aster opened the door, offering to help her out. She gave me one last lingering look before slipping from the car, and every part of me ached to follow. To scoop her up and carry her inside myself.

The only thing keeping me in my seat was the blistering glare I could feel burning into me from Tanner through the rearview mirror.

We both watched as the two women stood by the elevator, waiting. Only when the doors shut with them safely inside did Tanner finally move. He stepped out of the car, rounded the hood, and pulled open the back seat door before sliding in beside me.

Instinctively, I shifted toward the window, my left bicep pressing uncomfortably against the door. Tanner’s car was spacious, sure, but not built to accommodate two guys our size crammed into the back seat together.

He said nothing, and I hated silence.

“Back seat, eh? Here I was thinking Aster was the only one who was lucky enough for a make-out session like this. I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Nothing.

Not even the slightest crack of a smile. Tanner rolled his head and took me in. “Are you ever serious?”

“Sorry,” I quipped. “I guess I just kind of thought I needed to break the tension.”

He shook his head, mumbling “Idiot” under his breath. It was the first time in my college career I felt small. “This isn’t something to joke about in my opinion.”

“You’re right.” I raked a hand through my hair, the nerves consuming me. I’d been grilled by dads back in high school when I attempted to date their daughter for longer than a night, and not one of them made me feel as shitty as when my best friend looked at me.

Betrayal.

Anger.

Those were just a few emotions I could see swirling behind my friend’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made that comment. You know me. My mouth just runs, and sometimes I can’t stop it.”

“We’re friends, right?” Tanner asked, staring at the seat in front of him instead of at me.

I nodded. “The best of. You don’t live with a guy for two years and not think he’s awesome.” Was that too much? Probably. I was trying hard, but I wanted to regain his trust.

“Exactly. We know each other.”

“That we do.” I blew out my breath. “More than we’d ever need to.” I clenched my teeth, stopping myself from elaborating. Seriously. Of all the things I knew about him, I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to know your sibling sucked off your best friend and got into an accident because of it.

“Then I need to be honest with you.” He turned, his knee knocking against mine.

“Of course.” I maintained eye contact, wanting him to know I was serious about his sister.

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