Page 16 of Savage Truth

He leaned toward me, and I mirrored his action until we were an inch apart. His breath fanned over me in a sensual caress. I licked my lips, and his pupils dilated.

Abruptly, he pulled back then jumped to his feet, the crunch of pebbles beneath his shoes loud in my ears. “We should head back.”

I gasped at the loss of what almost happened—a kiss. The moment loaded, like it meant something. I didn’t understand. I’d slept with him, literally and figuratively, just the night before.

Even so, it felt like so much more. Emotions were involved—an added complication.

What am I going to do?

CHAPTER EIGHT

RILEY

“You know why.” Mom’s voice was tight with panic.

I entered the kitchen from the garage, practically on Cole’s heels, and caught a small glimpse of the backyard. They’d left the slider open. She and Lucas were arguing near the pool.

Cole paused just out of their view, and I slammed into his back. He reached behind and steadied me before dropping his hand from my arm. Neither of us moved.

“We’ll get it taken care of.” Lucas stepped closer to Mom, cupping her shoulders with his hands. A tremor ran through her, and he caressed the side of her face. “Once the legalities are cleared, I want us to get married.”

What the actual hell?My fingers grazed Cole’s rock-hard back. His muscles bunched and prepared to spring into action. I wanted to fist the soft material of his shirt, but he wasn’t mine. Lucas obviously wanted Mom in his life, and I knew everything would implode because she couldn’t marry him. She was already married to my dad.

What he saw—loved—was all a façade: where we came from, our lack of extended family, our last names, and even the color of her hair.

“It can’t happen.” She shook her head as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “He’ll never let me go.”

I sucked air, and Cole pressed me farther back into the hallway.

She told him about my dad—her husband.

There were rules—we never revealed our truth, who we’re connected to, or what our real names are.Never get attached.

She broke the worst one. She broke them all.

I cringed. I was just as guilty… the diving team. The heat from Cole’s body radiated into mine, and I rested my fingertips lightly on his back, keeping connected and warning him to stay there. I didn’t want him pressing his body into mine again.

I couldn’t decide which rule I violated more egregiously: emotional attachment or getting involved with the team.We’re screwed.

Mom said my name, and I zeroed in on their bickering, letting my out-of-control thoughts fade into the recesses of my mind.

“Riley shouldn’t have joined the team. If she’s as good as you say, the media will be all over her.” Lucas released Mom and paced along the edge of the pool.

Her voice hardened. “You said we would be fine.”

There she is.I knew that version of Mom well. We kicked ass and took names. A sliver of calm eased the panic back. Maybe she wasn’t emotionally involved, and I was the defective one.

“My sons will have her back at the school.” He sounded distracted. “She’ll be fine there.”

Mom snorted. “Lucas, you really think your sons will have Riley’s back? They blamed the party on her when she doesn’t have any friends here. Certainly not the hundred or so who were in the house for that party. That smacks of your kids, not mine.”

Lucas turned, a frown marring his features. “I already apologized to her.”

“But you didn’t punish your boys.” She crossed her arms over her chest, challenging him.

“It was one party, and with all the changes, I didn’t feel it was necessary. They’ve been through enough without me coming down on them for every little infraction.”

Mom looked to the sky and softened her voice. “I know what they went through when their mom died.”

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