Page 29 of Salvation

I falter at that, not truly healed and ready to discuss it with the entire table. Thankfully, just as I start to clam up, Wesley’s deep voice cuts through the dining room. “The first night of Karaoke at the bar is Friday.”

The way he changes the subject comes off like he’s merely uninterested in my life, maybe even downright rude, but I know that tone. I understand what he just did for me. His voice causes goosebumps to rise on my exposed flesh. I shuffle in my seat and place my arm closest to his in my lap.Thatshocks me. More than the fact that he just swooped in to save me. I did not think Harper had it in her to convince him, but I guess I was wrong.

“Mr. Sanders told me,” Ana exclaims. “How exciting, honey!”

“Wow.” I cut in, clearing my throat. “What a fun idea.”

He narrows his eyes at me and leans back in his chair. “It was your idea, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug and busy myself with taking a sip of my water. I can feel his eyes on me,but I don’t meet his stare. I’m a shit liar. And he knows it. When it comes to the little stuff, at least.

“So, Blake,” Ana leans forward from her spot at the table. “Are you dating anyone in town yet?”

I choke on the piece of chicken I just put in my mouth, and Wesley pats me on the back dramatically. I shoo away his hands with a scowl, clearing my throat. “No. Nope. Single pringle over here.”

Single pringle?I cringe at my own words.What am I? Five?Wesley snorts beside me, and I shoot him a glare. Ana hums and widens her eyes. Taps her chin like she’s deep in thought. “You know…there’s thisveryhandsome boy who works at the convenience…”

Both Wyatt and Wesley cut her off with a groan and a chorus of“Mom”s, but it’s Wyatt who throws his head back and says, “Come on, Mom. Seriously?”

“What?” She asks incredulously. “If you two won’t give me a grandbaby, Blake might as well!”

“Oh my god.” I bury my hands in my face. “Please make it stop.” I mutter to Wesley. My face feels like it’s onfire.And their reaction tells me that this isnotthe first time she’s played matchmaker with the people in this room. I pray to the man above to make the rest of this a normal family dinner, but even I know there’s no such thing when the Conways and Warners come together.

Chapter 29

Wesley

After dinner, Blake and I are alone in the kitchen. Our moms are on the porch drinking wine, and Wyatt rushed out of here to help with a problem on the ranch. So, that left us two to deal with the clean up.

“I wash. You dry.”

I nod and take up position beside her. A comfortable silence fills the space between us. I go to break it, but she beats me to it. “Thanks for that. With your mom.” She doesn’t need to elaborate. I know exactly what she’s talking about. I adore my mother, but she tends to pry more than she should. I could see how quickly Blake became uncomfortable and changed the topic for not just her sake but for us all.

“Does your mom not know about your ex?” I ask.

“His name is Marshall. And no,” she shakes her head, “She doesn’t.”

The way she says it tells me she wants to keep it that way too, so I don’t prod any further. Instead, I let out a scoff and raise my eyebrows. “Marshall? What a shit name.”

A laugh bubbles from her chest in return, and damn me if that smile doesn’t make my pulse skip a beat. I feel like I’m sixteen again, begging for her attention when I know it’s not fair to do so with so much already on her plate. She gasps, letting her laugh turn into a giggle, “It really is, isn’t it?”

I nod, and we’re quiet again for a few minutes, nothing but the sounds of glass clanking and running water floating in the air. Thinking about my mother’s earlier questioning again has me opening my loudmouth and shoving it into a completely different direction. “I heard you met Haden.”

“Haden?” she asks, confusion wrinkling her pretty features.

“Tall, dark hair, tattoos.” I elaborate.

“Oh!” Surprise coats her tone. “You know him?”

I shrug. “He’s a buddy of mine.”

“Huh,” She shakes her head. “That’s so weird. Never would have guessed. He wassonice.”

The way she says it grates against my nerves. I roll my eyes as I pass back one of the plates she gave me. “You missed a spot.” She didn’t. But it’ll drive her crazy that she can't see it.

She squints her eyes at the plate but shrugs and pushes it back under the water. It hits at just the right angle and causes water to shoot straight onto my clothes. She gasps and covers her mouth to hide the amusement lighting up her eyes. “That was an accident. I swear.”

“Hey, it’s okay. It happens,” I wave my hand in aforget-about-itmotion. But when she turns around to grab some paper towels, I reach forward, cranking it all the way to cold, pull out the sink hose, and spray her from head to toe.

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