Page 75 of Worthy

My face falls into my hands, and I hiss, “Jesus Christ, fine! Anything to get rid of the audience commentary! I’ll text you the address.”

“Thank you, T,” Lance murmurs, and I hate that I can hear the beautiful, beaming smile in his voice. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“Yea, yea…” I mutter and hang up the phone, peering at Jake.

He’s quiet, staring at me for all of two seconds before he chirps, “You’re gonna fall in love.”

I roll my eyes. “God…”

“You’re gonna get married,” he keeps teasing while I grab my phone and shoot up from my chair, stalking away from him. But of course, he follows me, shouting, “Tate Eckhart has aboyfriend!”

“Grow up!” I snarl, stomping into the house. I go straight to the guest room and lock myself inside, staring at my phone.

Am I really going to do this??

It’ssomuch pressure…

I mean, damn. I was anxious about things with Lance before, but now that all these people are involved, I’m really freaking out.

I don’t do this. I don’t do… boyfriends.

I do other people’s boyfriends.

And speaking of, what the hell happened to Lance’s wife?? Why is he all gung-ho about this when he’s still married??

I guess for that reason, more than anything else, I text him Jake’s address. Because I need answers. I need closure on this.

I can’t have him following me around like a lost puppy anymore. We need to figure this out once and for all. And I’m going to stay strong…

I’m not going to let him weasel his way in with his pretty eyes and soft, pouty mouth, and giant muscles. That hair the color of vibrant sunshine…

I shake my head.Stand firm, here, Eckhart. You got this.

I wind up pacing the room for ten minutes until I hear Laura’s voice call out, “Tate! You have a visitor!”

“Yea, Uncle Tate! You have a visitor!” The twins mirror their mother’s words, and I’m cringing down to my soul.

This is so fucking awkward.

Taking a deep breath, I leave the room marching toward the front door. I can already see him out there, through the narrow windows on either side of the door; all squirmy with his hands stuffed into his pockets. As if he isn’t built like a professional wrestler.

Whipping open the door, I grit my teeth. “Oh, hey… It’s my stalker.”

Lance presses his lips together, like he’s trying to suppress a sheepish smile. I can feel eyes on my back, so I step outside and nod. “Let’s talk out here. Away from these nosey parkers.”

Trudging around the side of the house, my heart is leaping against my ribs, but I’m pretending it’s not. I can hear Lance following me, keeping up easily with my long strides. I don’t stop until I get us into the backyard, between the house and the pool house, where I’m sure no one can see or hear us.

I stop and spin to face Lance, folding my arms over my chest. Classic aggressive stance.I mean business.

“Okay… You got me.” I lift a brow, and he blinks. “I’m here…You’rehere, for some reason. Talk.”

But Lance doesn’t say anything. He shakes his head subtly, stepping forward.

I back up.

“Spill it, man…” I grunt, backing up more while he keeps inching his way into my space. “What was…soimportant…”

My nerves are rattling, and I gulp as he pushes up close to me. I startle when my back hits the side of the house.

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