Page 241 of Mountain Daddy
Not yet.
Luther leans back in his chair and crosses his closest leg over the other, his ankle on his opposite knee and his thigh over the top of mine.
I curl my hands under my chin, my elbows resting on his leg, and relax into him more.
I’ll move before my dad gets here.
Chapter 144
Luther
The main door opens,and Joe rushes inside, drink carrier in hand.
I lift the arm not around Kendra’s shoulders and hold my finger to my mouth.
I work to keep my muscles relaxed. Because if I act guilty, I’ll look guilty. But there’s nothing wrong with my friend’s daughter falling asleep beside me after an emotionally taxing event.
The fact she’s in my clothes, curled into my body, with her mouth pressed against my side… minor details.
And if it plants a seed in Joe’s mind… so be it.
He’ll be learning the truth soon enough anyway.
He glances at the form next to me, inhales like he’s going to say something, then does a double take.
His brows lift in shock, then his eyes narrow as he looks at me.
I speak first, cutting him off but keeping my volume low. “Who’s the fourth drink for?”
Joe looks down at the cardboard carrier like he forgot he was holding it. “Uh, Ethan.”
I shake my head. “I told you no.”
“Yeah, well” is his great comeback.
“What did you get him? Maybe she’ll want it.” I use my head to gesture toward the front desk. The woman, Brenda, is currently doing something on her phone and not paying any attention to us.
I didn’t tell Joe about the twenty-grand price tag for Ethan’s involvement, so I’m sure I sound like a dick, but I don’t think the man needs a thank-you drink.
“Vanilla latte.” He shrugs. “I played it safe.”
Joe gives Kendra one more look, then moves to sit on the other side of me.
When he acts like he’s going to sit directly next to me, I shove him with my elbow. “Move over.”
He scoffs, offended, as he leaves an empty chair between us. “Gee, sorry for trying to sit next to my best friend.”
That old guy left about ten minutes ago, meaning every single seat is open.
I roll my eyes. “You’re close enough.”
“You let Kenny sit next to you,” he grumbles as he twists the to-go cups around to read the names written on the sides.
“Yeah and? She’s not a smelly man. And she was cold. It was pouring rain when the accident happened.” I add on, answering the question of why she’s wearing my clothes.
Joe’s shoulders slump like he just remembered why we’re here. “He’s okay?”
A fox-shaped weight presses down on my chest. “I don’t know. No one’s come out since?—”
