Page 55 of Always Will
“How do you know?”
“Because there’s nothing to hate.” The genuine confusion in his eyes makes me swallow my rebuttal. I don’t think this man has a hating bone in his body. “Besides, you should be more worried about all the hugging.”
“Whathugging?”
With a smirk, he gets out of the car.
“Trevor,” I shriek as he walks around the rental. “What hugging?” There must be a distasteful look on my face because I’m met with a tickled laugh when he opens my door.
“Mom, especially. Oh, Lainey too.”
“You know I’m not a hugger…”
Shrugging, he offers me his hand. “You’re gonna get loved on this week, Willa. Consider this your warning.” He holds on tight, pulling me in close as we walk toward the estate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
TREVOR
We don’t even make it to the door before Eli flings it open and leans against the frame, dark brown skin illuminated by the porch light. He rubs a hand over his short afro, the sleeves of his blue Omaha University hoodie bunched around his elbows. One look at Willa’s hand in mine, and he breaks out in a wide grin. “A friend, huh? You know you’re not foolin’ anyone, right? You’re engaged or eloped or somethin’.”
I drop Willa’s hand and pull him into a hug. “Keep it up and you’ll be the one to tell Mom why I hopped back in the car.”
“You’ll be back for graduation next year anyway. She’ll live.” Eli laughs and claps me around the back. “Missed you, bro. Who’s yourfriend?”
Reaching for Willa’s hand again, I tug her closer, flashing a smile when her eyes widen with nerves. “Willa, this is li’l doofus. Eli, Willa.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Willa.” He shakes her hand but hangs on as he calls over his shoulder, “Ma, Tre knocked someone up!”
Willa snatches her hand back and turns wide eyes on me. “You already told him?”
I sigh, scratching my head. “Nope.”
Eli’s eyes dart between us as realization dawns on him. “Oh shit, Tre… You really did?”
“Will you move so we can come inside?” I say through gritted teeth, shooting a narrowed glare that makes him step back. I nudge Willa ahead of me and help her shrug off her puffy coat as she marvels at the large wagon wheel chandelier above us.
“Tre?” she whispers, quirking her brow.
“You’re not the only one with nicknames.” Stepping around her, I hang her coat on the clawfoot rack in the entryway. My wet boots squeak against the maple hardwood as I step out of them and set them in the tray by the door. Willa follows suit, leaving hers next to mine. The door closes behind us as Eli tuts playfully.
“E, don’t start,” I warn.
“I didn’t say any?—”
“Very funny, Elijah.” Mom’s voice reaches us before she rounds the corner. She smiles when she sees me, settling her readers on the top of her head to pull her pressed black hair out of her face. “Trevor knows better than that.”
She’s so short, I have to stoop so she can wrap her bangle-clad arms around my neck. Her long cardigan billows around our ankles, warm vanilla perfume welcoming me home like it did when I was a child. “Hey, Ma.”
She rocks us side to side. “Oooh, I’ve missed my Trevor hugs. Once a year is not enough!” Leaning back, she pats my cheeks with a watery smile. “Now introduce me to your friend over here.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Jones,” Willa says with an outstretched hand.
“Beautyandmanners? Maybe you can teach my boys a thing or two. Lord knows they don’t listen to me.” She secures Willa’s hand between hers, patting it softly.
“This is Willa. Gem, this is my mom.”
“Oh? A friend with a special name?” Mom pins me with a knowing look, then smiles at Willa, dropping her hand to wave us toward the kitchen. “Well, dinner’s already on the table.”
