Page 62 of Grave Misgivings
I thinka lot about Zeb’s words as we head back to his place to shower and get ready to meet my parents and my sister for dinner and cocktails.
Thank God there will be alcohol, because I’m not sure I’d be able to do this sit down family dinner with my parents without it, given that the day’s already been pretty emotionally taxing.
I glance at Zeb, noting the way his dark hair blows in the wind, his facial hair stark against his pronounced, tanned jaw, the length of his thick lashes, set against the desert sky.
So make it up to me now.
God, where do I start?
My phone goes off, and I see that it’s Mateo.
How’s your research going?
I glance at Zeb, tapping out my reply as The Used’sI Caught Fireblares through the speakers.
It’s complicated.
Mateo texts me back quickly.
No, it isn’t. You’re just overthinking it.
I huff out an aggravated sigh. Easy for him to say.
Zeb casts me a look. “Who’s that?”
“Mateo.”
I don’t miss the way Zeb’s hand grips the steering wheel or the way his jaw sets.
What does he have against Mateo?
Mateo texts me back.
I don’t know how to do any of this, Mateo. Literallyanyof it.
“What’s he want?” Zeb asks.
“Just checking to see how things are going,” I say. It’s not a complete lie.
“You guys are pretty close, I take it?” he asks smoothly.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “Yeah, I guess he’s kinda like the closest thing I have to a best friend in the biz.” I shrug. “We’ve been on tour a couple of times together.”
Zeb grips the steering wheel as my phone chirps. I look down at the screen.
Dare says you should do “the lean.”
What the fuck is thelean? I text him a question mark.
When you’re alone, feeling comfortable, lean into his space. If he leans in, too, it’s a pretty good indicator he probably wants you to kiss him.
My cheeks heat and I slam my phone down in my lap, turning to look out the window.
The reality of what we’re talking about hits like a thousand bricks.
“What’s he saying?” Zeb asks as he stops at a red light.
“Nothing.” I glance back at Zeb, who is raising an eyebrow at me, and I feel my phone vibrate against my cock. Which clearly has a mind of its own.
