Page 73 of Web of Lies
"What?" My upper lip twitches.
Evelyn places her hand on top of mine. "Not everyone needs to be pushed to their limits like Noah does. You two thrive on that. You rile each other up and tear each other down, and somehow it works. But that's not the norm." I snort and pull my hand back, raking it through my hair. "Kyle, you're emotionally intelligent, and you read people better than anyone I've ever met. You notice the small shifts and silences. But you hide behind your antics, and I know it's sometimes easier for you to crack a joke than to sit with someone else's pain." Her words cut deeper than I want them to. And for once I don't have a smart remark ready. She gives me a soft smile, but her eyes don't let me off the hook. "Just be gentle, patient, and control your shenanigans. She loves you, which means she'll put up with the stupid comments. Try to time them better."
I huff out a laugh, but it sounds flat even to me. "That's going to be difficult."
"You have it in you. I know that. And if you two need to get out of the city, you're welcome here."
"Thanks, at least one of the two of you is happy to have us here." At the comment, Evelyn sighs, though her lips twitch into a smile.
"Ignore Noah. He won't admit it, but he's nervous about the wedding. He wants to help. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken her hunting." She shrugs lightly. "You could have easily taken her yourself. And don't lie to me."
"That’s true." I let out a throaty chuckle, leaning back into the sofa. "But I wanted her to face more of her fears, and one of them just so happens to be Noah."
Evelyn arches a brow; her expression is caught somewhere between amused and knowing. "So, you thought it was a good idea to throw her right into deep water?"
"Exactly. If she can't handle Noah breathing down her neck, how the hell is she going to kill someone?"
"You have a point there."
"Yeah, I'd rather see her struggle now than drown later.
"That makes sense." Evelyn nods. "And hey, maybe she'll like him after that." A soft chuckle vibrates in her chest.
"She likes me despite knowing the truth, so she'll warm up to him eventually."
"Yeah, I'm still mad you kept it from me as well," she sighs.
Before I can respond, the sound of a car engine draws our attention. Shortly after, the door connecting the garage to the hallway opens, and Whiskey trots in, heading straight for his bed in the corner of the living room. Close behind him follows Riley. Her eyes are droopy, and she looks a little lost as she walks into the kitchen. I rise to my feet and meet her in a couple of long strides, placing my hand on the small of her back.
"How was it?" I ask.
"Good, I think." She looks at me with an exhausted half-smile.
"She actually did really well," Noah says as he walks past us toward the sink to wash his hands. Evelyn meets him with a big smile and plants a kiss on his cheek.
"But I didn't hit a deer," Riley says, prompting Noah to sigh as he turns and leans against the counter.
"You didn't. But you overcame your fear of shooting a living being. With some more practice, you'll be able to do it yourself."
"That sounds great, " I say, looking back at Riley, who leans into my touch and tilts her head back against my shoulder. The lack of sleep and the chaos of the morning are catching up with her. It's written all over her face: her eyelids flutter, and her posture is slouched and unsteady. For a moment, all I can focus on is how breakable she looks right now.
"I need to get out of these clothes," she mutters, her voice quiet.
"I'll be with you in a minute." Riley nods, her shoulders slump in exhaustion.
"Take your time. I'm going to take a long shower," she says as she pulls away from me and heads toward the hallway. Her steps are heavy as she drags herself upstairs. My gaze remains locked on her until she disappears, and I listen to the faint creak of the stairs, followed by the soft thud of the door to our room falling shut.
With a sigh, I turn back to face Noah and Evelyn. She's already got her arms wrapped around his middle, looking up at him.
"What do you think?" I ask, meeting Noah’s gaze.
"She’s on the right track," he says after a pause. "If I hadn't pressured her, I believe she would've hit the deer. With a bit more practice, she’ll get there and will be able to handle whatever comes her way."
"She didn't need to be pushed the first time." My tongue clicks against the roof of my mouth, a flicker of irritation lighting in my chest.
"You could’ve eased her into it." Evelyn chimes in, her brows knitting together.
"She won't have that luxury when it's real," Noah counters with a shrug as he wraps his arms around her. "Better she learns to handle the pressure now than when it's too late."
