Page 42 of Promise Me Nothing
That guy had been friendly and open. A charmer. Dare I say he had been lowering walls he didn’t normally drop to talk to me about… well, I guess we didn’t talk about much. But it felt like we did.
This guy… Wyatt… is quickly morphing into someone who looks like he could light this building on fire with his eyes.
It makes me want to shrink back.
But before I can do or say anything, Wyatt turns his focus to Lucas, his nostrils flaring, his jaw tight. “You weren’t going to tell me?” he demands, his voice a low rumble that seems to fill the space around us.
Confusion hits me and I also look to Lucas, but I find his eyes focused firmly on Wyatt. Lucas remains silent, instead lifting his whiskey glass to his lips and taking a sip.
Wyatt lets out some sort of groan or grunt of frustration, his eyes looking at me once again before he suddenly turns and storms from the room.
I remain where I stand, my eyes following him as he drags his cloud of anger away. Then I look to Ivy, who is watching him go, a sad expression on her face.
She looks back at me.I better go,she says. Then she steps in and gives me a big hug.It was great meeting you Hannah. I hope we can still be friends even though my brother is the moodiest person I’ve ever met.
I nod, though my smile is weak.Absolutely.
She gives us both a wave, then heads off in the direction Wyatt just huffed off to.
When I turn to look at Lucas, I find him staring off towards that same doorway.
“What was that?” I ask, still confused. Still shocked. And if I’m honest, possibly a little bit more upset than I should be.
I don’t know Wyatt from Adam. We’d just had some playful banter. Some friendliness. I shouldn’t be expecting anything from him.
But I guess, that’s my naivety coming out to play. The very reason why I struggle to trust, even though I so desperately want to. I always seem to be left standing confused and wary.
Lucas shakes his head, letting out a long sigh. “It was just Wyatt being a moody asshole,” he says. “Come on. Let’s go buy something.”
Following his lead, I loop my arm with his, and let him walk us around the room, my thoughts feeling more jumbled than ever.
"I’m glad you came tonight.”
I look up from the book I’m reading to where Lucas is standing at the door to my bedroom. He’s wearing a pair of sweats and a tank top, likely also getting ready to climb in to bed.
“Thanks for inviting me.” I tuck a finger in to hold my spot and close the book, turning slightly onto my side where I rest snuggled in to the plush down comforter on my bed. “It was… an adventure.”
He huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. “Well, it was great having you there. And I’m sure Ivy enjoyed having someone to chat with.”
I nod. “I’m surprised more people aren’t receptive to her. I mean, no offense, but if you’ve known her all her life, why haven’tyoulearned to sign?”
Lucas looks away. “I should have. I just… I guess I was too self-absorbed to realize the difference it could make.” When he looks back at me, I see regret swimming in his eyes.
“I didn’t say that to hurt your feelings.”
“I know. I know you didn’t. But it still hurt, even if it’s my own fault, you know?”
I shift my position and rest my chin on my hand, my elbow pressed in to the cushy mattress topper. “I’d be happy to teach you, if you want to, like, learn a little bit and surprise her? Maybe?”
He smiles at that, crosses his arms and leans on the doorframe. “Something tells me that you’re just naturally a person who thinks about others before thinking about herself. That might be my favorite thing about you so far,sis.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t know how I feel about this wholesisthing. How aboutyour highness.I’d even takeLady Hannah.”
Lucas laughs.
“What? I was on aGame of Throneskick before I came here. Lady Hannah has a ring to it, don’t you think?”
“Well, I have every subscription and streaming service imaginable in this house. You should pick a new show and we can watch it together.”
