Page 97 of Love Me Steadfast
“Is this why you lost your shit in there?” Theo yells. “Because you’ve got a thing for my sister? I trusted you!”
Theo shoves him against the house, cracking his head on the wood.
“I don’t have a thing for her,” William replies in a hard tone, his eyes finding mine. “I care about her. I have for a long time.”
Theo snorts. “Un-fucking-believable.”
William straightens, his jaw set. “You need to beat the shit out of me, go ahead. But it won’t change how I feel.”
Theo punches him square in the gut. William crumples over Theo’s arm, panting in pain.
“Stop it!” I shout, and claw at Theo’s arm. “I don’t want either of you hurt!”
“I thought you were my friend,” Theo says, shoving Will against the wall again, his hand gripping Will’s neck.
William just stares him down. “I will never hurt her.”
“You can’t promise me that!”
I pound on Theo’s side. “Let. Him. Go!”
Theo steps back, breathing hard. “Was it always about her?” He glances at me, but it’s like he’s seeing through me. Or maybe he’s seeing a version of me that doesn’t fit with what he’s just learned.
“Theo, you’re not thinking clearly,” I grit out. Our family therapist’s calm words flood my mind.When we’re activated, our brains can’t think logically. “When you calm down, we’ll work this out.”
Theo spins away. “I don’t want to work it out.”
William slides his hand into mine as we watch Theo cross the street, his shoulders hunched.
"I’m sorry,” William says, gazing down at me, remorse in his eyes. “That didn’t…exactly go like I wanted it to.”
“You’re hurt,” I say, reaching up to stroke the side of his cheek.
“It’s fine.” He rubs his thumb across my knuckles.
Adrenaline ebbs hard inside me, making the world feel like it’s slowing down. “Did you mean all of those things?”
William draws me to his chest and wraps his arms around me. “Every word.”
I gaze up at him, emotions I’ve buried swirling to the surface. “I’ve missed you.”
He gives me a half smile, then leans down, brushing his lips across mine, sending a ripple of heat under my skin. “Does that mean you’re ready to quit fucking around and be my girlfriend?”
I laugh, but the emotions keep cracking open inside me, flooding my chest. “If you’re sure you want me.”
“Fuck yes, blackbird,” he says with a laugh, then winces. He brushes my hair behind my ears, his eyes so intensely blue I could get hopelessly lost in them. “Let me show you just how sure.”
Chapter Thirty
CHARLOTTE (AGE 17)
“What’s got you blushing, sassafras?”Emmie asks as she climbs into my little Volvo.
The text Will sent me just before I left the house flashes through my mind. Who knew underneath that cocky swagger was a gooey cinnamon roll romantic? “I might have a hot date this weekend.”
“Does this date happen to be with the captain of the football team? Six four, dark blue eyes, panty-melting smile?”
I laugh this off, even though she’s right. My panties haven’t stood a chance. “That’s the one.”
