Page 34 of From the Wreckage
She leans into me, just for a beat, before pulling back and swallowing hard. “Come inside. Before Dad wonders.”
I let her go, even though every cell in me wants to keep her here, hidden in my arms.
But as she slips past me toward the door, one thing is burning, unshakable, in my chest. I’ll never let Joey—or anyone—hurt her again.
I follow behind Bri, forcing myself back inside. I’m still wound tight, my shoulders tense, fists aching from how close I came to putting them through Joey’s face.
The dining room hums with polite conversation again, though the tension lingers like smoke after a fire. I take my seat, every muscle rigid, keeping my attention on Bri. She’s already in her chair, smiling at her dad like nothing’s wrong, but I see the tremor in her hand.
Grayson nods at the pie in the center of the table, his smile returning as though he can will the night back into something normal. He cuts slices and passes them out. When he gets to me, his expression softens.
“Everett,” he says, his tone steady and heartfelt, “Thank you. First, you helped Bri after the accident with the deer… And now tonight.” His eyes linger on his daughter for a moment before returning to me. “You’re a good man.”
The words land like a weight in my chest. I shift in my chair, guilt flooding me.
If he only knew.
If he had any idea about the storm inside me—how I want his daughter in ways I shouldn’t, how I’m already too far gone to turn back, he wouldn’t be thanking me.
I clear my throat, forcing my voice to sound casual. “Anyone would’ve done the same.”
Bri glances at me from across the table, her eyes telling me she knows better. That no one else would’ve. That I didn’t just step in—I claimed her as mine in the only way I could.
I dig my fork into the pie, pretending it doesn’t taste like ash in my mouth when Grayson claps my shoulder. “You’re too modest. Which makes you an even better man.” He slides into his chair and lifts his beer bottle. “Let’s make a toast to Everett. A good man who rescued my daughter. Twice.” He smiles, and everyone clinks their bottles and glasses together.
Bri meets my eyes as she clinks her glass with mine, watching me over the rim as she takes a sip of her wine.
When she sets the glass down, her tongue slides out, licking the drops that remain on her lips away. I’ve never been so fucking jealous of wine in my life.
I force myself to look away.
Taking a pull off my beer, my gaze moves to Grayson. He looks up, smiling at me like I’m his best friend, then turns his attention to Tom when he asks him about his business.
Guilt has me in a stranglehold. All I can think is, if he knew the truth, he’d see I’m anything but.
Her leg bumps mine beneath the table, heat scorching through me. My eyes find hers, and I suck in a breath at the simmering challenge in them. She shoots me a flirtatious smile, and I nearly come undone. Tugging at the collar of my shirt, I try to mask how hot I suddenly feel.
As much as I like and respect Grayson, there’s no way in hell I can let go of his daughter.
I clink my bottle against hers, pretending I’m not one heartbeat away from dragging her into my lap in front of everyone.
Grayson keeps smiling at me like I’m the man he can trust.
He has no idea I’m already gone for his daughter.
CHAPTER 24
Brielle
Dessert feels endless.
Every time Dad looks away, I sneak another glance at Everett. My lips quirk in a knowing smile. I catch the way his jaw flexes, his fingers tightening on his beer bottle like he’s fighting himself.
It thrills me.
I’ve never felt sexier. Never felt more powerful than in this quiet tug-of-war between us, hidden in plain sight. The heat in his eyes makes me want to keep pushing. To keep tempting him.
When Dad suggests we sit outside, I nearly sigh in relief. On the back deck, he gets a fire going in the pit, humming to himself as sparks float into the evening air.
