Page 54 of From the Wreckage
Dad’s eyes narrow slightly as he studies me. “Why were you and Meghan at the bookstore?”
My mouth goes dry. I move to the fridge, gripping the handle like it’s a lifeline, praying he doesn’t notice the way my hands are shaking. “New thriller just dropped on Tuesday, but sold out immediately. We decided to check to see if it was back in stock.”
“Ah.” He nods, accepting it easily enough, but the guilt twinges in my chest anyway. I grab a bottle of water, twisting the cap with fingers that ache to touch Everett again.
“Did the two of you have fun?” Dad asks, drying off the sink.
I picture Everett and me in his bed last night and waking up in his arms this morning. “Yeah.” The lie slides out too smoothly. “We grabbed coffee, talked… You know. Girl stuff.” The guilt is like a knife in my chest. I don’t remember the last time I lied to my dad.
He smiles faintly. “Good. Glad you’re getting some girl time in.”
I murmur a reply, then retreat to my room as fast as I can without looking suspicious. The second the door clicks shut behind me, I drop onto my bed, pressing the cool bottle of water to my heated skin.
My necklace shifts against my collarbone, the little sunflower pendant warm from my skin. I touch it, my chest tightening. The memory of him giving it to me hits hard.
And then I’m grinning like an idiot, rolling onto my back as the memory of his hands on me floods my head. The hunger in his eyes when he drove himself inside me. The way he touched me, looked at me.
I stare at the ceiling. The jealousy over the guy talking to me in the coffee shop, the possessive growl in his voice, was sexy as hell.
I grab my phone, hesitating for a second before typing.
Me: I’m still buzzing. Can’t stop thinking about you.
The dots appear almost instantly, and I bite my lip, my stomach swooping.
Everett: You think you’re buzzing, angel? I’m ready to burn this whole damn world down just to have you again.
Heat surges through me, fierce and wild. My legs squeeze together as I clutch the phone to my chest, breathless.
This isn’t normal. This isn’t safe.
But nothing’s ever felt so right.
CHAPTER 37
Brielle
The bellabove the garage door jingles as Dad pushes inside, a box of parts balanced on one arm. “Kiddo, do me a favor?”
I set down the clipboard I’d been scribbling on. “Sure.”
“Run these envelopes over to the post office.” He hands me a small stack, already stamped and addressed. “And grab yourself a coffee after. Maybe poke around the bookstore. I’ll be tied up with Miller’s bike for a while.”
“Okay.” I force a smile, tucking the envelopes into my bag. A bookstore trip sounds heavenly… except I know I won’t be able to focus on a single word on a single page without thinking of Everett.
The post office is quick, the clerk taking the envelopes with a smile before sending me on my way.
Ten minutes later, I’m at Pine & Page, inhaling the familiar scent of roasted coffee beans, paper, and ink.
I order my iced caramel latte and wander toward the new releases display. The condensation from the cup slicks my palm as I run my free hand along a glossy spine.
A voice comes from behind me. “Hey, Brielle!”
I turn to see Lily, one of the employees, moving closer. She flashes me a smile, her apron tied over a bright sundress.
“Hey,” I say, mustering a smile.
She tilts her head, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “So… who was the hot older guy that came in here last week and nearly scared Jason out of his skin?”
