Page 69 of From the Wreckage
When Dad pulls back, his eyes are full of concern. “Sorry Joey was an ass. Again.” He reaches over and claps Everett’s shoulder. “Thank you, man. You’re a damn hero.”
I exhale a relieved breath.He doesn’t suspect anything.
Dad eyes me. “Maybe it’s best if Everett sticks close. Goes with you when you run errands. Just until we’re sure Joey backs off. I’d feel better knowing someone’s with you when I’m at work.”
I force a smile, but my stomach knots. Dad thinks Everett’s protecting me. He has no idea that he just gave us every excuse to keep being together.
CHAPTER 47
Everett
Grayson’s wordsecho inside my head, slamming into me like a punch.
“Thank you, man. You’re a damn hero.”
My chest goes tight, and my jaw clenches.Hero.If he knew the truth, he’d never say that word to me again.
I force a nod, my throat too tight to speak, while inside, the guilt tears me apart. I don’t deserve his gratitude. Not when I just had his daughter’s thighs wrapped around me as I drove my dick inside her. Not when mere minutes ago, she was clinging to me, crying my name like I owned her.
And Christ, I do own her. The thought is poison and salvation in one breath.
Grayson doesn’t notice the storm in me. He’s already moving toward the fridge, pulling out two beers like he’s shaking off the tension Joey caused. “Seriously, Everett. That means a lot. Makes me feel better knowing she’s got you watching her back.” He hands me a beer.
My gut twists.Watching her back. He thinks I’m guarding her, standing between her and danger. If he only knew Iamthe danger. That every time she looks at me, I burn. That everysecond I resist her feels like dying, and every second I give in feels like damnation.
My breath catches in my lungs. He just gave me permission to spend time with her until she returns to college.
I catch her eyes over her dad’s shoulder. They are full of panic, silently pleading with me. She’s terrified he’ll see the truth. And God help me, the sight makes me want her all over again.
I drag a hand over my face, hiding the war inside me. “Yeah,” I manage finally, my voice gravelly. “I’ll make sure she’s safe.”
Safe.The word tastes like ash.
I can protect her from Joey. From the whole damn world. But who’s going to protect her from me?
Grayson claps me on the shoulder again, pulling me from my thoughts. His touch is as easy as ever, as if he hadn’t just walked in on the aftermath of the biggest betrayal of his life. “Tell you what—why don’t we head into town, grab some wings at The Timberline? Been a long day. My treat.”
I school my features into something resembling casual, even as every muscle in my body locks up. The thought of sitting across from him, drinking a beer like nothing happened, while his daughter’s taste still lingers on my tongue…Christ.
But what choice do I have? Saying no would only raise his suspicions. Plus, it’s not like I’m going to head back into town for groceries. So I nod. “Sure. Sounds good.”
“Perfect,” he says, grabbing his keys. “Bri, you up for it?”
Her head jerks up, her lips parted like he just suggested setting her on fire. “Uh—yeah,” she says too quickly, then tries to cover it with a small smile. “Wings sound great.”
Wings.The last thing she wants is wings. She swallows hard, looking almost sick at the thought of having to pretend everything is normal.
Luckily, Grayson doesn’t notice. He’s humming to himself, already halfway out the door.
We fall into step behind him, side by side, and I don’t dare look at her. Grayson sits in the passenger seat, chattering away about the restoration he’s going to be doing in his shop this week.
She sits in the middle, her hands in her lap. Her thigh presses against mine. Just the slightest brush. But the heat of it damn near buckles me. My grip on the steering wheel tightens, my knuckles bone white.
When we pull into The Timberline, I make myself breathe, whispering a mantra to myself.Play it cool.
Grayson takes the lead, weaving through the crowded bar to a booth in the corner. He drops down with the ease of a man at home. I slide in opposite him, and Bri slides in beside her dad.
But her eyes—God, her eyes—cut to mine the second Grayson waves down the waitress. The gold flecks in them burn with a secret only we share.
