Page 59 of When We Were Us
“Mom said they really need blankets, towels, and both men’s and women’s clothes. With everything already donated, she said this could be one of the biggest years yet. That goes for fundraising, too,” Norah adds and nods toward me. “Anything the shelter here can’t use will go to the big one in Billings. I’m sure they’d appreciate anything you could add.”
“Sounds great. I already have four big boxes I was looking to take to Goodwill.”
I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and pull it out. Another text from Derek. You’d think he’d give up after being ignored. No such luck.
Derek
You can’t avoid me forever, Wren.
Stop being a bitch about this and answer me.
Don’t make me come there. Trust me, you won’t like the outcome.
The messages are getting more belligerent as time goes on, and is he threatening me?Hell.I know at some point I’m going to have to have a conversation. Derek never treated me badly when we were together, but now that I’m not just giving into what he wants, he’s starting to show his true colors.
Swiping the message away without a reply, I slide my phone back into my pocket.
“Whew!” Hayley fans herself and pulls her long, light brown hair off the back of her neck as she sashays back to the table. Hank’s a step behind her.
“Thanks for the dance,” she says and plops down next to Hudson. She looks across the table and lifts her chin at Norah. “Shove over, Norah, so Hank can sit.”
“I think that's the most Hank has danced in years. I’m surprised you even remember how to two-step, Gramps,” Hudson says as the twins scoot toward Finn. I watch as Hank folds his six-foot-four frame into the itty-bitty booth with a grunt and a small smile at Norah. To Hudson, he makes a face and mouths,fuckyou.
He drapes a long arm along the back of the booth and takes the offered water glass Norah hands him, bringing it to his lips. Long, thick fingers casually grip the water glass, and my eyes move over his forearms?—
God, what is it about a man’s forearms? I remember the way he grabbed my arm in the kitchen, yanking me against him. A dull throb starts in my core when I think about those hands on me.
I watch his throat work as he swallows. His Adam’s apple covered in stubble might just be my new favorite thing.
Is it hot in here?
“Wren?” I hear Finn call my name as if from underwater, and then Hank clears his throat.
My head snaps up and I catch him watching me. Scratch that—he catchesmewatchinghim. He has a sexy smirk on his face, his eyes are all dark and intense, and there’s no scowl in sight.
Damn.
I’m already caught. So, I slowly drag my gaze from him to Finn. I hope I sound casual as I say, “Sorry, what?”
“I need the restroom.” Finn gestures beside me, where Hayley and Hudson have moved. They are standing beside the table, waiting for me to move my ass so she can get out of the booth.
“Right. Sorry,” I say, sliding across the seat in an awkward lift, scoot, and lift motion.
Finn slides out and stands, before turning back, patting her pockets as if she’s looking for something.
“Does anyone have a hair tie?” She addresses the table of women. “It’s hotter than balls in here.”
“Here,” comes Hudson’s reply. He fishes underneath his watch and pulls out a black hair tie from around his wrist.
“Thank you, Huddy,” she says. “Thank God for girl dads.” She smiles and pats his chest before gathering her hair up in high ponytail.
He gives her a wink.
A deep voice with a rough country twang comes through the speakers.
“This one’s for all the ladies in the house tonight. If you feel like stompin’ those boots and singin’ at the top of your lungs, come on out to the center of the dance floor! The band is gonna take ten. Come on ladies, let's see what you got!”
Finn stops in her tracks. Her gaze is trained on the lead singer as she grabs my hand tightly.
