Page 50 of Vital Blindside

I’m aware of how this looks, but despite that, I can’t get myself to move away like I know I should. All I can think about is how perfectly I fit against him and that I’ve missed him since the last time we saw each other.

Someone in the group whistles, and it acts like a shock to my system. I take a step forward, and Adam’s body heat disappears, his hand dropping.

“That was hot,” Braden says. I find him fanning himself.

“You’re embarrassing us,” Tyler grumbles, staring at his brother. He offers me an apologetic smile. “See? What did I say? An asshole.”

Braden scoffs. “As if we weren’t all thinking it.”

“That’s the difference between you and everyone else. We thought it but didn’t say it,” Ava scolds.

My cheeks have to be just as red as my hair right now. They feel like they’re moments away from bursting into flames.

I can feel Adam’s eyes on me, but I can’t get myself to look at him. I’m tempted to jump off the side of the boat and swim to the dock.

Turning to Gracie instead, I ask, “Where’s the bathroom?”

After she tells me, I place a smile on my face and excuse myself.

ADAM

Scarlett’s panicking.

I turn to Braden and, for the first time in all the years we’ve known each other, have to hold myself back from punching him in the face.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I growl.

Ava gasps, but I only focus on Braden. This protectiveness is new for me—terrifying, even—but all I know is that I don’t ever want to see that look on Scarlett’s face again. Especially not because of someone I consider family.

“If you’re going to punch him, Adam, please do it somewhere the kids won’t be able to see,” Gracie sighs.

Braden whips his head in her direction. “You’re kidding me, Gray. I don’t deserve to be punched.”

“I would have already knocked your teeth in,” Tyler pipes up.

Braden snorts. “That’s because you have the restraint of a toddler.”

I give my head a shake and ignore them all as I follow after Scarlett. My fingers are still curled at my sides, and this feeling of desperation is nearly suffocating. I’m desperate to get to her and make sure she’s not completely freaking out.

For someone who doesn’t like meeting new people nor social gatherings, I can’t imagine being called out in front of a group of unfamiliar faces in an uncomfortable environment is very settling.

If I wasn’t late, maybe this wouldn’t have even happened, but I try to push that thought away. Scarlett is a big girl, and from what I saw when I arrived, she was handling herself just fine.

Her strength and confidence is what drew me to her in the first place. It’s one of my favourite things about her.

With how demanding my life is, I need someone that can handle themselves but also knows they can lean on me when the pressures of everything gets too much. She’s exactly that.

The bathroom door is locked, so I knock twice. “Scary Spice?”

“Leave me here alone to die of embarrassment.”

I laugh. “Not happening. Can you let me in?”

A huff and then the clicking of the lock. “Say one wrong thing and I’m kicking your ass,” she grumbles.

“No pressure.”

I turn the handle and open the door. She’s leaning against the vanity, her palms flush to the sides. When she turns to look at me, I swallow.

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