Page 55 of Wrecked Rose

Lyla:Griff, are you still in the garage?

Lyla:Beau is looking for you.

Lyla:Like everywhere.

Lyla:I didn’t know what to tell him.

Lyla:Oh, hell.

Lyla:Now Daph is looking for Max.

Lyla:And I don’t know if she knows what’s going on.

Lyla:She sees his SUV is still here.

Lyla:What do you want me to do?

Lyla:Oh, shit. He’s heading your way.

Lyla:Griff???

“Shit. Mine’s going off too.” Max pulls his phone out and thumbs it open.

I know before he says it that it’ll be Daphne looking for him.Fuck.

“It’s Daph.”

“Beau is looking for me.” I glance down, remembering I’m standing here with my jeans down around my knees and my semi-hard dick hanging out. “Fuck. Hold this, please.” I shove my phone into his hands and dive for my pants, tugging up my briefs first and tucking myself inside before yanking my jeans up my thighs and over my ass. I don’t even get a chance to fasten them because there are footsteps in the mudroom. I’d bet money those heavy footfalls belong to my brother.

Lunging to the side, I flick the light switch on and pull my shirt down over my gaping waistband all at once. In the bright overhead lights, Max and I both squint, trying to acclimate ourselves. The door to the house flies open.

Chapter 33

Max

Griff raises his voice, patting the hood of his dad’s Ferrari. “Dad couldn’t resist getting this baby, and it’s got all the bells and whistles. When we have less shitty weather, we can take it out for a spin if you want.”

I sigh, blowing out a breath, and put my hands on my hips, giving Griff the side-eye before forcing my attention to the vehicle next to us. “Yeah. It’s pretty sweet. I’d like that.” My smile is tight, and I wonder if Griff can tell I’m not super happy about this turn of events.

“Hey, you two,” Beau shouts from across the garage, “we’re doing our drunk-dude snow dive. We’ve been looking all over for you. We’ve got twelve fluffy inches in the yard and six of us diving. We’re looking for two more. You in?”

“Yeah, for sure.” Griff shoots his brother a forced grin—so fucking fake, it’s almost pathetic—then gestures to the car in front of us. “We couldn’t resist the draw of the pretty new sports car. Max was asking me about it earlier, and I figured it’d be a good way to get away from the craziness of the party for a bit.”

Beau nods his understanding, believing every bit of the lie his brother fed him. “Pretty slick, huh, Max?”

I’m sure Griff is wondering whether I’m going to go along with this. I hold my breath for a few seconds before I exhale. “Hell, yeah. I figure I’ve been coming around often enough it was about time I got to ogle this one up close.”

“Yeah, Dad’s Ferrari is pretty kick ass. If you take it out some time, find a long stretch of road and push the gas pedal down all the way. It’s awesome. Handles like a dream, too.” He waves us in. “Come on. Everyone’s waiting.”

Griff circles around the hood of the car and gestures that I should follow. “Yep. We’ll be right in. I want to have him sit in the driver’s seat. Give us two minutes.”

Beau nods. “Cool. But hurry. Shots are waiting.” He shoots us a goofy-ass grin before he shuts the door, leaving us alone again.

Well.That felt kind of crappy. I rub my hands over my face.

Griff wets his lip, and I swear he tries to say something no less than three times before he finally figures out what he wants to say. “Shit. I’m sorry, Max. But… I’m not ready to let people see us… together. It’s crazy enough that Lyla knows that I—” He swallows roughly.

I knew I’d have to be patient. But fucking hell. To be all but shoved into the closet after one of the most amazing experiences of my life? It’s a shock to the system.

---