Page 26 of I Wish I Would've Told You

He’s still staring at me.

I try to read his eyes, wishing he could see the words in mine.

Stop letting her touch you…

As if he understands, he gently grabs Tully and lifts her off his lap, placing her on the ground beside him instead. She doesn’t seem the slightest bit offended; she keeps leaning close and snapping pictures.

“So, youateone and burned one?” Jeremiah’s laughter makes me turn around. “That wasn’t our deal.”

“Sorry.” I look down at my charred stick. “I’ll make you another one.”

“No, that’s okay.” He picks up a stick. “Let me show you how this is done.

I’m not sure how long we stand there talking about nothing, how I end up sitting next to him at the fire pit, but by the time I’ve had my third beer, I know that every second is pushing Easton closer to the edge.

He doesn’t laugh with everyone when there’s a joke or chime in when the frat guys and Jeremiah talk about their shared memories from last summer.

He sits silently, keeping his eyes on me.

“Psssst!Pssst!” Kevin slides between me and Jeremiah. “I need to borrow my friend from you, Jeremiah. I’m having a code red.”

“Okay.” He presses a kiss against my cheek, and Kevin’s eyes widen in surprise.

I don’t have to turn around to know that Easton is probably on the verge of fucking losing it.

Thankfully, Kevin pulls me away from the flames.

“Wait a minute.” I shake my head. “What does ‘code red’ mean again?”

“That you shouldn’t get too comfortable because your bestie may need to leave and he’s your ride home.”

“Honestly, the sooner we leave here the better.”

“May need to leavewith someone else,” he says. “You didn’t let me finish.”

“Sorry,” I say. “You’ve drank more than I have today so you’re getting an Uber back and we’ll take one here to get your car tomorrow.”

“Ugh, fine.” He tosses me his car keys.

“Is it me, or does Easton Rush look ten times sexier than usual today?”

“It’s you.”

“Nah, I don’t think so.” He tilts his head to the side. “He normally has that charming Adonis thing going on, but he looks pissed as hell. Madness looks way better on him.”

I resist looking in that direction and change the subject. “Tell me everything you know about this college guy.”

“I thought you’d never ask!”

Grateful for his distraction, I listen intently and memorize as many details about the guy as possible. Just in case he turns out to be a psycho or a serial killer.

“Can you at least let me get a few things out of my car before we leave it?” he asks.

“Sure.”

“Can you also promise me that you’ll go out with Jeremiah let him fuck you?”

“What?” I slap the back of his head. “No, Kevin.”

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