But as hard as I try not to think about him, I can’t stop. He dances through my brain for the rest of my shift, and I’m exhausted by the time closing rolls around. We always close up earlier on Sunday nights, and it’s just after ten as Jed and I walk to his car.
Thankfully, he hasn’t mentioned another word about Tyrell. All I want to do right now is go home, have a really long, hot shower, then curl up in bed and sleep so I don’t have to think anymore.
Curl up into a little ball and try not to feel, you mean?
I scowl at the irritating taunts in my brain and glare out the windshield.
Jed still hasn’t started the engine, and after a long beat, I turn to him and snip, “Can we go, please?”
“Are you sure you want to go home?”
“Yes!” I give him an emphatic look.
He snickers, starting the engine and teasing me. “You’re not gonna be able to sleep.”
My reply is a threatening growl, but unfortunately, next to this big lug, I’m more like a chihuahua than the threatening bear I want to be.
“He’s the one who lights you up, girl.”
“Shut up,” I warn him.
“He’s the one who puts the biggest smile on your face.”
“Stop talking.”
“He’s the one who made youfeelsomething when you kissed.”
“Jed!” I slap my thigh.
“Look, I know you don’t want to hear all this stuff. The truth sucks sometimes, butthis truthdoesn’t. This is a good, happy, beautiful truth that you’re denying yourself out of fear. No good decision has ever been made out of fear, and I can’t sit silently by while you ignore all your feelings.”
I cross my arms, slumping back in my seat and clenching my jaw.
“If Tobin was here, he’d be saying exactly the same thing. Except louder. And faster.” Jed grins. “And with a lot more sass.”
I snort, shaking my head and fighting a soft snicker.
Jed lets out a sigh, and I can’t think what to say next.
He’s right. Tyrell liking me, wanting to kiss me… being really good at it… those are all beautiful truths, and I can’t even understandwhyI’m denying myself.
The fear thing is probably correct too.
Dammit. I had no idea I was so transparent.
My eyes start to burn as I glare out the window, not even paying attention to where Jed’s driving until he starts to slow and work his way through a part of town I don’t recognize.
“Where are we going?” I whip around to look at him.
He works his jaw to the side, quietly murmuring, “Don’t hate me.”
“What?”
“I’m doing this because I love you.”
“Jed, what the hell?” I snap.
Turning onto a street full of houses, he heads about two-thirds down, then pulls to a stop outside an old Victorian-style villa. There are a bunch of cars parked in the driveway and lights on in four of the windows.
