Which, actually, was kind of a big deal. Wes didn’t like people in his house, not even us. I think Wyatt was the only one who had ever spent any real time there. The rest of us hung out in the garage.
Lydia shot a murderous gaze at me, like I was the one who’d started this whole debate, her hands planted firmly on her hips. “Seb, are you kicking me out?”
“No.” My response was clear and firm. She was welcome to stay at my place for as long as she needed to.
“Listen, I know that’s not what you agreed to,” Luke started.
“I know what I agreed to,” I told him, harsher than I intended. I turned back to Lydia. “You can stay as long as you need to.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate you looking out for her,” Luke said.
I tipped my beer back, chugging the rest of the can empty.
“I don’t need anyone looking out for me, Luke. I’m a grown-ass woman.”
“Lyds, calm down,” Wyatt started. I had to laugh. The man was getting married and had two daughters. He was about to learn real quick.
Lydia turned her murderous gaze to him in slow motion. “Did you seriously just tell me to ‘calm down’?”
“Wyatt, what the hell were you thinking?” Scarlett asked, staring at her brother-in-law with round eyes, appalled.
Claire’s jaw hung open, and she swung her head to look at Reid.
“Don’t look at me. I didn’t say it,” Reid said.
“You guys are ridiculous. This is why I moved to New York,” Lydia huffed, turning for the door.
“Where are you going?” Luke asked.
“Home,” she shot back.
He looked around the room. Luke had been a police officer with the Calla Bay Police Department for over six years. He had fought off a literal murderer just last year, but fear still laced his eyes. “I’m her ride,” he whispered.
I pulled myself up, trying to make sure it didn’t look too eager. “I’ve got her. I was going to take off anyway.”
I said bye to the crew and made my way to the door. Luke pulled me aside before I got there.
“Hey, seriously, thanks for taking her in. I know she can be tough sometimes, and the two of you don’t always get along.”
“She isn’t tough to get along with,” I said in her defense. Sure, Lydia was strong, independent, and sometimes feisty. She always had been, probably a byproduct of growing up surrounded by guys. I liked it when she pushed back, when she said it like it was. But, then again, I liked everything about Lydia.
“I know. I know. She’s been through some shit though. I don’t know what she’s told you, and it’s not my place to say. But there is no one I trust more than you and the rest of these assholes to look out for her. Don’t tell her I said anything, but I just wanted to say thanks again.”
She hadn’t told me. We’d talked about her time in New York, about her job and her friends. She’d told me stories as she opened up to me during our days together, but neveronce did she tell me she was going through shit.
It would make sense though. She wouldn’t have come home, jobless and broke, if she had another option or if things were going good for her. I didn’t know who I needed to hate, but someone had just made my list, and it was pretty small fucking list.
“It’s fine, Luke.” I forced a smile onto my face, the picture of my usual happy self. “I don’t mind having her at my place. I better get out there and give her a lift home now, before she hot-wires your car and takes off,” I laughed.
Luke looked toward the door as if he could see through it. I think we all knew that was a real possibility where Lydia Wilder was concerned.
Having Lydia at my place longer was the opposite of a hardship. It didn’t matter that we spent most days together while Lydia worked to create more content to help build my business awareness. I wanted her under my roof too. I wanted to come home to find her stretched out on the couch. I wanted to see her perched on the kitchen counter in her underwear. I wanted…
Fuck.Get your head on straight, Devereux. She’s still your best friend’s little sister.
It was possible this day just went from bad to worse. Only time would tell.
14
