“I figured he’d be there or you’d be at his place. Although, the less you do in the house until you tell them, the better.”
“I know that. I would have told Dad the other day if he hadn’t joked that the only way he’d approve of me dating one of your friends was if he were dead.”
My brother whistled on the other end of the line. “I’d laugh if it wasn’t …” He trailed off.
“True? Yeah, me too.”
“I worry about you. Both of you actually. I have the bad feeling shit is going to implode soon.”
“I’ve had that feeling all summer.” A humorless laugh bubbled from my chest. “I love him, Jack. We love each other. I know you think I’m just a kid, and I don’t know any better, but—”
“I think you’re too smart for your own good. It’s the big, mushy heart that concerns me.” I heard the smirk in my brother’s voice.
“I’m fine, Jack.” I rolled my eyes, but a smile snuck up on me.
“I’ll let you go to sleep, Peege. Remember what I always told you about the house at night when you were little?”
“That it’s the same house as during the day with the same noises.”
“Right, and what else did I always say?”
My eyes welled. I’d been terrified of disappointing my family when they all found out about Dylan and me. Jack finally knew, and although he wasn’t exactly thrilled, he supported us. I loved my brother and wished he was here instead of an hour away. My big, mushy heart did give me a lot of problems.
“That you’d never let anything happen to me because you loved me biggest and best.” My voice cracked as an errant tear slipped down my cheek.
“And I still do. And I still won’t. Make sure the door is locked, and go to sleep.”
“I love you, too.” I sighed before I ended the call and curled up under the covers. Right before I was almost able to shut my eyes, the doorbell rang and scared the living daylights out of me.
I shot up from the bed in a panic. Who would be here at eleven o’clock at night? Grabbing my phone in case I had to punch out a call to 911, I almost leaped out of my skin again, when the phone vibrated in my hand.
DYLAN: It’s just me, baby. I should have texted before I rang the bell.
ME: You think? On my way.
I let out a long sigh of relief before I rushed to the door.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Dylan before I buried my head into his chest. “I thought you had to work.”
I pulled him inside and flicked on the hallway light. He was in worn jeans and a damp white T-shirt that clung to every muscle in his torso. He was dirty and sweaty and delicious. Made me forget how only two seconds ago I thought I was about to meet my demise.
“I left a couple of hours early. I know how you hate to be home alone at night.”
I lifted my head. “How do you know that? My brother told you, right?”
He shook his head and snaked his arm around my waist. “I slept here one night a long time ago when your parents had to rush out and left you with Jack and me. You slept at the foot of his bed because you were too terrified to go in your own bedroom.” He kissed my forehead and I leaned in. “Jack may have mentioned once that you still hated being alone, so I finished up as quickly as I could and let the guys handle the rest.” He cradled my face and brushed my lips with his. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
I reached up to squeeze his wrists. “Why can’t you stay all night? My parents aren’t home until late tomorrow night.” I jutted my lip in a pout before I kissed Dylan’s jaw. “Sleep with me.”
A growl erupted from Dylan’s throat. “I’d love to, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why? My parents are four hours away and not coming home until tomorrow.” My hands drifted down his shirt, while my mouth salivated to lick the sweat glistening off his neck. “My bed is a little small though; I’d have to sleep on top of you most of the night.” I lifted my eyes to Dylan’s, now a deep shade of feral brown.
“You play so dirty, Patricia,” he rasped before drifting his finger across my bottom lip.
“I could if you stayed.”
He groaned and dropped his chin to the top of my head.
