When I came back upstairs, Aiden and Becky were sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner. “There’s a plate for you in the microwave,” Becky told me, gesturing with her fork to the counter.
“Thanks but I’m going out for dinner tonight,” I told her, pausing to ruffle Aiden’s hair.
“Really?” Becky said, skeptically eyeing me. My heart ached a little, a dull ache that I shoved into the back corner of my mind. I didn’t need to get all worked up and depressed that my family didn’t trust me yet.
“Yeah, really. I’m picking Elle up for seven,” I answered, trying to keep my tone light. Five years ago, I would have lashed out at her, pissed off and angry at the world. Sometimes, it’s hard to turn over a new leaf. Your old skin calls to you, because it’s familiar and easy and it doesn’t take work, but I was determined to leave that person behind forever.
Now concern truly did line Becky’s face. She shook her head a little, biting down on her lip. “Do you honestly think that’s a good idea?” she asked, working to keep her tone neutral.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
My sister sighed, glancing towards her son. It was evident this wasn’t a conversation she wanted him to partake in, or to overhear. “Elle’s with somebody else now, Braden.”
“She still deserves an apology,” I responded, already walking out the door. I closed it on her reply.
I wasn’t entirely surewhoBecky was trying to protect—me, or Elle, but I couldn’t even be angry at her for it. She was the cautious one. She guarded her heart and the heart of her loved ones fiercely. I hadn’t seen her date or show an interest in anyone since Aiden’s father, and I knew she was messed up from that still. I knew he’d broken something in her, and when I got to thinking about it—I wanted him to pay more than he had. The beating provided by Brock that landed him in the hospital with his jaw wired shut didn’t seem like much compared to the cautious, fearful way my sister now lived.
By the time I pulled up the Thompson driveway, I was completely keyed up. I jumped out of my truck, leaving it running, and walked up the wooden steps of the front porch. Just as I raised my hand to knock, Elle’s mother walked into the foyer.
Sue Thompson had always scared me a little bit. You’d think it would have been easier to date a girl whose father wasn’t around. Elle’s old man might not be sitting on the front porch shining his shotgun, but Sue sure would be. She was terrifying, and she once told me that if I ever hurt her daughter, she’d castrate me herself using the antique cattle bull castrating knife that had been in her family for centuries. Elle had certainly inherited her mother’s brash, fierce personality.
“Sue,” I said by way of greeting. She pursed her lips with displeasure, and my heart sank a little in my chest. Sure, Sue had been terrifying at first, but she’d quickly warmed up to me and made me feel like a part of the Thompson household. I always got the sense that she rooted for me. Right now, I definitely didn’t have that sense.
“Braden,” her tone was cold, almost calculating, and she made no move to open the door for me. I stood there awkwardly for what felt like hours but was really only less than a minute before Elle descended the stairs.
She hadn’t changed from the outfit she had worn earlier. I knew this was Elle’s way of reinforcing thatthis was not a date,but it was hard to be upset about that when the sundress she was wearing kissed her thighs and clung to her curvy body. My hands were already itching to touch her, to peel off that thin layer of material and—
“I’ll be home shortly, Mom,” Elle’s words broke me from my overtly sexual thoughts, and I raised my eyes to watch as she grabbed her jean jacket from the coat rack. “The second dinner is done,” she added, her eyes flitting to me to make sure I understood that this wasjust dinner.
“Sounds good honey,” Sue said in response, her cold eyes still on me. A smirk danced across her lips, and she shook her head. “Try not to do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Yeah, leave the castrating knife at home,” I interjected with a cocky grin, knowing exactly what Sue had meant. Elle frowned, looking confused. I’d never filled her in on that little chat her mother had with me the first time Elle brought me home. Sue grinned, pleased that I remembered and delighted that I’d caught her veiled threat.
“Let’s just get this over with,” she sighed, resigned. I arched a brow, pushing open the screen door and holding it open for her.
“Try not to look too excited,” I said dryly. “I wouldn’t want my ego to burst.”
Elle smirked and chose not to reply as she walked through the doorway. Her arm was inches away from brushing against my chest, and my body responded immediately. “Catch ya later, Sue,” I added, letting the screen door close behind me as I followed Elle down her porch steps.
I appreciated the view of Elle’s fine ass the entire time she walked towards my truck. She opened the door, climbing inside and practically slamming it my face when I attempted to do the gentlemanly thing and close it for her. Her devious smile grew, as if she was pleased by the dumbfounded look on my face.
I arched a brow and walked around the front of the truck, then climbed in behind the wheel. This truck was riddled with memories, and they deeply affected me even when Elle wasn’t sitting in the passenger seat. Now all I could think of was all the times we’d hooked up in the cab.
Judging by the pink tint to Elle’s cheeks, she was remembering those times too.
I closed the door and turned to face her, our eyes instantly locking. She drew in a shaky breath, and I knew that she was unnerved by the intensity of my desire. “You look incredible, Elle,” I said, my voice catching a little on the lump in my throat.
“This isn't a date,” she rolled her eyes, breaking the contact.
“I know.” The smile I wore was genuine. Even if Elle spent the duration of this evening insulting me, I was happy enough to simplybein her company, to hear her voice again and have her attention directed on me—even if it wasn’t positive attention.
I took her to the fanciest restaurant in town—the same one we'd gone to when Brock and Tessa told us all they were engaged, The Dock. The waitress led us to a table for two in the corner. The lightening was soft and romantic, the gentle glow enhancing the beauty of Elle's skin.
She didn't wait for me to pull her chair out, she did it herself with a defiant look on her face. She was still fighting this—fighting us. I couldn't help but smile in response as I pulled out my own chair.
The waitress asked us for our drink orders. Elle ordered a glass of wine and I asked for a coke. Elle's brows furrowed as she assessed me. “What's up with that?” she asked pointedly, gesturing to the waitress as she walked away.
“With what?” I tried to play stupid. I didn't exactly want to dive into how messed up I'd been after my mom's death. I knew it was something she'd need to hear eventually, but I had hoped I could enjoy her company a little longer.
