Hattie Ward is mine.
And I guess I've got until Tye's wedding to prove it.
"Sounds good," I say, swallowing hard. Jesus Christ. We're really doing this. My heart thumps against my ribcage like a drum calling the troops to war.
Hattie squeals beside me, flinging her seatbelt off. Before I can even react, her tits are against my arm, and her lips are against my cheek.
"Thank you, thank you, thank yo—"
I cut off her squeal by turning my head, just enough so her lips land against mine. Her eyes instantly go wide, her body going rigid. She's too stunned to move, and too fucking sweet to resist.
I flick my tongue against the seam of her lips, taking a tiny taste before I pull back like it was an accident. My cock says different, but she'll figure that out later. And unlike the last asshole she dated, I don't need her to quit her job at the library or cater to me to have my babies.
I just need her to realize that she's already mine.
Chapter Three
Hattie
"Ihave to tell you something," I announce, dropping my tote on Tye's coffee table. It lands with a thud, making him scowl.
"Jesus Christ, Hattie. How many books do you have in that thing?"
"My books weigh less than your stupid foot," I grumble, staring pointedly at the boot he has propped on the table. "Worry about yourself, Tyler."
His lips twitch into a grin. "You know what they say about big feet."
"Yeah, small brain. Also, gross. How are you possibly getting married?" I prop a hand on my hip, glaring at him. "You have the mentality of a twelve-year-old."
"Vanessa loves me."
I soften when he grins like he won the lottery. Honestly, he probably did. Vanessa is amazing. I love seeing my brother head-over-heels. He annoys me most of the time, but he's not too bad at being in love. It's honestly shocking.
I expected Briggs to get hitched first. He's easy to love. I don't think Harlan will ever get married. He's too set in his ways, and he basically talks to no one ever. Honestly, he might be a bigger grouch than Sidney.
"So…I should get her a sympathy card for the wedding?" I tease Tye.
He just grins at me, his expression soft. "What did you rush over here to tell me?"
My heart leaps into my throat, my anxiety kicking into high gear. "Pinky promise you won't get mad," I say, holding out my pinky to him. He never breaks a pinky promise, so it's better to start there, right? Right. Otherwise, he may rat me out just to ensure I never date. If he had his way, I'd probably die alone.
But there is no way I'm going to his wedding with Cory Jenkins. I'll fake my own death first.
I'm not so sure going with Sidney is such a good idea anymore, either. Without the false bravado that comes with vodka, I've been in my head about it all day. Mostly because he kissed me last night. He pretended it was an accident, but I don't think it was.
I don't know what that means!
Tye leans forward, hooking his pinky through mine, and it's too late to back out. "Spill, Half Pint."
"I hate when you call me that."
"Not my fault you stopped growing when you were twelve," he says with a shrug.
"It's not my fault you, Briggs, and Harlan still haven't stopped growing," I complain. "I mean, honestly. Who needs to be six and a half feet tall? It's so unnecessary."
Tye's lips twitch. "Jealous, aren't you?"
"Shut up."
