“No.”
“Not sure if that’s the right call, but if it’s what you want…”
She looks at me. Her eyes are full. Wet.I want you.
At least that’s what I imagine she’d say if she opened her mouth.
Instead, she nods. “Yeah. It’s better this way.”
“Right.”
“Yup.” She sucks in a breath. “Welp, goodnight, I guess.”
“Night, Billie.”
CHAPTER 17
Supper
RYDER
“Doy’all think I’m a mess?” I wipe my mouth on my napkin. “If so, how annoying is my messiness on a scale of one to five?”
You could hear a pin drop for how quiet it suddenly gets inside the New House’s kitchen.
Sawyer drops his fork.
Mollie’s eyes dance.
I didn’t necessarily plan to create a shock-and-awe situation at Sunday night supper. But I’ve been turning over so many thoughts and ideas in my head all weekend, and I guess I just…decided I would stop keeping it all in.
I’m learning the more I open up, the more the world opens up to me. And the more that happens, the less suffocated I feel.
The better I sleep.
I thought for sure I’d toss and turn all night, tortured by guilt, after having the most obscene sex ever with my best friend’s sister. While I still don’t feel great about keeping a secret from Colt, I sure as hell passed the fuck out when I got home. Slept twelve hours straight, only waking up when Duke came over to check if I had a pulse.
I slept wellagainlast night too.
Cash gives me a long, hard look. “Blink twice if you’re being held against your will.”
“By who?” Wyatt chuckles. “A random-ass alien that’s possessed him and is finally getting him to talk about things?”
Junie shoves a forkful of mashed sweet potatoes into her mouth. “I believe in aliens. Mom, can I be an alien for Halloween?”
“Sorry, June Bug. Remember we already bought your unicorn costume?” Ava asks.
“Fine. But you have to put money in the swear jar, Uncle Wy.”
My older brother has the grace to look sheepish. “Sorry, honey. I’ll put a five in.”
“Yes, it’s annoying.” Duke’s lips twitch as he sets his napkin beside his plate. “I’d give it a six.”
“Seven,” Cash corrects.
I push back my chair. “So much for tryin’ to keep it real?—”
“Aw, c’mon.” Sally puts a hand over mine. “You know they’re just busting your chops.”
