I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “What if I mess it up?”
“You probably will. He probably will too. That’s how relationships work.” She squeezes my hand. “The question is whether you’re willing to try anyway.”
17
SHEPHERD
I’m halfway through calling Jake’s bluff when headlights sweep across the front windows. My attention snaps up before I can stop it and the room erupts immediately.
“There it is,” Jake says.
“Right on time,” Boone adds.
“What’s right on time?” Kyler asks.
Killian grins. “You mean who is right on time.”
“Shep’s distraction,” Bishop answers on my behalf.
“Fuck you all,” I mumble, though I don’t even bother denying it this time, because yeah, it’s her. I don’t need to see the car to know Sutton just pulled up. It’s weird, but it’s almost like a part of me can feel it when she’s near. That and I’ve been feeling guilty all day about the way I acted this morning. I should’ve texted her earlier about it, but I didn’t and it’s been eating at me all day. The engine shut off outside and then there’s nothing.
No door opening.
No movement.
Just her in the car.
Sitting there.
“She’s not getting out,” Kyler says.
Something in my chest tightens.
Fuck.
I forgot to tell her about tonight.
She’ll think she shouldn’t be here.
I’m already pushing back from the table before anyone says anything else.
“Be right back,” I mutter.
“Don’t scare her off,” Jake calls after me.
I ignore him, grabbing my beer on the way to the front door. The night air is cool when I step outside, quiet except for the faint creak of the car when she finally opens the door. She steps out slowly like she’s trying her best not to make any noise. Like she’s afraid to be seen.
“Hey.”
Her eyes flick up when she sees me and there’s that split second of surprise followed by the guarded softness I know she’s used to.
“Oh. Hey,” she says.
I lean casually against the porch railing, like I didn’t just abandon a poker game mid-hand. “Long night?”
She nods, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah. Busy.” Her gaze flicks past me toward the house, where the faint sound of voices and laughter carries through the open window.
“I’m so sorry, Shepherd,” she says. “I didn’t know you were having people over. I can go back into town if you?—”
