We reach the end of the hallway and I offer my hand to Lucas. “Thanks for your help.”
“Sorry, I snapped at you.”
“You can call me a famous football player anytime.” I wink at him, and he laughs.
I usher Otis and Addy out of the station, through the courthouse, to my SUV. Addy halts on the sidewalk.
“We don’t need a lift. We can walk from here.”
Otis rolls his eyes as he climbs into the backseat. “You don’t have to fight every single person who wants to help you.”
“I don’t…”
I press a kiss to her lips before she can finish her lie. She leans into me for a second before tearing her lips from mine.
“Gage Edwards, don’t you dare kiss me in front of the entire town of Smuggler’s Rest.”
“Why not?” Otis shouts from the backseat. “You’re obviously dating. You’re wearing yesterday’s clothes, and you haven’t brushed your hair.”
Addy’s face flames and she ducks her chin. I help her into the front seat of the car. I have to bite my lip to stop my smile from escaping.
Otis is on my side. Excellent. Since there’s no way last night was a one-night stand. I want Addy in my bed. Permanently.
Chapter 20
Hit pause. I didn’t order an expansion of the family.
Addy
We arrive at our house within minutes. Unfortunately, it’s not enough time for me to figure out a way to finesse this situation with Mom. Who happens to be standing on the porch waiting for us.
Gage captures my hand while Otis trails behind us.
“Who told you?” I ask Mom.
“Jennifer messaged me.”
“Let me explain,” I begin.
“No. This is my mess. I’ll handle it.”
My eyes widen at Otis’s insistent voice. He sounds like a man. Not the whiney teenager I’m used to.
“But—”
Gage squeezes my hand. “Otis has this.”
Mom’s gaze rakes over Gage. “Who’s this?”
Gage steps forward and offers her his hand. “I’m Gage. I’m Addy’s friend.”
“Who she happened to be with at nine in the morning when Otis phoned her from jail?”
I groan. “Mom.”
“What?” She winks at Gage. “I’m not wrong, am I?”
“No, Ms. Price. You aren’t wrong.”
