Page 64 of Wilde Ride

Opening the back, I let Moose jump out, and he headed straight to the front door of my mother and father’s house.

The door opened, and he flew past my father and, most likely, straight for the kitchen. Dad laughed as he shook his head.

“I’m beginning to think he likes you and Mom more than me.”

He drew me in for a quick hug. “Nonsense. It’s just that Grandma and Grandpa’s house is more fun.”

“I guess so,” I replied.

“He’ll be happy to see Rhett here.”

I nearly tripped over my own two feet. “Rhett?”

Dad glanced back at me. “Levi and Rhett are here.”

“For Sunday dinner?”

He stopped and turned to me, a surprised look on his face at my incredulous tone. “Emeline, Levi’s like a son to us, and if there was ever a time he and Rhett needed family, it’s now.”

I blinked a few times. “I didn’t mean it like that, Dad. I was just surprised, I guess.”

The look of disappointment on his face was brief, but I never wanted to see that again. “I didn’t think you meant anything by it. Now, let’s go see my granddog.”

He headed toward the kitchen, and I drew in a few deep breaths. I hadn’t seen Levi since the honky-tonk—over a week ago. The memory of being in his arms was still seared in my brain. But regardless of what Caden said, I needed to remind myself that he wasn’t interested. He’d made that clear, and I needed to respect it.

I headed in the direction my father had gone. My parents’ house wasn’t like modern homes. When they built it, the open-floor concept wasn’t a thing, or at least, it wasn’t as popular. Stepping into the ample kitchen, I glanced around quickly but only found my mother and father, Moose begging at Mom’s feet.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

Mom looked up and smiled. “Hi, sweetheart. They’re all in the backyard playing games.”

“Did you need any help with dinner?” I hoped she’d say yes and not send me outside. I wasn’t ready to face Levi just yet. I wasn’t sure why I was being such a coward. I was going to have to see him a lot over the summer.

“Everything’s taken care of. Your father and I are making a salad, and dinner will be ready soon. Head on out back with the rest of the kids. Take Moose with you; he’ll love playing with everyone.”

Whelp, looked like I was heading out back. I forced a smile and made my way through the kitchen. I stepped out onto the back porch that stretched the length of the house, and Moose shot right by me. Six steps led you off the covered porch and into a large backyard with lush grass. A volleyball net was set up on the right. Caden, Gatlin, Ensley, and Levi were playing. The latter two were partnered up against my brothers.

My eyes landed on Levi, and I had to grab the porch rail to keep my legs from going out from under me. He had his shirt off and was covered in sweat. Six-pack abs led to a massive chest, and his arms were… Well, they were pure perfection.

Looking at the sky, I whispered, “Why do you hate me?”

A whistle blew, causing me to jump. Rhett was standing right between the two sides, and he pointed toward Ensley and Levi. “That’s another point for Team Daddy— A dog!” he shouted, dropping to his knees. And Moose, who lived up to his name—all eighty-five pounds of him—ran right to Rhett, knocking him over and covering him with kisses. The sound of Rhett laughing made my chest tighten slightly.

“You cheated!” Caden shouted.

Laughing, Ensley retorted, “How did I cheat?”

Caden glanced at Gatlin. “Tell me you didn’t see her hit that two times in a row?”

Gatlin shrugged. “Honestly, I was watching the way this motherfucker’s abs flexed when he jumped.”

“Language Gatlin!” Emeline said.

Levi laughed as he flexed, and I nearly let out a whimper.

One more look above. “Really? Why?”

“Christ on a cracker, Levi, are you taking steroids?” Ensley asked, squeezing his biceps. I had never envied or hated my sister until that moment.