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“When do you think Gabe will get back?”
I ask the question as Damon walks Emily over to an empty couch, dropping his weight down as he pulls her along beside him. The corner of my lip curls, but I force my attention to Tanner.
He drops his head back against his chair. “Not sure. Depends on how long he decides to torture her. In the meantime, we should go grab the cars and park them closer to the house.”
“And grab our shirts,” Sawyer suggests, since all of us are still in only shorts.
Not that Damon seems to mind. He’s perfectly content right where he is, Emily so close she’s practically in his lap.
“I’ll help you move the cars,” I offer, happy to have a reason to walk out of this place and not take notice of the fact that Emily won’t look at me.
Tanner groans but shoves up from his seat.
Slapping my shoulder as he passes, he grumbles, “Come on.”
We make quick work of the cars and grab everyone’s shirts before heading back up to the cabin. Before we can walk in, Tanner slams a hand against my chest and knocks me back.
“What’s going on with you, Damon and Emily? And don’t try to fucking lie to me about it either. With the way Shane was staring at you, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to tell me all about it.”
“It’s handled,” I answer.
He cocks a brow, obviously seeing right past that lie.
“Which must be why you were staring at Damon like you might rip his head off when he came downstairs with his arm around her. Don’t give me that bullshit, Ezra. Do we have another end of high school situation on our hands? Because the last thing I need is the two of you going at each other.”
“It’s fine,” I answer, my jaw tight because Emily is still catching crap for the video that caused the problem he’s talking about.
How fucking funny is it that my first thought is in defense of her? Sorry for her? Absolute rage at the assholes who keep harassing her about what happened?
No matter what, I can’t stop protecting her…or wanting her.
Tanner runs a hand through his hair and paces a few steps away before turning back to me.
“It took you both a long time to get over her. And you were hell to deal with back then, too. I knew I shouldn’t have let Gabe send you after Emily at the fucking engagement party.”
“It was the only way to get her away from Ivy.”
He laughs.
“Yeah, but at what cost? Asking you two to deal with Emily was the equivalent of waving a bag of heroine in front of an addict’s face. And don’t try to argue with me on that. Not after what I saw at Gabe’s house between the two of you, and not after what I’m seeing tonight.”
We both grow quiet, Tanner staring at me like I’m losing my mind. My toe taps out the seconds before he ends this conversation.
Realizing I’m not in a talkative mood, he jabs a finger at my face.
“No fighting. Not even one punch. I know how you are. We’re here to get the information from Ivy, and then we’re leaving. Keep your issues in check until then.”
A distant, high-pitched scream sounds from the woods behind us, both our heads turning that direction. But it wasn’t fear I heard in that sound.
I shake my head and laugh to realize it was something else entirely. The sound was faint, but definitely recognizable.
Tanner scowls, his eyes rolling as he exhales heavily.
“Of course he’s fucking her. Again. Son of a bitch, all of you assholes are driving me crazy.”
Marching to the front door, Tanner lets us both in the house, his eyes following me as I brush past him.
Tanner isn’t wrong to worry. Nothing about the energy in this cabin is safe right now. We’re all on edge with our own issues.