Page 46 of Fourth Wheel

The video ends and the room goes silent. There’s a heavy tension between us—that electric supercharge that’s always there, intensified by his fury now that he knows every graphic detail of last night’s confrontation.

Without warning, he turns and stalks toward me, throwing the phone on the bed before he takes my head in his hands.

“You stupid girl,” he huffs out. The words don’t match the reverence in his tone. “You stupid, wonderful girl.” He closes his eyes, as if he’s in pain, then presses his forehead into mine.

“Why would you do that for him, Maddie? Why?”

I close my eyes and ignore his demand. He knows why. Hehasto know.

“That’s why you wanted to get out of there and come home with us, wasn’t it? Because of Adley?”

When I don’t answer, he holds me a little tighter, his fingers wrapping around the back of my neck as if he can will me to answer him.

“That’s why you didn’t want to be home alone last night,” he guesses correctly.

I open my eyes and meet his gaze, awestruck by the intensity of his stare. There’s anger and frustration on his face, but an admiration and appreciation that’s new. Something passes between us. Without me having to explain myself, I know he knows.

Why did I do it?

Why did I put myself at risk, against impossible odds, to save his brother?

I acted on instinct.

I did it because it was the right thing to do.

I did it because ofhim.

And now we both know this is no longer a game.

I gulp past the lump in my throat and will myself to speak. “I’m not scared of Andrew Adley,” I insist with a shrug. “I was just shaken up and spooked last night.”

Dempsey glares at me, no doubt preparing to challenge my indifference.

“Hey,” I reprimand, standing up and wrapping my arms around his neck.

He doesn’t pull out of my hold, and in that moment, I know: this is no longer a game for him, either.

“I don’t regret anything about last night.” I give him a heated look as I cling to his neck. “I would do it all over again if I could, even knowing the outcome in advance.”

I lick my lips, and he tracks the movement. But he’s not done with his overprotective tirade.

“You’ll tell me if he tries to contact you, or if you see him around town.”

“Oh will I?” I challenge.

He shakes his head and smirks before wrapping his arms around me and hauling me into an airtight hug.

I sigh contentedly before I can hold back my reaction. I love the way I feel in his arms.

“You will,” he growls into my ear. “You’re not alone in this, Maddie. I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to you because of my brother’s dumbass choices.”

I say nothing, instead savoring the feeling of his arms wrapped around me. I nuzzle against his chest, soaking in his warmth and protectiveness. I tilt my head back to meet his gaze, silently begging him to kiss me.

Instead, he loosens his arms, bends low, and places a peck on my forehead. “Come on,” he urges, taking my hand and pulling me toward the door. “I have to get you home.”

Chapter 22

Dempsey