Page 13 of Hooked on Marshall (Hooked #9)

I am an absolute bundle of nerves as I drive home.

And not just because of Marshall, either.

I’m not looking forward to facing my family.

As an only child, they have a tendency to overreact when something bad happens to me.

Which prompted my decision to stay with Marshall last night.

But now, I wonder if perhaps I should have just sucked it up and let my mother come and get me.

The only thing I’m grateful for right now is the fact that my phone is dead.

That way I don’t have to look at the text from Marshall, or see anything else from Jonas, either.

When I pull into the driveway, I can see movement in the front window.

And by the time I reach the door, my mother pulls it open.

She gasps, and then I’m in her arms. I reassure her that I’m fine while she cries and frets.

By the time I get inside, my father and grandfather have appeared.

It’s another round of hugs and reassurances before the real questions start. And I know better than to lie to them. Because when you live in a small town, you never know what people see and who they’ll tell. So…

“Whose clothes are those?” my grandfather chuckles. “You look like you had a sleep over at your boyfriends house.”

My parents chuckle, too. But my face flames with heat. And when they see it, their laughter stops.

“Lana?” mom asks. “Who did you stay with last night?”

She’s frowning. As are my father and grandfather.

“Marshall Jones,” I sigh.

My mother’s eyebrows almost fly off her head at that. Then my grandfather pats my shoulder and walks away. My father looks…amused.

“He’s still here?”

“He just came back,” I explain. “He sold his bar in the city, bought the Alehouse, and moved back here.”

“Oh, how nice,” mom says.

“Yeah,” I say.

There are a few moments of weird silence and then I excuse myself to take a shower.

Before I do that, I plug in my phone. I spend longer in the shower than I should, but it feels good to wash the grime of my double off, as well as the slight hospital smell.

Then I pull on a comfy pair of sweats and do some laundry so I can wash Marshall’s clothes, too.

At the thought of him, I touch my fingers to my lips.

The memory of his kiss warms me even more than my shower just did.

His kiss was…perfect. And the feel of my body pressed against his made me want to do more.

But I can’t. Well, it’s not that I can’t, but I shouldn’t.

Even though he doesn’t see an issue with him being my boss, I don’t know if I can get past it.

A small part of me wants to, but a bigger, more rational part of me doesn’t want to take the risk.

Jonas has me gun shy.

I will never forgive myself for not being able to resist him.

And the sad part is, we weren’t even that good together.

What I really loved was the thrill of being with him because it was against the rules.

Not to mention the risks we took by having our trysts in his office.

I was so caught up in the excitement, I didn’t care about what it was going to cost me.

As if the memory of him was a summons, my phone rings with an unsaved number. I silence it. Then I see that I have a text message. Also from an unsaved number. But when I see the first two words, I quickly open it.

It’s Marshall. Let me know when you’d like me to pick you up. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.

I’m smiling at his words until another text comes through. From Jonas.

I need you, Lana. I’ve taken care of so much so I can have you back in my life. Your job is waiting. And so am I. In a new apartment. And Emily is out of the picture. Please get back to me or let me know where you are so I can come to you. We need to talk and plan.

“I don’t fucking think so,” I whisper.

Needing a distraction, I go back to the message from Marshall after I save him name in my contacts.

Any time is fine with me. What did you have in mind?

I set my phone down and head to my closet. Fall is my favorite season because I love nothing more than wearing jeans with tall boots and comfy sweaters. In less than five minutes, I’m changed and somewhat excited for my evening. Then Marshall gets back to me.

I’m leaving the Alehouse now. I need a shower first, then I’ll come pick you up. Text me your address and I’ll let you know when I’m headed your way. We’ll keep things simple tonight. If things go well, I’ll wine and dine you next time.

I’m laughing after I read his text. Then I send him my address and decide to give my family a heads up.

When I explain that Marshall is picking me up for dinner, I can tell by the twinkle in their eyes that I’m going to have to warn Marshall, too.

I enjoy my family’s company until he texts me that he’s on his way. So, I send my warning.

BTW, I’m still at my parents house. Be prepared for the third degree when you pick me up. Let me know if you want to cancel.

I hope he doesn’t, but I figured I should give him the option anyway. In less than a minute, he gets back to me.

I look forward to it. But not as much as I’m looking forward to spending more time with you.

I shake my head and sigh. In ten more minutes, I see his Jeep pull up in front of the house.

I start to stand so I can get the door, but my father gestures for me to stay where I am.

When the doorbell rings, he moves to answer it.

And my mother and grandfather are grinning like loons.

I shake my head at them and rise as well.

Positioning myself so I can see Marshall when the door opens.

And hopefully be close enough to intervene if necessary.