Page 22 of Next to Everything We Wanted

Ivan picked up his backpack from the floor and took wipes out of it.

“You’re hitting my seat,” Emma whined, turning around.

I jabbed her with my elbow. “He’s helping your brother.”

Ivan shook his head with a smile, water from his tousled hair getting everywhere. Gosh, who allowed his hair to look that good when soaked? It was a few shades darker now, but it still had its red tint.

I remembered how horrible I probably looked and glanced in the mirror. Yep, my fears were confirmed. My mascara and eyeshadow were dripping down my face, and my lipstick was mostly washed off. Fantastic.

When I looked back, Ivan was cleaning Adam’s wound. I had to keep myself from grinning at how attractive Ivan was. How invested in helping my cousin he was, how gentle he was with each touch, how . . . hot.

He has a girlfriend, Sienna, I scolded myself. Get your head in the game.

“Okay, this should help for now.” Ivan put a big band-aid over the gash. “Does that feel better?”

“It still burns a little, but I feel better.” Adam beamed. “Thank you, Ivan.”

“You’re welcome.” Ivan smiled back, and my insides turned to mush. “I hate it when people get hurt and have to help if there’s something I can do.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet,” Emma said. “Can you kiss my mosquito bite?”

“Emma!” I shouted, almost as loudly as I had when I’d been searching for everyone. I cringed, my cheeks burning like they were in a hellfire.Get your head in the game, not in the gutter!

“I’m kidding,” Emma said with a mischievous smile. “Though if you want to make it stop itching, you know what to do.”

Can lightning please strike this car?

“Oh, Emma.” Ivan snorted, an ugly sound that somehow made him even more attractive. “I think you’re making your cousin uncomfortable.” His gaze met mine, those ocean-blue eyes making my stomach flip. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry,” I said, shooting daggers at Emma again. “She’s also a big fan.”

His lips curved in a smile. “I see it runs in the family.”

Lightning? Hello? Strike me!

Ivan laughed. “Okay, that’s enough teasing for now.” He looked out the window, the rain not as heavy as before. “I think it’s time for me to walk home.”

“In this weather?” I shook my head, though I couldn’t believe what I was about to offer. “I can’t let you walk home, even if the rain’s lightening up. What’s your address?”

“Um.” He swallowed, looking out the window again. “I really don’t mind walking.”

Worry filled my chest. Great, had that been the wrong thing to say? Did he think I was a stalker who wanted to visit his home on my own time? I wasn’tthatbig of a fan.

Almost, but not quite.

“Or I could drop you off on your street,” I said, buckling my seatbelt. “Then you can walk from there.”

“Or you can come home with us!” Adam piped up. “That will make me feelmuchbetter.”

“We can watch cheesy movies together!” Emma added with a beam. “Sienna was going to make us dinner, but popcorn while watching TV is so much better. Especially for our special guest.” She winked at him.

“I love cheesy movies,” Ivan said before his face fell. “I don’t want to come in like that if your parents won’t be okay with it.”

“No, it’s okay,” I said before I could think. “I’ll text my dad and their parents. They’ll be okay with it. And we have stuff to treat Adam’s wound.”

Ivan smiled. “Sounds good.”

“Yay!” Adam and Emma cheered, giving each other a high five.