Page 23 of Next to Everything We Wanted

I smiled at them before turning on the radio as they buckled up. On the inside, I was screaming. Being in the car with Ivan Hicks was one thing, but Ivan Hicks in my house? I wasn’t sure I could take it.

This was going to be the evening of a lifetime.

CHAPTER 7

Gavin

Either I had lost my mind, or my mind had lost me.

My hands trembled as I closed Sienna’s front door. The house was a little smaller than I was used to, barely any entry space and a small living room. A few dog toys littered the floor, and I tried not to step on them as I followed Sienna and the twins to the kitchen.

“You have a nice home,” I told Sienna as water dripped onto the floor from our clothes. “It feels cozy.” It’d probably feel cozier once we weren’t soaked and shivering.

“Thank you.” She opened an upper cabinet, taking out a first-aid kit and setting it on the cluttered counter. She turned to Adam. “How is your wound feeling?”

“It’s hurting really bad again,” he said, his face pinching. “I think it’s getting worse.”

“I’ve got this. I’ve had plenty of gashes like these before.” I looked at the sink. “Do you think your leg could fit up there so I can wash the wound?”

“Heck no.” Adam laughed, sitting on the counter near the sink anyway. “I’m growing quicker than Emma. She hates that I’m taller now.”

Emma crossed her arms and made a pouty face. “It’s not fair. He gets to be tall like Dad and I’m going to be short like Mom. How am I supposed to see at concerts?”

I took a cotton ball and dabbed it with rubbing alcohol. “Hey, being tall isn’t everything. I’m the shortest guy in my band and I still have fun.”

“You’re Ivan Hicks,” Emma said, twirling her soaked ponytail around her finger. “Your good looks make up for your lack of height.” She looked over at Sienna, who was holding the bandage for Adam. “Isn’t that right, Sienna?’

Sienna’s cheeks flushed. “W-What?”

Emma gave her an evil grin. “Don’t you think Ivan’s looks complement his singing well?”

I let out an ugly snort. Gosh, to have the confidence of a ten-year-old. “Don’t put your cousin on the spot like that. I’d strike you with lightning if I were her.”

“I’m just teasing.” Emma sat next to Adam on the counter as I cleaned his wound. “She knows I am.”

“She does it too often,” Sienna said, swinging her wet hair over her shoulder. “Sometimes at thewrongmoment.”

Adam shook his head. “You guys are weird.”

Emma fluffed out his damp curls. “Says the guy who sticks popcorn in his nose.”

When I finished treating Adam’s wound, Sienna put his bandage on. “How does it feel now?” she asked him.

“Much better,” Adam said. His gaze met mine. “Thank you for helping me.”

“Yes, thank you for helping him.” Sienna faced me with a grateful smile, her eyes lighting up. Specks of brown littered the amber, creating a beautiful color underneath her long lashes. They had me stunned for a moment.

“Oh, you’re welcome,” I said, realizing I’d gotten lost in her gaze. “Sorry, you have pretty eyes.”

“Really?” Her voice screeched before she swallowed, her face going from pink to bright red. “Um, thank you. Yours are, too.”

“Thank you.” My cheeks heated against my will. I hoped I didn’t look as red as her.

Emma snickered, whispering something in Adam’s ear.

“Oh, stop it,” Sienna said, irritation flickering on her face. “Get off the counter and change your clothes.”

“Can you sign my bandage, please?” Adam asked me.