Page 28 of Salvation (Clover-Hills #1)

Blake

Viv:

O.M.G.

YOU SENT ME THE TURTLE!?

This is why you’re my best friend

So glad you love it. Keep it as a reminder that I am the first and last friend you’ve ever gotten high with.

It’s going at the very center of the shrine I’ve created for you.

Shrine?Why do I have a feeling you seriously have a shrine of me?

Call me later?

You know I will

Closing out my texts, I look up at the big Victorian-style home before me.

I haven’t seen Ana yet, and I’ve been dying too, so it was easy to accept the invite.

Clearly, I’m late to the party, though. A familiar blue truck is parked next to a newer truck I don’t recognize.

One I can assume is Wyatt’s. I guess I should have known it’d be a full-blown family dinner.

I have a feeling she omitted that detail on purpose.

My foot barely hits the first step when Ana’s swinging open the door and barreling towards me.

I glimpse her black hair and blue eyes right before she envelopes me.

“Oh! My girl! Look at you! You’re as gorgeous as you were the day you were born.

” She squeezes my face and plants kisses on either side before bringing me in for a hug.

“Hi, Ana.” Relief fills my body from her embrace, like it always has.

I relax in her arms. “I missed you.” She squeezes me tighter at my words, and I swear I hear a rib crack.

I didn’t realize having her and my mom in one setting would make me want to crawl into bed between them like I used to and cry until no tears remained.

Thankfully, my savior sneaks up behind her.

“I don’t think she can breathe, Ma.” Wyatt says from behind her in the doorway. He joins us on the front porch and slings an arm over my shoulder once his mom lets me go. “What’s up, little lake? Heard you’re my new neighbor.”

“You heard right.”

We make our way inside, where my mom and Wesley are chatting in the dining room. “ There you are.” My mom says, moving in to give me a hug and a kiss. “I’m starting to feel like you’re avoiding your mother.”

I try my best not to roll my eyes, but I’m not sure I succeed. “You know I’ve been busy.”

“I’m just teasing,” She pats my cheek and motions with her head. “Come on, have a seat. Food's almost ready.” Then she pats the chair that’s right next to Wesley.

Reluctantly, I sit. Asking to sit somewhere else is far too petty and would just look weird. “Hi,” I greet quietly.

“Hey,” His response is just as quiet. And so close.

Our arms are nearly brushing, and I can smell him .

Heat flares in my face, and I do my best to avoid the mountain of the man sitting next to me.

He smells like pine and woods, like home , and he looks like a Greek god in a button-down shirt rolled halfway up his arms. Wyatt and my mom sit across from Wesley and I, and Ana sits at the head of the table.

The other end of the table is empty, but it’s still set for one.

The same spot their dad would sit if he was here.

They’ve always saved a seat for him. It’s been that way since his passing.

“How’s the new house coming along?” Ana rips me away from memories of Ben with her question.

“Good!” I clear my throat. “Still a long way to go, but it’s coming along.”

“I was so happy to hear that you decided to stay.”

I just give her a little smile in return.

I don’t say anything. Because yes, while I bought a house, I’m not quite sure what the hell I’m even doing.

It gets quiet, and the atmosphere turns awkward at my lack of chatter.

Wyatt nods in my direction, cutting through the growing tension.

“That reminds me. I’m free tomorrow if you want to come see the place,” the older Conway boy says, tossing me a lifeline.

“I have to work in the morning, but how about noon? I have an hour break.”

“Works for me.” He smiles, showing that same dimple he and Wesley share. He goes back to stabbing his green beans as my mom then turns to Wesley.

Ana shimmies in her chair. “So, tell me all about the city. You had a roommate, right? Vivienne? I’d love to meet her sometime. How did college go? I’m so sad I missed your graduation.”

The rapid-fire questions spewing from Ana’s lips are enough to make me dizzy. I settle on answering the simplest question out of the bunch. “I’m sure she’ll want to plan a trip down here soon.”

She hums. “Oh, and that job! Your mom told me you were working for this big newspaper. Do they have you working remotely while here or something?”

I falter at that, not truly healed and ready to discuss it with the entire table. Thankfully, just as I start to clam up, Wesley’s deep voice cuts through the dining room. “The first night of Karaoke at the bar is Friday.”

The way he changes the subject comes off like he’s merely uninterested in my life, maybe even downright rude, but I know that tone.

I understand what he just did for me. His voice causes goosebumps to rise on my exposed flesh.

I shuffle in my seat and place my arm closest to his in my lap.

That shocks me. More than the fact that he just swooped in to save me.

I did not think Harper had it in her to convince him, but I guess I was wrong.

“Mr. Sanders told me,” Ana exclaims. “How exciting, honey!”

“Wow.” I cut in, clearing my throat. “What a fun idea.”

He narrows his eyes at me and leans back in his chair. “It was your idea, wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug and busy myself with taking a sip of my water. I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t meet his stare. I’m a shit liar. And he knows it. When it comes to the little stuff, at least.

“So, Blake,” Ana leans forward from her spot at the table. “Are you dating anyone in town yet?”

I choke on the piece of chicken I just put in my mouth, and Wesley pats me on the back dramatically. I shoo away his hands with a scowl, clearing my throat. “No. Nope. Single pringle over here.”

Single pringle? I cringe at my own words. What am I? Five? Wesley snorts beside me, and I shoot him a glare. Ana hums and widens her eyes. Taps her chin like she’s deep in thought. “You know…there’s this very handsome boy who works at the convenience…”

Both Wyatt and Wesley cut her off with a groan and a chorus of “Mom”s , but it’s Wyatt who throws his head back and says, “Come on, Mom. Seriously?”

“What?” She asks incredulously. “If you two won’t give me a grandbaby, Blake might as well!”

“Oh my god.” I bury my hands in my face.

“Please make it stop.” I mutter to Wesley.

My face feels like it’s on fire. And their reaction tells me that this is not the first time she’s played matchmaker with the people in this room.

I pray to the man above to make the rest of this a normal family dinner, but even I know there’s no such thing when the Conways and Warners come together.