Page 27 of The Rowdy Ones

Am I worried?

“Oh. Do you know Wild? He goes to college. I’m assuming it’s the same one since his isn’t far away either.”

He’s quiet for a moment and then sighs. “Yeah, I know him.”

“You don’t sound too happy about it.”

“As soon as I saw your uncle, I wondered if they were related because they look so similar. We’ve crossed paths at parties.”

“And you don’t like him?”

“He’s a hothead and fucks anything that walks. We don’t really have much in common.”

Weston squeezes my hip on the left and I start turning in that direction. It’s intimate the way he’s holding me but also necessary. I’m not hating it by any means.

We skate for probably an hour and then he takes me to get chili dogs and a funnel cake. Everything is delicious. This date is really nice so far. He orders us hot chocolate with marshmallows next. More skating ensues until I have blisters on every toe and my heel, and then an alarm sounds.

“You really set an alarm?” I ask with a giggle.

“I’m not dying tonight.”

By the time we get back to the cabin, I’ve pushed any awkward thoughts out of my mind and am living in the moment with Weston. It’s the best night of my life.

“Ten minutes to spare,” Weston says as we step onto the porch. “I wonder what we can do in those ten minutes.”

His hands find my face, tilting my head up. Hot breath that smells like marshmallows tickles over my face. Rather than kissing me like I know he wants to, he waits for permission.

I stand on my toes, seeking out his mouth with mine. His lips part and he meets me with a soft sigh. He kisses me gently. It’s a nice end to a nice date.

Someone clears their throat and we both jerk apart, probably looking super guilty for something fairly innocent.

“Good night, Weston,” Rowdy rumbles.

Weston grunts. “Yep. Night.” Then, to me, he murmurs, “I’ll call you later, baby.”

Baby?

This is so weird, but I don’t hate it.

Baby.

He called my sister baby.

Just like Evan used to call me.“You were meant to take my cock, baby.”I want to throw up.

What the hell is happening right now? I force out thoughts of Evan with a shake of my head and focus on Destiny.

The fucker steals another quick kiss and then tells her goodbye. She and I both remain quiet until his tires crunch over the snow as he leaves. Finally, she turns to face where I’m standing in the yard.

“Is there a reason you’re lurking in the dark and intimidating my date?”

My chest tightens. “Uncle Atticus said he needed to have you home by ten. I told him I’d wait up for you out here.”

“Did he tell you to scare him away too? You know what, never mind. He did. So embarrassing.”

He actually didn’t, but I’ll let her paint him the villain instead of me. I’m already feeling villainous enough.

“Can we talk?” I ask, voice rough with distress.