Page 93 of Wrapped in Red

I scowled into the glass. “What did Holt say to you? You two seemed to be having a heated discussion when we showed up. Did he upset you?”

But Ezra didn’t answer. Instead, he twisted his small frame closer to the window. Yeah, we were not doing this. I pressed my foot down on the gas, hoping I didn’t get a speeding ticket on the way home. When I pulled into the parking lot, I reached for the seatbelt to stop Ezra from unbuckling himself.

“This isn’t like you.”

“I’m just tired, Carson. I want to go inside and go to bed.”

“Why are you lying to me? Why won’t you tell me what happened?”

Ezra sighed. “Please.”

“I’m going to call him.” I went for my phone, and when he didn’t stop me, I reached over to turn his face toward me. “Ez, talk to me.”

His chin quivered. “Holt doesn’t think I’m good enough for you.” He pushed my hand away to look back out the window. “Don’t get mad at him. He’s just being a good friend.”

“He had no fucking right,” I growled. “Ezra, I love you. Look at me, please.”

He shook his head. “Maybe he’s right? I mean, what do I know about dating? Nothing. What do I know about being a boyfriend or someone’s significant other? I might be really bad at it. I’m good at sucking dick, being a good piece of ass, but honestly, what else?”

“Shut up.”

“I suppose I could learn to be a good boyfriend. I love you, and I want to make you happy, CC. You’re the most amazing person in the world. I love the sound of your laugh, the way you make me feel and your smile. God, when you smile, it makes me weak. I want to just kiss the shit out of you.” Ezra sniffled. “You could find someone else, though. Someone like Noel or someone who—”

“Shut up, Ezra!” I bellowed.

That got his attention. He finally turned to look at me with big wide eyes, tears glistening on his cheeks.

“You are not breaking this off. You are not leaving me again or trying to push me back on Noel when I fucking need you. Holt is an asshole for putting those thoughts in your head. I am going to call him tomorrow and make sure he apologizes, but right now, you’re going to listen to what I have to say. Do you understand me?” He nodded. “Good, now we’re going inside.”

Ezra slipped off his seatbelt and opened the door, but I made sure to move fast enough to meet him there. I scooped him up and carried him in my arms, his legs wrapped around my waist.

“I can walk.”

“Tell me you love me,” I demanded.

He ducked his head under my chin. “I love you, Carson.”

“I love you, too.”

I stopped to open the door, with Ezra clinging to me like a child, and when I slammed it shut behind me, I didn’t bother to turn on any lights. I walked straight to his room and placed him on his feet.

“Here.” I shoved the bag I’d grabbed from the backseat at him.

He stared at me. “What is this?”

“I got you something tonight. Open it.” I tipped his head up and pressed my mouth against his soft, warm lips. “Fuck, don’t you dare ever try to break up with me again, do you hear me?”

A sob escaped Ezra’s throat. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, princess,” I assured him. “Open the bag.”

He gave me a shy smile as he did as I asked, digging through the tissue paper and pulling out a pair of white panties withHolly Jollywritten on them in red script.

“CC,” Ezra whispered as he dropped the bag and held them up. “These are perfect.”

“Uh, there’s one more thing inside.” I reached down for the bag.

Ezra smiled. “These are more than enough. You don’t have to—Is that a bralette?”