Page 10 of Adoring Delaney

“You said this place was big, but, babe, this place is huge,” Steve said in awe.

“Yeah, I thought the same thing when I first saw it, too. The inside is amazing. The house has been in Tuesday’s family for half a century.”

Steve pulled behind Honor’s new SUV, cut the engine, and turned toward me. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You sure?”

“I’ve never done this,” I sighed, reminding him of something I’d already told him.

“Everything’s gonna be fine.”

Steve leaned across the center console and kissed me. A sweet peck on the lips, and I was grateful he hadn’t gone for more. I so wasn’t ready for that kind of PDA.

“You’re right. I’m being totally silly. My family’s great but please remember they’re a little nuts.”

“I can handle nutty, babe.”

We got out of the car. Steve smiled and grabbed my hand, which I was unsure about but I didn’t pull away, and walked us to the back of the house, where the party was taking place.

That was when everything was not fine. It was so not fine, it was shit.

The first thing that happened was there was a very loud, very angry growl. The sound made everyone—and I mean, everyone—turn and look at Steve and me.

My face flamed red.

My body went solid.

And Steve moved me behind him.

Which just to say, was the wrong thing to do.

Carter stood from the table he shared with his brother and mine, his eyes narrowed and went to my still-clasped hand in Steve’s, his gaze travelled up my date, and finally it met mine.

I was no longer solid. My legs felt like jelly and I was worried I was going to faint. I’d misread the feral sound that’d come from Carter. It wasn’t anger so much as it was pain. Sure, he looked furious, but more than that he looked worse than he had when I lied and told him I no longer loved him.

Shit.

This was bad.

Worse than bad.

Thankfully my dad broke the unfortunate standoff and came over with a tight smile on his face.

“Jasper Walker,” my dad introduced himself.

Steve had to drop my hand to take my dad’s and I took the opportunity to move back to his side.

“Steve Deaton.”

Awkward.

“Delaney told us you’re a teacher at Parkside,” my dad continued.

“Yes. That’s where we met.”

Totally awkward.

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