Page 64 of Nothing to Fear

The car stopped, her building loomed large beyond the side window behind him.

“You wear them on your face,” he said, stroking her jaw with his thumb. “Your emotions.” Did she? “You’re nervous about going upstairs. Do you want me to come up with you?”

Her focus shifted from the distance to his eyes.

“You want to spend the night?”

“If that’s an invitation…” he said, once again provoking her laugh. Somehow he managed to make her feel better. “I can have Ferguson check it out.”

“He’ll spend the night?”

“Ha, not a fucking chance I’ll send another man to your bed.”

She leaned in. “Who said anything about bed?”

“Sorry, the thought’s always in there when you’re around.”

Another laugh. “Thank you. For tonight. I’ve had fun. It’s been a while since I—”

“You don’t have to go upstairs. You should never be afraid.” Intent, his sincerity was subdued but adamant. “Come back to the house with me.”

“No! Whoa, no. You want your mom to think I’m some harlot? I like your mom.”

“I like her too.” He squinted. “Help me out, how does one relate to the other? She’s married, if you were considering making a move. And, if you’re looking for some side action, I’d put good money on Mom chewing me out for not bringing you home.”

“Do you bring a lot of dates home?” To his parents’ house? That seemed kind of crass and disrespectful of the class his mother exuded. “Into your parents’ house? Do they get breakfast with Buoy?”

“You stayed at the house last night. Was I there?”

“No.”

“And I don’t have to be there tonight. Breckenridge House is a safe place for anyone who needs it,” he said. “I’m betting my mom told you that.”

“She told me I never had to be afraid there. Support not judgment.”

“And there’s the answer,” he muttered then called to Ferguson, “back to the house.”

They were driving again. Before her mouth could close, they were turning off the block.

“I shouldn’t, Darroch. She already thinks…”

“Thinks what?”

He curved an arm around her, pulling her tight to his side.

“I don’t know, but she brings you up like she… suspects something.”

“She doesn’t suspect, she knows.”

“Knows what?”

“I’m attracted to you. I want you. We can’t hide that shit from my mom, gave up trying to do that before puberty, she reads every one of us. And she knows we’re dogged. Giving up? A Breckenridge? Not a chance.”

“So it’s inevitable?” she teased.

“Yep, you should just give it up now.”

He caught her face to try guiding it around, but she resisted.

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