Page 62 of Swan

I nodded, my skin tight and tingly.

We walked out. Texas and Maya were behind us in a similar embrace as we made our way out into the car park.

“Drake’s going to drive your car. You want to come with us or him?”

I shook my head. “I’ll go with Drake. Saves you coming over there too.”

“You know we don’t mind. What did you need at the shops? I can go in and?—”

“It’s nothing urgent.” I shrugged, realising Drake’s arm was still around my shoulders. Licking my dry lips, I said, “I just wanted to see if I could go in there.”

Maya smiled gently. “You did it.”

Snorting, I pressed a hand to my stomach. “I guess I did, and then it all went downhill.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Texas said. “If it wasn’t for those bitches, you would’ve been fine.”

With a thin-lipped smile, I told them, “I was flinching at sounds and in a state of panic.”

Drake drew me into him more. My pulse raced. “Which was bound to happen when it’s been a long time and after everything.”

Maya nodded. “I was like that after what happened to me. Don’t be hard on yourself, Swan. You’re doing well. I can come to yours?—”

“No, really. I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming. Do we need to wait for the other brothers?”

“Once they follow the girls out of the area, they’ll head home. Just us now,” Drake said.

We said a goodbye to Maya and Texas and made our way to my car. I grabbed the keys out of my pocket and handed them over. Drake opened the passenger door for me and closed it after I was in. I put my belt on.

My stomach started to act up, and I was putting that down to what just happened.

It had nothing to do with being alone with Drake. I shouldn’t even be thinking about that. Not after I made them show up just to walk me out.

Drake got in, secured his belt on, and started the car. He backed out and started driving. I swiped my hands up and down my thighs; they felt a bit hot and sweaty.

I hoped I didn’t interrupt anyone from anything.

“I’m sorry ag?—”

His hand landed down over mine on my thigh, quieting me.

“Don’t, Birdy. I’ll always come for you.”

My heart thundered.

Texas would do the same, you idiot. And he had. Like Drake and Coyote and the other brothers. Drake doesn’t mean anything more than what he said.

Why am I reading into this?

God, I’m an idiot.

“I, um, hope you weren’t busy at the time.”

He patted my hand before placing his back on the steering wheel.

He had nice hands.

“I was just hangin’ at the shop with the others when you called Maya.”

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