Page 73 of Facing the Line

Pulling back, she stares at her shoes. “Anyway, I was doing a load and thought it would be easy to add yours, too. No big deal.”

It’s simple, yeah, but thoughtful. I haven’t had time for laundry, and I was either going to have to bring home a suitcase full of dirty clothes and beg my mom to do it or start walking around naked. Hadley noticed and took that off my plate for me. My heart beats faster in my chest.

“That was really sweet of you. Thanks.” I tilt her chin up and kiss her again, pouring my appreciation into it.

“Wanna revisit the commando discussion?” she asks, breathless, when we come up for air.

“You’re incorrigible.” I bury my face in her neck, making her gasp with soft passes of my mouth against her skin.

“You like me.” She smiles, the sound of it coloring her voice, as she tilts her head to give me better access.

“I really do.”

“You guys ready to go?” I raise my voice and call down the hallway to Evan and Hadley.

Evan steps out of his room, hands in his pockets, and frowns. “My mom just called. She wants me to come home to Michigan for the long weekend.”

“What?” Wheeling a Louis Vuitton suitcase behind her, Hadley blocks his path to the door. “You’re ditching us?”

He steps back into his doorway so she can pass, and I catch a glimpse of the second bag she has slung over her shoulder. How much luggage does she need for four days? She drops it all at my feet by the front door and pops her hand on her hip.

Evan shrugs. “Sorry. But she’s insisting.”

He meets my gaze, and it’s like a hit against the boards. His glance says it all. He knows about Hadley and me.

He doesn’t say anything but raises his shoulders again. “Mom wants it, so Mom gets it.”

Hadley pouts. “But you’re gonna miss out on so much fun.”

“I know. I’ll send you pictures from the lake, and you text me updates from Hunter and the Wolves, okay?”

He gives her a hug and me a slap on the back, still harboring that knowing expression. I don’t doubt his mom wanted him to spend the weekend at home—but it’s a little too orchestrated to be random, too.

Did he want to get out of spending time with us because he’s uncomfortable? Maybe we need to tone it down when we get home.

We need to play it cool this weekend. Between time with my family and Hunter and Natalie, we have to channel ourjust friends vibe. Disappointment sours in my stomach at the thought. Good practice for the future, I guess.

Sighing, I scoop my backpack and her extra duffel. “You should be thankful I drive a Jeep. Enough room for all your stuff.”

“Look.” Hadley sweeps past me on her strappy platform sandals. “We can’t all get away with shorts and a polo shirt for every occasion. I need options.”

I gaze down, and yeah, that’s exactly what I’m wearing. I packed four identical copies of this outfit, plus a hat, a toothbrush, and a book. What more would I need?

I follow her out to my car and toss our luggage into the back. When we’re settled and she has the music blasting to her liking, she slides her hand onto my thigh and glances over at me.

“This is the last time I can touch you like this. For the weekend, I mean.”

I try to keep my face neutral, staring at the road, as the ball of dissatisfaction inside my chest grows. I was thinking the same thing earlier—why should it hurt to hear it out loud? But if I’m being honest, there was a part of me that wanted her to own it this weekend. To tell her brother we’re dating and it’s not any of his business. To introduce her to my parents as my girlfriend.

But she doesn’t want anything serious or permanent. I was good with a summer fling at first, but my stomach sours with discontentment as I nod. “Yeah.”

Hadley sends me a coy look. “Can we sneak away at some point?”

As much as I want to shout to the world she’s mine, that’s not where we’re at right now. I’d rather be dating her outright, but if I can’t have that, I might as well enjoy what we’ve got. The hidden thing can be hot and fun.

So I smirk at her. “Are you planning on defiling my childhood bedroom?”

“God, yes.” She squeezes my leg. “Did you ever fantasize about having a girl in your bed?”

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