Page 16 of Fumbled Beginning

A heavy silence fell over us, unless you counted the deafening sound of my heart hammering away in my chest. My eyes darted to the TV. I pretended to be fascinated with the screen.

“How was your date?” I asked, making small talk because I was unsure what to say at this point.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He took a long pull of his beer.

“I take it things didn’t go well.” I could feel his eyes on me, but I was too much of a coward to look at him.

He shrugged. “Wasn’t interested.”

Do. Not. Smile. Do. Not. Smile.

Damn it. A slight grin peeked out and spread across my lips. I kept my face away from his, hoping he didn’t see it. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?” He flung his arm along the back of the cushion.

“What do you mean?” I had a good idea of what he was implying but didn’t want to make any assumptions. And there was no way I was admitting how relieved I felt that he was here with me instead of with her.

“Did you set up that date, Rylee?”

I swung my head in his direction and blinked. “I only offered to babysit. I had no idea they were trying to set you up.”

He tilted his head to the side like he was trying to determine whether he should believe me or not. “Just checking.”

“Did I do something wrong?” I asked, trying to make sense of his little attitude.

“I don’t know, did you?” His eyes held mine like he was searching for something, but I had no clue what he could have been looking for.

“I don’t think I did.” My eyes drifted across his face, hoping to find a clue to what was going on in that head of his. “You just seemed a little worked up tonight.”

He was trying to be casual about it, but his face was hard as stone. “Why would I be worked up?”

All I could manage was another blink because I was clearly having difficulty keeping up with him tonight. Why did it feel like I messed up somehow?

“Rylee.” My brother’s voice had JP jumping back and thankfully getting me out of a very painful conversation. “Are you going to stay and have a glass of wine?” He rounded the corner and picked his beer up off the table. “I feel like I owe you.”

I ran my hands down over my leggings, thankful to now have a little wiggle room. “Um…” I looked at my watch. “I should probably get going.” I stood from the couch and walked over to put my shoes on by the door. I couldn’t get out of the apartment fast enough.

“Don’t run off on my account.” JP’s tone was heavy with sarcasm.

I sliced him with a look, wishing I knew why his anger was directed at me, but I worried if I stayed that Maverick and Kinley would be able to pick up on things I wasn’t ready for them to know yet.

I gave my head a shake because I wasn’t sure if I should have been annoyed or concerned with how he was acting.

I had work in the morning. I needed sleep. I needed to clear my head. I didn’t understand what was happening between us. He was under my skin. I was under his skin. I had no idea what we were doing. It’s been a weird night, and I was in a strange mood. I didn’t trust myself to act normal around him.

Decision made; I was going home.

“I have an early morning,” I said just as Kinley rounded the corner.

“We are all pretty tired. It’s just one drink.” Her smile was devious.

I was definitely getting her back for this.

“Sorry, I can’t.” I arched my eyebrow at the little matchmaker, letting her know we would have words later.

Maverick craned his neck from his spot on the couch where he was checking the scores of tonight’s games. “You’re really taking off?”

“Yeah.” I grabbed my coat and purse off the hook.

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