Page 171 of Tag

“Oh, don’t try and be all gracious now.”

We weaved through the backyard toward the front of the house, the air crisp with that unmistakable fall edge that hadn’t yet turned to full chill. I tugged my sweater down over my leggings.

Cade, never one for silence, looked between us. “So, are you two a thing now, finally, or are we still doing the cryogenic thing?”

Ryder glanced at him, amused. “That was a big word for you.”

“I would fake being offended and call you an asshole, but I only know it from overhearing Ari talk about it with some guy from one of her classes before I stole her for a chat.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Someone’s been watching too many dating shows.”

As the words left my mouth, a thought lingered. He’d been name-dropping Ari more than usual lately. I hoped I wasn’t reading too much into it. He’d already hurt her once,unintentionally or not, and it was only because Ari had asked me, Cloe, and Roxxi not to say anything that we never did.

There were also the subtle glances he and Xander exchanged sometimes. I had an inkling something was going on there. Cade was quieter about his hookups with guys, and I wasn’t even sure if Xander swung that way, not that any of us cared. Still… I watched the way Cade smiled to himself after mentioning her name and tucked the observation away.

Ryder’s hand brushed against mine as we walked, his fingers grazing just enough to make my pulse jump. Then he finally answered Cade’s question, voice low but certain. “We’re at the point of her finally acknowledging she’s mine. Isn’t that right, Sass?”

I didn’t feel the need to verbally respond to that.

Cade whistled, slow and dramatic. “That’s still a step toward progress. As your first big brother, I want you to know, you have my blessing.”

“Myfirstbig brother?”

“Yeah, you know I’m older than him.”

“By like four months, Cade.”

“Semantics, Little Sanj.” he adjusted my cheer bag on his shoulder. “Anyways, let me finish. This—” he waved his hand between me and Ryder, “—has been over two decades in the making. I’m just saying, you finally falling into his big, brooding, football-catching arms has been a long time coming.”

Ryder laughed at his verbiage.

We moved in sync down the long drive, our footsteps quiet on the pavement. At the end, Cade stepped ahead to the iron gate and punched in the code, the mechanical click echoing louder than usual in the early fall stillness.

Ryder reached into his pocket, and a second later, I heard his truck rumble to life behind us. I didn’t waste my breath telling them they didn’t need to walk me home. They would’ve done it anyway. It didn’t matter that my house was right across the street. Proximity never meant less protection with these two. We crossed the road and paused at the bottom of my driveway. Cade adjusted the strap of one of my bags over his shoulder before turning to me.

“Need me to carry them all the way?”

“I can manage,” I said with a small smile. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Alright, this is where we go our separate ways.”

His hand reached out and patted the top of my head like I was a child.

“Cade,” I warned, smacking his arm.

He laughed, dancing out of the way. “Violent as ever, Little Sanj.”

He truly did make me think this would be what it would be like if I had an annoying sibling I couldn’t help but love. His gaze shifted between me and his brother. “Pass me your keys. I’ll wait in the truck.”

Ryder didn’t say a word, just held out the fob. Cade took the keys and jogged back across the street, whistling low to himselfas he disappeared behind the gate again. The second he was gone, Ryder stepped into my space like gravity didn’t give him a choice.

“Are you already overthinking?”

I shook my head. “Not yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.”

His mouth curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll come to you as soon as we’re done. Make sure you don’t get too carried away.”

He leaned in, pressing his mouth to mine. I kissed him back without thinking, and it was the most natural thing in the world, like my lips had always known his. His hands slid to my hips, pulling me closer. Then one of my bags bumped into his leg, the awkward reminder breaking the perfect moment. I pulled back, my cheeks flushed.

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