Page 21 of The Trauma Response
She arches an eyebrow and smiles, but does as she’s told. Once she’s inside, I start my bike and head home. It doesn’t take me long to get there, but I grin like an idiot the whole way. At home, I get a quick shower and check my phone before bed. As usual, the group chat was running like crazy while I was with Whits. I sift through them and realize they have all come up with their own theories about my love life. None of them are accurate, but I am appreciative that they made her feel so at ease.
Against my better judgement—because I know jumping in means I’ll be up for at least another hour fending off questions—I chime in.
Hey guys, thanks for cheering Whits up tonight. She really needed it.
Thor
No problem. One question though.
Yeah?
Thor
Where have you been hiding that one, and why are you not married with five kids by now?
Christian
My thoughts exactly. It freaks me out that I agree with Thor on any aspect of love and romance.
Thor
Funny, Boss. Seriously, what’s up with you two?
Chantelle
Aw, leave him alone guys. Tallulah is sweet and I like her. Don’t run her off.
Holt
Who’s running her off? We were perfectly well behaved.
Des
I was. You were…something else.
Embarrassing is what he was. Why did you tease me about kissing her? Dude, I had to have a whole conversation about how I used to like her before we even got out of the Brokedown parking lot. Talk about being put on the spot.
Thor
Hey, you’re the one who brought it up first. I ran with it. But I think she’s into you. She was blushing like crazy when we teased you about it.
Christian
I have to agree.
Chantelle
You should have seen her at the bookstore. They were so sweet together.
Holt
Happy for you, man. I hope it works out.
Chantelle
Me too, then it won’t be just Roxy and me against all of you goons.
Who are you calling a goon, Shortstack?
