Page 11 of One Night Rebellion
When Pastor Jenkins finally wraps up his sermon about temptation and redemption, I'm more than ready to get out of here. As we stand for the closing hymn, I catch Addie's eye again. This time, there's something knowing in her smile, like she can read exactly what I've been thinking about during the service.
After the benediction, we make our way toward the back of the church where Luke and Malcolm are waiting with their families.
"JT!" Luke calls out, extending his hand for a shake. "Good to see you in the house of the Lord, man."
"Yeah, well, Mom insisted," I reply, glancing at my mother, who's already deep in conversation with Addie’s mom, probably about the church potluck next week.
Malcolm grins, wrapping an arm around his fiancée's waist. "We were thinking about heading over to The Dinner Bell for lunch. Y'all want to join us?"
Before I can answer, Mom pipes up from behind me. "That sounds wonderful! It's been too long since we've had a good family meal out."
"We should probably carpool," Addie suggests, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Parking at The Dinner Bell on Sundays is always a nightmare. Half the county shows up after church."
"Addie's got a point," Malcolm agrees. "Why don't we figure out who's riding with who?"
I step forward before anyone else can make arrangements. "Addie, you can ride with me."
Her cheeks flush slightly, but she nods. "That sounds perfect."
As our families continue making plans, I lean closer to her. "Meet me at my car in five? I'm parked around back."
She nods again, and I have to resist the urge to let my hand brush against hers as I walk away.
Five minutes later, I'm leaning against the driver's side door when she appears, her heels clicking against the asphalt. The afternoon sun catches the highlights in her hair, and that dress—God, that dress—hugs her curves in all the right places.
I open the passenger door for her, and as she slides into the leather seat, I catch a whiff of her perfume, the same scent that lingered on my clothes after last night.
"Such a gentleman," she teases as I close her door and walk around to the driver's side.
Once I'm settled behind the wheel, I turn to her, letting my eyes take in the sight of her in my car again. "You look beautiful, Addie. That dress..." I let my words trail off as I reach over, my fingers finding the bare skin of her thigh just below the hem of her dress. Her breath catches, and I feel her muscles tense under my touch.
"JT," she whispers, but she doesn't pull away.
"What?" I ask innocently, though my thumb traces a small circle against her soft skin. "I'm just saying you look pretty. Is that a crime?"
She laughs, the sound breathless and shaky. "Not here. Not now. Your family, my friends—they're all going to be wondering where we are."
I know she's right, but I let my hand linger for just a moment longer before reluctantly pulling it away and starting the engine. "You're right. But later?"
The look she gives me is full of promise. "Later."
As I back out of the parking space, I can't help but smile. Sunday lunch with the families just got a whole lot more interesting.
7
Addie
After that very pointed sermon, it’s literal hell to sit here across the table from JT, surrounded by people who would be either livid or ecstatic at the thought of us being together. I’m trying not to look at him. Trying not to remember what it felt like to have him touching me, kissing me, driving me half crazy—but every time I glance at him, I can see that he’s doing the exact same thing.
I feel an elbow jam into my side, and I glance over to see Rachel giving me a look. She glances down and my gaze follows. Her phone is unlocked and the Spotted in Bellehaven page is on the screen. My stomach does a little flip as I scan the post. It’s all bullshit about prodigal sons and Willowbrook. And there, at the very end, is my name.Fuck. Me.
“You wanna tell me what that’s about?” she whispers.
“It’s about nobody in this town having enough to do to keep them out of anyone else’s business,” I whisper back.
She glances over her shoulder to see Malcolm laughing and joking with Troy. He’s not eating with us since he is on duty, but he stopped by our table as he picked up a to-go order. “They’vebeen friends for their whole lives,” Rachel says. “Practically part of each other’s families. If this goes sideways?—”
“There is nothing to go sideways, forward, or backwards. I’m an adult. I’m allowed to have a life. I’m allowed to kiss whoever I want to, assuming they’re willing. I can sleep with ’em too, if I want. Nobody else at this table has other people digging around in their personal lives. Why do I?”
