Page 15 of One Night Rebellion
I don’t say anything to that, but there isn’t time. Even if there was, I don’t have an argument for that. In part because I know he’s right and in part because trying to deny it will just make me sound like a coward. There’s a flash of blue lights and then I hear a car door open and close. Then Cam strolls into view. He looks at us, his gaze panning from JT to me and back again.
“Thought I was bustingsome teenagers joyriding in Cody’s car… turns out shit got a lot more interesting,” Cam says, crossing his arms over his chest. “You wanna tell me what the hell is going on here?”
JT gives me some major side-eye. “You wanna take that… or do you want me to answer?”
It feels like a challenge, and like maybe the way I answer is going to change everything. Is keeping everything private worth risking losing out on the chance to have something really amazing? That’s a pretty easy question to answer. So I take a deep breath, turn to face Cam, and tell him, “It’s called a date. You take Cass on one all the time.”
Cam looks at JT again, then back at me one more time. “Don’t do anything out here that will require me to arrest either one of you for public indecency. And, for fuck’s sake, don’t try to keep secrets in Bellehaven. They always come out.”
Then he just walks back to his cruiser and climbs inside.
“He won’t even make it back to the main road before he calls Cassie. And she’ll put him on speaker to text Lizzie, who will then text Troy, who will then text Lucas…” I trail off. “You sure you ready for this?”
“I’m ready for a lot of things, Addie.”
10
JT
Last night was one of the longest ones of my life. But when I told Addie I was ready for a lot of things, I meant it. Which is why I'm parking in front of Malcolm's real estate office the next morning.
Grabbing my cell, I go to my email and set up an away message to let any of my clients know I'll be coming in later in the day. Once that's done, I get out of my car and square my shoulders.
"Hey, JT," Rachel greets me as I walk through the front door.
"Hey, is Malcolm here? Thought I saw his SUV outside." I hitch my thumb back toward the parking lot.
"He is. He doesn't have anyone if you wanna head back there." She raises her eyebrows. "I kind of think I know what you're here about, and I'll make sure no one comes to bother y'all. Addie deserves someone who isn't ashamed to be seen with her."
"Yeah." I run my hand through my hair. "I've never been ashamed to be seen with her."
"And that's why she's been waiting on you." She winks. "She just didn't know it yet."
I flash her a relieved smile and then walk slowly back to Malcolm's office. When I get there, I knock on the door and then stick my head in. "Hey, you mind if I talk to you?"
"Sure, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?"
How do I explain to my best friend that I have feelings for his little sister, that if a member of Bellehaven PD didn't pull up last night, I would've fucked her in the back of my dad's SUV? I figure there's no other way than to come right out. "We've known each other most of our lives, and I've never lied to you. I'm not about to start now, which is why I'm here."
He sits up straighter. "Am I going to like this?"
"I don't know, but I'm gonna say it either way." I reach up and palm my chin, rubbing at the stubble there. "I've got feelings for Addie, and I don't wanna hide it anymore. I'd like to date her with your blessing."
His eyes flash. Malcolm might be polished and sitting behind a big desk with his hair brushed back and an easy smile on his face, but that's not who he is. Not at all. And I'm ready for it. He gets up, stalks around the desk, pulls me up by the collar of my shirt, and shoves a fist against my chin. I don't fight it. I let it happen, and I go down.
"Fuck, that hurt," I growl as I open and close my jaw, shaking my head to clear it. "You still pack a goddamn crazy punch."
"Had to. You know that."
Within a minute he's got the lid back on his emotions and his breathing under control. Reaching down, he offers me a hand and helps me up. "I know you did."
"My sister though? You motherfucker." He goes back behind the desk, gripping the edge. "You could've had anyone in this town."
"I know, but she's the only one I've always wanted. I just kept it quiet."
Malcolm stares at me for a long moment, his knuckles white where he's gripping the desk. The silence stretches between us, heavy with years of friendship and the weight of what I've just confessed. Finally, he lets out a long breath and sits down hard in his chair.
"Jesus, JT." He runs both hands through his hair, messing up that perfect style. "How long?"
