Page 63 of How You See Me
“What about Grant? Does he defend the idiot?”
“Oh, no. He hates Ryder, but my best friend and brother are supposed to feel that way. Coming from you, it means more.”
His gaze holds mine for a beat before shifting to the field beyond. The crowd’s building around us, a sea of legs and coolers.
“Thank you for taking the time to do this,” I tell him to break the dreaded quiet.
“No problem.”
“I figured you want to get back on the road today.”
“I’m letting loose. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
I can’t stop the big, goofy smile that comes on and makes my cheeks ache. “Absolutely, but you’re still wound a little tight. Have youeverfully let your hair down?”
“That’s prohibited in the military.”
“Is that a buzz cut joke?”
“A bad one.”
“Not true. I laughed.”
“I didn’t hear you.”
“It was internal.” I return his wink from earlier. “Stealth laugh.”
“Right.”
“Maybe you should take some comedic lessons from Jordan. His dad jokes are always ready for every situation.”
His face scrunches as he leans back on an elbow. “My personality doesn’t entertain.”
“Maybe not, but I bet you’re someone who never gives up. You could do anything you set your mind to. Even comedy.”
An unsteady grin drifts onto his face. The ominous clouds usually swirling inside him have settled enough to let him relax the way he’s trying to. He’s a spring shower instead of the usual thunderstorm. I can’t help it. I’m proud of him.
“Thanks, but I’ll leave the jokes to Jordan.”
The conversation continues to flow as the band sets up on stage, giving me the courage to venture into personal territory.
“Can I ask why you searched for a rock earlier?”
His hands freeze, then he tosses the blade of grass he’d tied into multiple knots. His clouds are back, and I’ve ruined the moment for him, bringing back the source of his turbulence. Jordan warned me, and I still couldn’t control myself.
Backtracking, I reach for my camera. “You know what? I’m gonna go get a few pictures of the countryside before the light goes—”
His fingers wrap around my wrist. “Wait.”
I still. Not breathing. Not able to ignore the feel of his palm warming my skin.
“My little sister collects rocks from the places she visits. She asked me to do the same.”
“That’s adorable. How old is she?”
“Nine.”
“Wow. Quite the age gap between you.”
