Page 26 of Instant Heat
My smiles weren't forced, my laughter wasn't laced with sadness. Most importantly, I just was. No masks, no pretending. I liked it. I liked him… A lot more than I should have at this stage but who cared, right?
I got out of the car and made my way into the house. Knowing Thatcher, he was probably pacing the living room waiting for my return, so he could scold me. I used to like living with my brother.
Until now.
After I sucked in a fortifying breath, I pushed through the front door. As suspected, the first thing I saw was my idiot brother standing with his feet spread and those thick arms of his folded across his chest.
When he opened his mouth, I silenced him with a sharp shake of my head."Not now, Thatch."
The veins in his neck bulged as redness started to seep into his cheeks,"Not now? That's all you have to say? I have been sick with worry." He threw his arms in the air."Hell, I probably called every person in this town looking for you."
"Dramatic much?" I tossed my keys into the apple shaped bowl next to the door and attempted to get further into the house. When I tried to push past Thatch, he curled his fingers around my upper arm to stop me."Thatcher," I warned.
"Where have you been, Rae?"
I twisted until he had no choice but to let me go. His intentions were good, his heart in the right place, but I was sick of it. Squaring my shoulders, I tilted my chin, so I could look him straight in the eye when I said,"I went to see a guy about an itch I needed scratched."
My brother's brows furrowed."You're seeing someone? Who is it?"
"You don't know him." Okay, yeah, this would've been the perfect time to tell my dear brother that the guy I was sleeping with was also the same guy who got the job he'd wanted. I didn't have the guts or energy to do it, though.
Thatcher was already pissed off which meant he wouldn't see reason.
"I know everyone in this town." With his eyes narrowed, he tried to stare me down.
"You don't knowhim," I repeated. Pivoting, I marched toward my bedroom hoping we were done with the conversation. Lady luck wasn't on my side unfortunately; Thatcher was right on my heels.
"Fine, I don't know him." He propped his shoulder against the doorframe, his gaze burning holes in me while I hooked my phone up to the charger."But do you?" The question stung. This time it was my turn to narrow my eyes at him. Not phased, he went on,"Remember what happened the last time you fell for someone you hardly knew?"
I jumped up from where I was sitting on the edge of the bed and stomped toward him."How could I ever forget?" I asked, arms spread, palms up."When you do such a bang-up job at reminding me every chance you get."
"You think it was fun for me to come home to find you curled up on your bed, sobbing your eyes out?"
"You're being—"
"If caring about you is being dramatic, I wear the label with pride." Thatcher pushed off the frame and came to stand in front of me. He cupped my shoulders as he spoke,"You're all I have left, Raelyn. I won't apologize for worrying about you." Without warning, he yanked me forward and almost crushed me in his embrace."I should've been there to protect you."
I hugged my brother back."It's not your job to protect me, Thatch. I'm a big girl and I need to make mistakes. It's the only way we learn."
Bringing his hands up to cup my shoulders again, he pushed me back slightly."I hate it when you're smarter than me."
"Really? I thought you'd be used to it by now."
Thatcher shook his head as he walked backward."I hope this poor shmuck knows you're a cheeky little firecracker."
"Oh, he does."
"Good." My brother's face turned serious."He better treat you right, Rae."
I swallowed down the sudden lump in my throat."I have a feeling about him, Thatch. But if I'm wrong, you have my permission to teach him a lesson."
"That's more like it." He flashed his teeth in a wide smile before tapping the frame twice."Good night."
***
With my hand on the door, I paused at the entrance of our favorite coffee shop. I was meeting up with Brie for our weekly one-on-one coffee date. As much as the three of us loved spending time together, I found that Brie opened up more when it was just the two of us.
At first, I invited her for coffee every other week; it didn't take long to turn into a weekly thing, though.
