Page 30 of Dove
Eddie laughed. “Nobody goes there for a good time. They go there to lick their wounds and drown themselves in cheap booze.” A trilling noise rang out from his back pocket, and he cursed softly as he pulled it out to silence it.
“Damn, that’s Zeke. Probably wondering where the hell I am.” He tucked his phone away. “I didn’t expect to run into you. I thought I’d just findPidgehere. I know she can tuck away a good pizza like the rest of us.”
I threw up a lone finger in his direction.
His guffawing laughter followed, and the corner of my set lips ticked up.
“You got my number,” he reminded Josh as he made his way to the front door. “Hit me up before you leave!”
My heart sank. Even Josh’sfriendsdidn’t believe he’d stay.
What made it so unbearable here?
“Eddie,” Josh called to his friend before he could throw open the door and leave. “Forgetting something?”
Josh held up a few bills, eyebrow raised.
Eddie shook his head. “Keep it, man.”
When Josh started to protest Eddie cut him off. “You want to argue with my old man? He’ll skin me if I take your money. You know how he is.”
Stubborn, but a good man. Loyal to Haven and it’s locals like no one else. His father, Miguel, had moved here with his family when he was a young boy. The town had welcomed them with open arms and supported their restaurant ever since.
Knowing he’d won, Eddie saluted us both before barreling out the door.
“Let’s eat,” Josh announced, turning back to the kitchen.
My stomach growled, reminding me of my hunger. The quiet of the house, near silent now with Eddie gone, reminded me of something else.
It was just me and Josh, now.
Alone in what felt like the first time in a long time.
9
JOSH
Then
Iwasn’t feeling particularly in the mood to party.
Nothing sounded better than calling in for some takeout and watching the newest episode ofThe Walking Deadwith Dove.
Which was exactly the reason why I suggested we invite some friends over tonight instead, because I wanted to be alone with hertoomuch. I wanted to sit beside her on the couch, arms brushing as we ate pizza, sharing a blanket that Dove would inevitably use to cover her eyes when the zombies came on screen.
I was Dove’sstepbrother. Since the day I’d met her, I vowed to make her happy, to protect her and keep her safe.
Even if that meant from me.
I wanted more than I was allowed to have, and so I created boundaries and distance where there didn’t use to be.
Dove could tell. Maybe notwhy,but she could tell. She was smarter than anyone gave her credit for, most mistaking heroften quiet, acquiescing nature for a demure demeanor, but no one knew the spitfire underneath quite like I did.
Believe me, I’d been at the end of her rage quite a few times. Through the years, plenty of toes have been stepped on between all of us. It kind of came with the territory when you called a farm home. We spent a lot of time together, working closely to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Which was how I knew my brotherly feelings had shifted—if they’d ever been brotherly at all. Because when she hugged me, I itched to wrap my arms tight around her and linger. When she kissed my cheek, I wanted to nudge my head to the side so her lips landed on mine instead.
Dove had been awkward and shy when I’d first met her, on the precipice of teenage years, but now, at sixteen? I had the glimpse of what a beautiful woman Dove was going to become, how beautiful she alreadywas.
