Page 75 of Perfectly Us
“You want me to go in with you?” I ask. He hasn’t met Jesse yet, and I know how he gets nervous before meeting new people.
“You don’t have to.” He looks at his shoes, hands shoved in his pockets.
“Come on.” I grab his hand and turn toward the house.
He offers me one of his adorable shy smiles and walks beside me to the front porch. The door opens before we reach it, and Landon steps out, an equally nervous smile on his face. They are definitely father and son.
“Have fun camping?” he asks, holding the door open for us.
“Yeah. I got a little sunburned, but it’s not that bad.” Shiloh doesn’t let go of my hand even when we’re in the house. “Is Jesse here?”
His question is answered as a tall blond guy steps into the living room. He’s smoking hot. A total Brad Pitt type.
“Hi, I’m Jesse,” he says, stepping forward to shake Shiloh’s hand.
Shiloh releases my hand to shake his, then drops his arm to his side. “Nice to meet you.”
“Your dad talks about you all the time.” Jesse beams, flashing his pearly white teeth. His gaze moves to me. “You must be Alex.”
“I can be whoever you want me to be.”
Landon pinches the bridge of his nose, while Shiloh coughs to cover a laugh. I like that he knows the flirting is just stupid fun. The only one I really want to flirt with is my gentle giant, who gives me bashful smiles and makes me feel warm and toasty.
“Wow, heisa flirt,” Jesse says, glancing at Landon.
“Told you,” Landon responds, his cheek twitching.
Shiloh tells Jesse it was nice to meet him—again—and instantly blushes before awkwardly walking toward the stairs. I smile at Landon and wave at Jesse before following after him. Once we’re in his room, he tosses his bag on the floor and pulls me into his arms.
“Thanks for being here,” Shiloh says, resting his forehead on mine. “You’re the best icebreaker ever.”
Grinning, I lay my head on his shoulder. “Glad I could be of service. That’ll be two hundred bucks.”
Shiloh barks out a laugh.
It’s one of my favorite sounds ever. Just like his shy smiles, I’ll never get tired of his laughs either. They’re more relaxed now than they used to be, like the wall he used to hide behind is broken down.
“I don’t want you to leave,” he says, his arms tightening around me.
“Someone has to start movies tonight.” I dramatically sigh. “It’s a hard life out there.”
He snickers and kisses my temple.
When I get home, the house is empty. Dad’s at the station, and Mom’s at her studio. The step at the top of the stairs creaks as I reach the second floor and walk past Clay’s room.
I can’t believe I told Shiloh all of that last night. I’ve been bottling it up since the morning I heard the shot go off in the woods and found out my brother was gone. That’s what woke me that morning, the echoing bang of a gun. A sound that will never leave my head.
My phone buzzes, an awesome distraction from my thoughts.
Shiloh:I have a question.
Me:Well, I might have an answer. If you’re a good boy.
Shiloh:I made you scream my name this morning. I think that covers it.
Not expecting him to say that, I laugh and plop down on my bed. He’s become more bold through text. In person too. He’s definitely not the same guy he was the night he barreled into me at the movie theater.
Shiloh:I know it’s sorta lame to ask this through text, but I’m too much of a chicken shit to say it to your face.
