Page 91 of Wild About You
“I could take her,” Ash offers. “Little Sharpie and I are hanging tomorrow night anyway.”
“Same,” Declan says. “I’m not going to the event tomorrow so I could take her.”
Tyler and I are going to have a real night out while Ash stays with Ev. I love our nights in, but I’m so looking forward to dressing up and going on a real date with him.
“Thank you, guys. I appreciate it, but I will figure something out.”
Everly visibly deflates in front of us.
“What time are you done with school and stage crew?” he asks.
“Five, but they’re closed by then. I need to go during the day.”
“Right.” Tyler runs a hand over his jaw. “I have a break around noon. Can you miss an hour of school?”
They both look at me like I’m the school attendance monitor.
“I think that’s probably fine. Kids miss for appointments all the time. You’ll just need to sign her out.”
Everly squeals. A real, happy squeal that I’ve never heard come out of her sullen body.
“Thank you.” She hugs Tyler around the neck and then races out of the room.
And the smile on his face as he leans back is so happy I don’t think I realized just how much it means to him to do right by his sister until now.
* * *
The next afternoon, I’m leaving school when Tyler calls.
“Hey, I was just about to text you,” I say. “I heard about the test.”
“Total bullshit,” he says. “We waited for two hours and then I had to call it to get back.”
“I’m sorry. She understands.”
“I hope so. Are you with her now?”
“No, Everly is getting a ride home from Grace so I’m heading home to get ready.”Home. It’s amazing how quickly it’s started to feel like just that. “Are you already at the house?”
“No, I’m running late.” He grunts. “Since the DMV took for-freaking-ever, I missed a meeting that I have to make up now. I swung by the house and got my tux for tonight. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to meet you at the event.”
“That’s okay,” I say, tamping down the hint of disappointment that we won’t get to ride to the event together. “Scarlett and I are going to get ready together and then I’ll just ride with them.”
“I’m sorry,” he says again. I can hear how genuine he is in the apology. It’s laced with frustration, and that reminds me just how much he has on his plate.
“It’s fine,” I say cheerily. “You can make it up to me later.”
He chuckles. “You can count on it.”
29
WORTH THE PAIN
PIPER
The event is heldin a room at the arena. It’s a whiskey and wine tasting with small plates of food that pair well with the alcohol. Leo says most of the older guys opt out of this one in favor of events where they get a real meal, which makes me laugh. I’ve seen how much food they put away, so I guess I get it.
I hang with Leo and Scarlett, tasting wines and snacking on bread and cheeses all while keeping a clear view to the door. Fifteen minutes late, he comes through the entrance adjusting his bow tie and looking so good it takes my breath away.
