Page 47 of Wild About You
“Morning,” he says, holding a mug of coffee in one hand. He’s in sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt that clings to his chest and biceps.
“Good morning.” My voice comes out all squeaky.
“Coffee?”
“I got it,” I say, and come around the island. He scoots down to make room for me, and I pull a mug from the cabinet and pour a cup.
This is so strange, but also not. Tyler and I have a practiced ease around each other. It might have been years since we shared a morning routine, but we slip right back into it.
“Have you already worked out this morning?” I ask, letting my gaze do another sweep of him in fitted athletic clothes.
“Just a quick run.” He angles his body toward me. “What about you? I’m assuming your cheerleader days are behind you, but do you still dance?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I used to take a class at the university, but I’m on campus so rarely anymore. I should find another place.” Strange how I hadn’t even thought about it, but now that Tyler mentioned it, I feel like I abandoned something I really enjoyed. That’s probably true of a lot of things. There never seems to be enough time for it all. “Someday.”
Everly comes downstairs. She already has her earbuds in and doesn’t look at me or Tyler as she grabs a banana from the fruit bowl and then heads for the front door.
“I guess that’s my cue.”
Tyler follows me outside. It snowed overnight, but my car is cleaned off. I glance back at him with one brow raised. “You did this?”
He lifts a shoulder and lets it fall.
“You didn’t need to do that but thank you.”
“Consider it a favor.” He moves over to the passenger side and stops the door with a big hand before Everly closes it.
She looks up at her brother. “What?”
“I don’t know. Good morning. Have a nice day. Try not to get in trouble.” An amused smile tugs at the corner of his lips.
“No promises,” she says, and pulls the door closed.
* * *
The next morning, there’s no Tyler in the kitchen but my keys are sitting on the counter. Weird. I thought I put them back in my purse. I don’t think anything of it until I get in my car. Something is different. No, a lot of things are different. For starters, it smells like grape soda inside and the dash is missing several layers of dust. I run my hand along it. Who knew it was so shiny underneath?
Everly throws open the door and heaves herself in with the usual disinterest, but when she sees how clean my car is she raises both brows. “What happened to your car?”
“Your brother,” I mutter. Your brother happened.
Ev rushes out when we get to the school, but I take my time so I can text Tyler.Thank you for cleaning my car, but you didn’t need to do that. I would have gotten around to it.
Maybe. Probably.
You’re welcome.
As I’m shutting the door behind me, my gaze snags on the tires.Oh, you have to be kidding me.
WHY DOES MY CAR HAVE NEW TIRES?!
15
EXCUSE-FUCKING-ME?
TYLER
“Nice job, Rookie.”Jack taps my helmet as I step off the ice. “Glad to see you’ve got your sparkle back.”
