Page 86 of Wild About You
His laugh deepens. “Well, I can’t wait to tell you all about the other good deeds I’ve done recently.”
One of the guys calls his name and he says, “One sec.”
“I should let you go.”
“Yeah, I gotta finish up. My girl seems to like the muscle I’ve added to my body.”
“Your girl does,” I say, grinning so big my face hurts.
* * *
The team has a series of away games coming up so the night before he leaves, Tyler and I order food in and hang out in the living room watching TV and making out. More making out than watching the TV, if I’m honest.
Everly hasn’t come down from her room since we got home from school. I think things with her and River have been tense because she was in a terrible mood on our ride home. Ash went with some of the team to Wild’s for drinks, so it’s just the two of us, hanging at home like it’s our own place.
Tyler has one arm around my shoulder, his fingers teasing the side of my boob when Declan arrives a little later. He knocks on the door three times and then calls out, “Hello?”
“In the living room,” Ty yells. He turns to face him. “Hey, man. What are you doing here? Ash is still at Wild’s.”
Declan nods his head to me. “Homework duty.”
Everly bounds down the stairs a second later looking happier than she did earlier. “Hey!”
I don’t know Declan that well, but he doesn’t smile all that often except with Everly. He raises his hand, and she bumps it. “Ready?”
“I thought you were done with your homework already.” Tyler looks at Everly with a crease forming between his eyes.
“I am. Declan is teaching me how to drive. His car is so fast.”
I can tell by Tyler’s expression that he’s caught off guard. Declan reads his body language and adds, “Sorry, I thought you knew. We stay in the neighborhood.”
“I had no idea you wanted to learn how to drive,” Tyler says. “You could have asked me to show you.”
“I know how to drive. I just need practice,” Everly insists. “I have my permit and took driver’s ed, but I never bothered to take the test.”
Tyler stays quiet.
“Come on,” Everly tugs Declan toward the door. He resists, walking slowly and waiting for Tyler’s approval, which he gives with a nod.
A minute later, Declan’s car starts up outside, and Tyler sits forward and pauses the TV.
“Did you know?” he asks me.
I shake my head. “No, but it’s not a bad idea for her to have her license.”
His jaw works back and forth. He doesn’t say much while they’re gone and I’m not sure how to navigate the situation. Did he have a right to know? Of course, but I don’t think that’s why he’s upset.
“You know, it’s okay that other people do things for her.”
“I know.” He runs hand through his hair and sinks back into the couch. “I just feel like this thing should be me. I never even considered that she might want to have a car. I should have known.”
I angle my body so one leg rests on top of his. “You’re not a mind reader.”
I place my hands on his shoulders and thread my fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. “You do a lot for Everly. A lot. No one expects you to do everything. Not even her.”
His shoulders loosen under me. “You always know what to say.”
“I know, that’s why you like me so much. I give great pep talks.”
