Page 96 of Wild About You
“Talking to Scarlett tonight reminded me that you could be traded.”
“Yeah. Lots of guys bounce around.” I shrug. “Does that bother you?”
“No. I meant what I said earlier. I just want to be with you. Wherever that is.”
One of our phones starts ringing from somewhere in the room.
“I think that’s yours. I’m pretty sure I left mine in the car.” She sits up and reaches for my pants, then pulls out my phone. “It’s Jack.”
She gasps and covers her chest with both hands. “Does he have cameras in here?”
Laughing, I take my phone. “I wouldn’t put it past him, but he’s probably just wondering if I made up my mind. I’ll call him back later.”
“Take it. I’m gonna grab some water and then I want to do that again but this time in the master bedroom.”
She heads for the kitchen. I accept the call and place the phone to my ear while admiring her naked backside sauntering away from me. “What’s up?”
“Hey, Tyler. It’s Jack.” His voice sends a chill down my spine. It isn’t what he says, but the tone. He sounds like he wants to murder someone. “Where are you?”
“I brought Piper—”
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Get home. It’s Everly.”
31
YOU BUSTED HIS LIP ON ACCIDENT?
PIPER
Tyler doesn’t speakas he drives us back to Ash’s at a speed that is well over the limit. Not that I can blame him. The little he said as we got dressed after Jack’s phone call was enough to have me anxious to get there and see Everly too.
When he pulls into the driveway, Jack is outside waiting for us. River is sitting on the ground a few feet away, legs bent and elbows resting on his thighs.
“What the fuck happened?” Ty asks, peeling himself out of the car almost before it’s come to a full stop. He glares at River and starts for him, but Everly’s voice calls out from the front door.
“Ty.” She takes off running for her brother and throws her arms around his neck.
A lump forms in my throat as she clings to him, tears falling down her cheeks. Something tells me this is the first time she’s hugged him with so much need because Ty stumbles back as her body collides with his. He moves to action quickly, though, cradling her against his shoulder and running a hand down the back of her head.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes.” She pulls away as if she’s just realized she’s hugging him.
He ducks his head to meet her gaze, then brings his hand under her chin to get a better look at the bright red streak across her cheek.
“You piece of shit,” he says so quietly and filled with so much anger that I hold my breath as he stalks toward River.
Jack intercepts with a hand to Tyler’s chest.
“You fucking hit her?” He yells around Jack, still trying to get to him.
River scowls and runs his tongue along his busted lip. “She hit me first.”
Jack releases Tyler, but spins and lunges for River first. He pulls him to his feet by the front of his T-shirt.
“If I ever see you again, I will kill you, then bring you back to life and let Tyler kill you. I don’t want to see your pathetic face. Not just here, anywhere.”
River glances at Everly without moving his head.
