Page 98 of Fourth Wheel
My reply is instant. “I think life doesn’t feel worth living without him.”
Damn. I’m a sucker. I really did inherit the Wheeler family curse. When we fall, we fall hard. I feel stupid that I didn’t admit this to myself sooner.
“You have to talk to him, Maddie.”
Iknewhe was going to say that.
“What’s the point?” I counter. “Nothing has changed. I love school. I would never leave Cal. I want to have an amazing career in NYC or LA. I don’t want to live in Hampton and be a housewife! I might be in love, but I still love myself more.”
“I’m sure Dempsey’s aware that you’re not housewife material,” he teases. “Why do you think that’s what he’d want for you anyway?”
I pause before treading into uncomfortable territory.
“I don’t think that’s what he’d want. I think that’s what I’d have to settle for. He’s… he’s stuck there, Rhett. Because ofhim. And I refuse to ask him to choose.”
My brother’s jaw ticks, but he nods in understanding.
Dempsey and Fielding’s relationship is complicated and co-dependent. But they’ve been through hell together, and all they have left in this world is each other. I don’t begrudge him for needing to be there for his brother. But I also can’t imagine feeling anything but stuck if I had to live in Hampton my whole life.
“It sounds like Dempsey has some decisions to make. But youdohave to talk to him. You can’t expect him to choose you if he doesn’t know you’re an option.”
That… makes sense. But I cower at the thought of putting myself out there and not being chosen.
“I don’t know what to do,” I moan, defeated.
“Maddie. We’re at the cabin. You’re literally less than two hours from Hampton. If you don’t know what to do, then I’m not sure we’re related.”
“You think I should go to Hampton?” I challenge, one eyebrow raised.
He raises both of his in reply, so I know he means business.
“Okay, yeah…”
I start to formulate a plan in my head. Rhett’s right. I’m so close. This is my shot. If I go back to Hampton tonight…
“One problem,” I groan. “Jake picked you up at the airport, too, right? That means he’s the only one with a car here.”
Rhett’s eyes grow wide as the realization sinks in.
“Will you ask him for me?” I beg, my hands held together in prayer with my lower lip turned out in a pout.
He shakes his head and laughs, but I know I’ve got him. “Only because I love you.” He ruffles my hair. “And I really do want you to be happy.”
Chapter 53
Maddie
Theonlythingmorenerve-racking than asking Jake if I can borrow his car is driving the thing on the Ohio turnpike in the pouring rain. At least the self-driving technology is there to keep me company. Especially since Jake only listens to emo music from the 90s and early 2000s and I’m too scared to mess with his presets.
I ease into their driveway unannounced, entering the security code and hoping it still works.
It does, and the gates swing open as I pull up close to the garage. All the garage bay doors are closed, so I make a split-second decision to run to the front and knock.
He must have seen me coming on the security cameras, because within five seconds, the door swings open, and there he is.
I scan up and down his body and have to hold back a squeal as all my favorite features register in my brain. Six foot two. Gorgeous blond hair and crystal-clear blue eyes I want to get lost in forever. Lean, tanned forearms. Veins for fucking days.
I’m about to make a running leap for him, Dirty Dancing-style, but then he smiles, and baby’s right back in her corner. It’s a megawatt smile that transforms his whole face. At that exact moment, I know.
