He shrugged, pulled his knees to his chest, and hugged them. It was a funny sight, his large form all compacted like that.
His eyes never left the rats, and just when I thought he wasn’t in the mood to talk, he added, “I thought the distance would help, you know? That if I was away from him for long enough, maybe these feelings would fade.”
“I’m guessing they didn’t?”
He sighed. “Nope. I still want to maul those fucking pouty lips of his every time I see them.”
“Let’s just stick to kissing,” I said, choking out a laugh.
That got a smile out of him.
“I’d settle for that, too,” he said, turning on his cheek to look at me. “How are things going with the stepbro?”
Last night’s make-out session came to mind, and my cheeks heated. Considering we’d been on the side of the major road back into town, we’d stopped before things had gotten too hot and heavy. And when we got home, our parents had dropped by for a surprise visit.
They’d wanted to make sure everything was okay after running out of the fair like that on Saturday. Their arrival had killed any cell of desire inside of me, and the way Sandra looked almost frantic with worry filled me withguilt.
I sighed.
“That doesn’t sound good. Did you guys really get into a fight at the fair like the rumors say you did?” Frederick asked.
“Stupid small-town rumor mill,” I muttered. “It was just a little misunderstanding, but things worked out in the end. Actually, they more than worked out.”
“Yeah?”
“I told him I loved him,” I said, still feeling giddy about the entire thing. I felt like a young schoolboy who’d just confessed his feelings to his crush. Hell, I wanted to tell Clay I loved him since wewereschoolboys.
“I’m guessing by the way you’re smiling like an idiot that he took it well?” Frederick said with a grin.
I nodded. “He said he loved me, too.”
He nudged me with his knee. “Congrats on overcoming the first hurdle,” he said.
I had no doubt my friend was happy for me but also down about his situation at the same time.
“Maybe you should just be upfront with your feelings, too?” I suggested.
“How can I do that when I can barely even speak when I face him?” he replied.
“Is he at your house now, and that’s why you wanted to come over here? To hide from him?”
“Maybe,” he hedged. I didn’t think the man could even blush, but damn, was he turning red now.
“Do you wanna stay the night?” I asked.
He shook his head and stood. “I really shouldn’t. Infact, I should probably head out before your man gets back and gets jealous again.”
As if summoned, the front door opened, and in came Clay. Probably having seen Frederick’s vehicle instead of mine parked outside, he was frowning as he closed the door behind him.
“And that’s my cue,” Frederick said with a laugh. He said goodbye to the rats and nodded to Clay on his way out.
I thought Clay might glower, so I was proud when he managed to nod back in greeting. Even if he did look more intimidating than normal.
Knowing that he wanted to keep me all for himself? That was hot as fuck. The possessiveness just did it for me.
Chapter Nineteen
DAN
