Page 104 of A Little Jaded
I jolt back, surprised.
He gives in so easily. Like it isn’t a big deal. Meeting my family. I spent months trying to convince Drake to give my family the time of day. To give them one afternoon. One meeting. Yet here Everett is, complying without batting an eye.
I look up at him again and search his expression for any hint of frustration or annoyance, but I don’t find anything out of the ordinary. Nope. Just the unapologetic Everett I’ve grown accustomed to since moving in with him.
“You’re still okay meeting my family?” I ask.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t…I don’t know?”
His warm hand envelops my calf once more, and he squeezes softly. “Before the fort, I’d say we might need to figure out a game plan or something, but now this is real, so I don’t see a problem with meeting your family. Do you?”
Damn, those baby blues. The way I swear they pierce every single protective layer I’ve woven around my heart with a single look. It leaves me vulnerable and…curious. What it would be like. To trust myself enough to let him in completely.
Don’t get me wrong. I have been letting him in. One day at a time. One positive interaction at a time. One homemade cookie or from scratch meal at a time. He’s a guy I’m proud of. A guy I want beside me. But Drake used to be that guy. What if I’m wrong again? What if my gut is…a bad judge of character?
I bite my bottom lip, unsure what to say because honestly? I don’t have a problem with Everett meeting myfamily for real, but I also don’t know how to handle Everett being so…easy about meeting my family for real when all Drake ever did was bitch and moan about the prospect alone.
“Is there a problem, Stormie?” Everett prods.
“They’re going to interrogate you,” I point out.
“Okay.”
“And they’re going to threaten you.”
He smirks. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“And they’ll follow through on it, too.”
“If Drew hurt Fin, I’d be the same way,” he volleys back.
I frown. “You’re really okay with this?”
“I said I was,” he reminds me. Crinkles of amusement line his eyes, but even then, I’m not sure what to say or do or…anything really. “Is this about Drake?” he prods.
His name hits like a baseball bat, but I try to hide the air as it whooshes from my lungs.
“No?” I offer.
The same soft smile toys at the edge of his lips. “You sure?”
“No?” I repeat hesitantly.
“I’m gonna go with yes, this is about Drake.” He squeezes my calf again. “With all the shit he put you through, I want you to know I get it. And I know you know this, but I’ll reiterate it anyway, all right? I’m not him.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Raine.” His touch is gentle as he grabs my chin and turns me toward him. “I’m. Not. Him.”
Nibbling the inside of my cheek, I nod, willing myself to believe him. “I know you’re not.”
He searches my eyes as if debating whether or not he believes me either. Dropping his hand, he leans forward and brushes his lips against mine. The kiss is warm and sweet and innocent and only makes me fall for him more.
When he pulls away seconds later, Everett asks, “So, when do I meet the infamous Dodger Anders?”
I square my shoulders and prepare myself for the inevitable. Everett’s going to meet Dodge. And my dad.