Page 31

This is Joshua.

The boy next door.

My little brother’s best friend.

The kid who used to dig for worms and track mud inside the house.

Except the man standing in front of me looks nothing like that boy.

His jaw is shadowed with scruff. His broad shoulders fill out his coat in a way that should be criminal. His eyes are dark and focused entirely on me.

And his lips…

Sweet Jesus, those lips. I can only imagine how they’d feel. How they’d taste. What kind of pleasure they’re capable of.

Wait… What? Why am I thinking about this?

It’s the alcohol. It has to be.

Averting my gaze, I step out of his hold, using the porch railing to steady myself. I’m not sure what’s making me dizzier. The alcohol or how close Joshua is.

“Thanks again for the ride,” I say, my voice higher-pitched than normal. “I’m sure the last thing you wanted to deal with was some drunk girl trying to drown her issues in a bottle of scotch.”

“I’m glad I was there.”

I give him one last smile, then approach the door, focused on maintaining my balance, since it feels like I’m on a boat during a storm. I’m definitely never drinking again. Especially anything out of my brother’s special “coffee” mug.

I place my hand on the knob and give it a turn. Or I try to give it a turn.

But nothing happens.

“Shit,” I mutter. “It’s locked.”

“Do you have a key?”

I dig through my purse for the set of spare keys I’d used earlier, cursing under my breath when I realize I’d stormed out of the house without them. The only keys I have are my own.

“I never grabbed them when I left. Maybe they still hide one.” I check the porch for hiding spots, lifting the cushion on the rocking chair and finding nothing. “Or maybe not.” I exhale a frustrated sigh. “I’m not about to knock or ring the doorbell and wake them up.” I roll my eyes. “That’ll only make my father think I’m even more irresponsible than he already does.”

I reach into my purse and pull out my car keys, grateful I at least have those. And that Bennett drove my car home for me after the game.

“I guess I’m sleeping in my car tonight.”

“Absolutely not.” Joshua swipes my keys from me before I can press the fob to unlock my SUV. “I have a spare bedroom. And heat.”

“It’s fine. I’ll manage. I⁠—”

“Do you even hear yourself, Wynter? Stop being so damn stubborn. Or worrying about being an inconvenience. You’re the furthest thing from that. So will you please just stay with me tonight?” He goes still, his eyes widening as his words register. “Well, not with me, but in my house. In the spare bedroom.”

He stares at me, waiting for my response.

No one’s ever spoken to me like this before. With so much…passion. Even when Wyatt asked me to marry him, I don’t think he spoke with this much fire.

Plus, the idea of sleeping in my car isn’t even remotely appealing right now. Not when all I want to do is crawl into a warm bed and forget about the last several days.

Or years.

“Okay,” I agree. “I’ll stay at your house tonight.”