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Chapter Twenty-Three
Briar
“Why are you doing this?” I ask Emmett, trying to ignore the heat of his hand on the small of my back.
“Because I want to.” He twirls me away from Gillian and Ben.
“You’re only going to get her mad,” I say, my fingers itching to touch the back of his head. To feel the silkiness of the strands between my fingers. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to know he was mine, and I could touch him whenever I wanted.
“I’m done caring. I wanted to dance with you, so that’s what I’m doing.”
He’s a good dancer. Of course he is, how could I think any less? Bruce probably gave them lessons in the living room when they were young. He’s brought up three great boys.
“But—”
“Just enjoy it.” He pulls me closer so that our bodies have hardly any space between them.
In only a few months, I won’t be able to get this close to him, so I do what he says and enjoy it. Maybe it’s time I take a line from Emmett’s book and just live. Do what I want to do. Stop worrying about everyone’s reactions to what I decide.
Emmett spins me around, leading me into a slow country song. His fingers dip lower on my back, splaying across the top of my ass.
Every once in a while, Gillian catches my eye. Her eyes fall to his hand, inspecting the closeness of our bodies. Ben looks annoyed, and the two of them fight for who gets to lead because he’s trying to get her away, and she wants to stay in line with us. I’m not sure what her problem is or why she’s so worried. She’s like an overprotective guard dog.
“Ignore her,” Emmett whispers. “You’re so tense.”
“Because she’s been eyeing us the whole time.”
“If you don’t relax, I’m taking you to my truck and driving you home.”
I pull back from him, his reaction coming from left field. “Clue me in, Emmett.”
He stares down at me, his steps not skipping a beat. “I like you.”
“Okay?” I swallow past the dryness in my throat. His facial expression is one I haven’t seen yet.
“I mean, I like you like you.”
My feet stop as my stomach turns over. He tries to get me to dance again, but I don’t let him.
“No, you don’t.” I unwrap my arms from him and walk off the dance floor, panic gripping me.
Instead of sitting at the table with all the girls, I tell them I’m going to the bathroom and walk right out of the bar. I stop in the front parking lot, needing some air.
“Why are you walking away from me?” Emmett asks, busting through the doors.
“Take me home.” I wrap my arms around my waist.
“Why? What did I do?” He looks so concerned, so genuinely worried and confused about what he could’ve done to upset me.
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “I just… I have enough on my plate.” My eyes dip to my stomach. We just heard the heartbeat a few days ago. Why is he making everything so confusing?
“And I want to help you.”
I blow out a breath and stare at the sky. “Help me? You’re not the kind of guy I could ever rely on, Emmett.”
I feel like the worst kind of person as soon as the words leave my mouth, but they’re true, aren’t they?
He steps back, his shoulders falling. His gaze shifts to the door as though he’s waiting for someone to come through them. I’m surprised Gillian hasn’t stormed out yet. I watch him inhale and exhale a few times.
