Page 82 of The Truths We Find

“Well, have you?”

I want to tell him. I plan to tell him. But not yet. I need to do it at the right time. “We’re just friends.”

I hate lying to him.

“Ugh. You two are anything but friends.”

I avoid taking the conversation any further, and a few minutes later, I’m pulling into my driveway.

Emmett grabs his bag from the bed of the truck, and when we walk inside, my jaw drops. Dani’s on my brand-new couch in nothing but a two-piece black lingerie set made out of see-through lace. She’s on her back, one arm above her head, the other rubbing her clit through the thin material.

Her eyes are closed, but she tilts her head back when she hears the door open. “Surprise, Gavin.”

Her voice makes me want to drop to my knees.

“Oh, I am surprised,” laughs Emmett.

Dammit!

I quickly slap a hand over my brother’s eyes.

Dani’s eyes rip open when she realizes I’m not alone. “Oh my God!”

She jumps off the couch, repeating “oh my God” while running up the stairs.

Emmett slowly turns his head towards me, the biggest grin on his face. “I knew it. I fucking knew it! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to tell you, eventually. Probably tonight. And definitely not like this.” I rub the back of my neck.

“I thought she was out with Alexa today?”

“So did I.” I rip out my phone and that’s when I notice the string of missed texts from my partner in crime.

ALEXA:

Dani bailed on me. Said she wasn’t feeling up for going out. I tried suggesting we stay in, but said she wanted to be alone. I’m worried she’s heading to your place!

I just gave her a call to “check on her” and she was clearly in the car. If you want your surprise to work, I wouldn’t go to your house, or you need to hide Emmett.

Gavin! Please tell me when you see these.

I may or may not know about a plan. And I HIGHLY recommend you don’t go back to your house with your brother. Bring him to my place. Then go to your place.

I won’t be held responsible when everything goes to shit because you didn’t see these texts.

Welp… Good luck!

Emmett laughs reading over my shoulder. “Well, she did try to warn you.”

“Is he still here?” I hear Dani yell from upstairs.

“After that show, I’m not going anywhere,” Emmett yells back. “Get down here.”

I hear Dani’s tentative steps make their way towards us.

“Be nice,” I growl at my brother. He holds his hands up in surrender.

Dani appears at the bottom of the stairs, in one of my gray sweat suits that I know she picked because it makes her look like a giant blob. She’s staring down at the floor. “I want to be so excited you’re here right now. But I am so beyond embarrassed that I’m just going to go back home and let you guys have reunion time.”