Page 24 of Seein’ Red

What’s the matter

Nothing

Liar. I know you. I know when something’s wrong

Shit…

7

NASH

Something is wrong.

Very, very wrong.

I look down at my phone, my single-word text glaring back at me. Mocking me.

Hey

Right above it sits the single emoji text I sent more than an hour ago as we all piled out of the limo at the library. Admittedly, the little bone icon was not the most imaginative code word for inquiring about a hookup, but I found it funny. I also figured it was a lot better than outright texting DTF—down to fuck—in case anyone was ever looking over my shoulder. A dog bone was much easier to explain away as something random just to push her buttons. Willa’s affirmative response of the middle finger was also more than understood on both accounts. It’s a code that’s served us well over the years.

The lack of said middle finger right now, though, has me worried. Or really, the lack of any response. If she wasn’t interested or was already busy, she’d have responded with that red circle with the diagonal line through it. The one that always makes me think there should be a ghost climbing out from behind it thanks to Ghostbusters.

Instead, only crickets.

Huffing out a hard breath, I slide down the seat of my truck, resting my head on the back. I drove around the town square for a couple of minutes, so sure that she’d respond right away, before parking in the alley behind the Llewellyn building. It’s a rather conspicuous spot, and I should probably move—especially since I’m in a Keller Landscaping truck—but I’m too focused on the text thread.

And the lack of response.

Why the hell isn’t she answering?

I mentally run through the morning, nothing standing out as extra special. Did she look hung over as she entered the room? Sure. But let’s not lie here—none of us looked bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Hell, I think Camden looked the worst out of all of us and he barely had a beer at the Braves game. And once Willa got food in her, she was her normal, sassy self.

Unlocking my phone again, I scroll up in the text thread, stopping when I get to the response she’d sent as soon as we were back on the road headed for Hickory Hills.

Willa

Bite me

Is that an offer?

No

Or is that what you told your new boy toy last night?

Wouldn’t you like to know

You can tell him whatever you want, Princess. He won’t be able to measure up. No one makes you scream like I do

You do not have the market cornered on orgasms, Nash. A vibrating toothbrush can accomplish what you do.

Just for that, maybe I need to take you over my knee and remind you exactly what I’m capable of

Her breath hitched at that last one, just audible enough to catch the attention of Bronwyn and Sylvie who were seated on either side of her. My already hard dick twitches at the memory of her cheeks turning pink as she quickly shut off her screen, flipping it down so no one could see.

Willa Hayes is beautiful all of the time. There’s no denying that. But when she blushes? Well, that might just be the eighth wonder of the world.

Apparently that blush and breath hitch didn’t mean what I thought they did though. Either that, or the world is ending.