Page 20 of Take The Risk

​Ty’s smile, which was slightly crooked, had the air stalling in my lungs. Then he glanced down where I was still rubbing the cramp in my leg. “Cramp?”

​“Huh?” I loved the way his firm lips were surrounded by little smile lines that matched the ones around his eyes. His teeth were perfectly straight except the one canine, which was angled slightly backward.

​“Phoebe?” Ty’s voice slammed me back to the present. Ty’s smirk said it all.

​Oh, right.“ I was just thinking—I spaced out.”

​Ty’s face said he didn’t believe me, but he was gentleman enough to let it go. “I said, ‘How about I help you out of the car?’ Your leg cramping is a pretty good sign you shouldn’t try living in here.”

​At the mention of my cramp, the pain came roaring back, and I grimaced. “Probably a good idea.”

​Ty’s hand replaced his face as he stood up. I’d never had a man hold out a hand to help me out of my car before, let alone have a man not only notice when I was feeling trapped but step in and make sure I had space. It was a little unnerving.

​Trying to act cool, I slid my hand over his, ignoring the way his wrapped around mine, making me feel delicate and protected.

​“Sorry, ma’am!” One of the men tipped his head to me as soon as I was out of the car. All the men were still standing around but giving me a little more space.

​“We didn’t mean to block you in.” One of the men I recognized from holding the pole gave me a sheepish look.

​With all eyes on me, my fingers instinctually tried to close together; only Ty’s hand remained steady on mine. His calluses were rough. One felt slightly jagged, like maybe it was cut, which made me curious. Instead of letting go, Ty’s hand seemed to tighten around mine.

​Usually, if I couldn’t rub my fingers together, I’d wish for a pen so it didn’t look so bizarre, and one of my other tics would settle in. But the panic that usually came when attention was on me didn’t fully arrive. My knees trembled a little, and I knew a good curl-up in the fetal position wasn’t exactly off the table, but I wasn’t there…yet.

​“It’s okay.” It wasn’t, and I regretted not being able to say it. “I’m glad you guys enjoyed the muffins.”

​“Muffins?” Ty looked at the group of men in disgust. “I’m not even surprised. You guys are animals. Apologize. Now!”

​“It’s okay—” I tried to say, but he cut me off.

​Giving my hand a gentle but firm squeeze, he told me, “No. It’s not okay.” The look he gave me was serious and annoyed, but I could tell he wasn’t annoyed at me. I hoped. “You were trapped in the car and none of them thought about helping you out.”

​“Ah, hell.” One of the men stepped forward, twisting his baseball cap around on his head so it was backward. “Ty’s right, ma’am. We apologize.”

​All the men agreed, nodding, offering apologies and words of thanks for the muffins. Even Wade came forward, full of contrition, admitting he should have known better. “I’m a little distracted when food is around.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “And your muffins were the best I’ve ever had.” There was a hopeful look on his face when he said, “Please say you forgive me and will prove it with more?”

​Ty slapped Wade upside the head. “Stop thinking with your stomach and get back to work.”

​Wade glared at Ty. “She hasn’t answered!”

​Unable to help myself, I giggled. I’d never known anyone like them. “I do forgive you.”

​Wade gave me a considering look, sidling closer to me. “I want to believe you…I really do.”

​Ty threw out a hand, which smacked right into Wade’s chest. They exchanged some kind of look I couldn’t decipher at the same time I fell for his trap. Rookie. “I mean it,” I promised.

​ Whoa. I didn’t know what passed between Ty and Wade, but I took an instinctive step back at the level of intensity suddenly on Wade’s face. As quickly as it came, it disappeared in time with my backward step, which really wasn’t much of one with the car at my back and Ty still holding my hand. I’d forgotten all about it, finding the way his hand wrapped around mine comforting, but now I felt entirely too trapped.

​Wiggling my fingers, I was relieved when Ty let go, though I had to clench my fist against the sudden cold.

​Wade didn’t miss a single thing. Fortunately, his grin returned. “Does your forgiveness come with more muffins?”

​“Su—sure?” What the hell was all that? I spent my life studying people for my work, so I was pretty good at noticing changes, even if I couldn’t always decipher the why.

​“Today?” Wade persisted, but I noticed he kept himself back.

​“Just get back to work,” Ty griped, running his hand down his face. His thumb left a track of clean skin through the gray-brown dust. At least I hoped it was dust. “Now, Wade.”

​Wade gave up, and after giving me a sweet thank you for the muffins I brought with one more plea for more, he headed back into the house, smacking a hard hat onto his head.