Page 8 of Coming Home
I started to object until he took my hand again and the soft, smooth feel of his palm against mine had me closing my mouth. If this wasn’t a date, why was Reed flirting with me? Holding my hand and teasing me the way he was. I liked the feeling of his skin against mine and the way he squeezed my fingers lightly to let me know he was there.
“I could really go for a greasy burger right about now.” He tugged on my hand. “Good luck, Silas.” He waved goodbye tohis brother with his free hand, while still holding mine with the other.
I faithfully followed behind Reed as he led me back into the crowd of people, willing this to turn into something more. More than friendship. Something that I had been craving for a long time. Something like love.
Chapter Four
Reed
Ishould have been watching my brother race. But I was too busy staring at Cole. His entire face was lit up like the Fourth of July, his eyes wide with excitement as he stared at the cars as they tore around the track. The smile on his face was ten miles long, and his fingers stayed tangled with mine. The only time Cole had let go of my hand was when he ate his burger. But then he had reached for me again, and my heart had fluttered happily in my chest.
The breeze blew Cole’s dark curls away from his face, carrying the heavy scent of gasoline and exhaust. He hollered with excitement when Silas passed the car in front to take the lead and tugged on my hand as he shot to his feet. I couldn’t bring myself to stop staring at him even when the race was over and it was time to head down to the pits to congratulate my brother on his win.
Cole grinned at me when our eyes met, and my heart rate shot up to a thousand. This was so bad. I shouldn’t be falling for him or getting any ideas that we’re anything more than friends. I tried to pry my fingers from his, but he gripped my hand together. I still had Cole’s hat on my head, and that didn’t go unnoticed by my brother the second he saw me. I wasn’t someone who wore hats. I didn’t think they looked good on me. But I liked the fact that it belonged to Cole. That it was something of his that I could wear.
“Nice hat.” Silas laughed as he pulled me into a tight hug. He squeezed me tightly against him.
I blushed, and instead of commenting, I went a different route. “Congrats, little brother.” Even though he was taller than I was now, Silas would always be my little brother.
Silas snorted. “Fine, we’ll play it your way.” He leaned closer. “I want details later, though.” He clapped me on the back just as Mia launched herself at him. My sister held her own when it came to racing, but this was something the two of them enjoyed doing together.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself,” Dad said.
The way he was watching Cole had me wondering what else he wanted to say to him. Mom had been nice enough during the race, trying to figure him out. My parents had witnessed my heartbreak, and I knew that they were just worried it would happen again. I loved them for that, but I was an adult now and could take care of myself. Maybe.
“I had a blast, sir. Watching Silas race his way to the front like that? Damn, it was amazing. I can’t wait to watch another one,” Cole admitted. “I mean, if I’m invited. I don’t want to assume you’ll have me again.”
Warmth spread throughout my belly. “Silas is racing again on Wednesday night. We can go again, if you want.”
“That sounds great.” Cole clapped, then once again reached for one of my hands and threaded our fingers together. It felt perfect.
Dad nodded. “Well, we’re going out for ice cream like we always do once we’ve cleaned up and packed up the car. Reed, you and your boyfriend are welcome to join us unless you have other plans.”
My what?My breath caught in my throat at his words, and I was terrified to make eye contact with Cole. I didn’t want him tothink I was going around telling people we were together. “Dad, he’s not—”
“We’d love to.” Cole interrupted me before I could get the words out. He flashed me a smile that made my knees weak, his baby blues shining with happiness.
Mom looked like she might want to say something, too, but she just squeezed my shoulder. “Be careful, sweetheart.” Her words were for only me to hear, but it made me stop for a second.
Maybe all of this was too much. Maybe Cole wasn’t the man I thought he was. But then again, last time wasn’t his fault. He hadn’t intended to hurt me. He had no idea I had a crush on him or that I had wanted more from him. We had been two kids writing letters to one another. We had no idea what the future had in store for us. I never should have gotten so attached.
Cole helped Dad and Silas pack up everything into the trailer, moved around all the heavy equipment, tires, and parts into the back. It was hard not to stare at the way his muscles flexed beneath his shirt. How his biceps pushed the limits of the fabric as he made casual conversation with my family. It was almost like he was made for me. He fit right in.
“You’ve got a little bit of something right here,” Mia teased. I pushed her hand away when she pretended to wipe my mouth. “I mean, Cole is pretty hot.”
I had never wanted to protect someone so badly in my life. “Back off. He’s mine. I saw him first,” I hissed through clenched teeth.Whoops.
“Okay.” Mia wiggled her brows. “You’ve staked your claim. I mean, you’re wearing his hat, and the two of you haven’t stopped holding hands for most of the night, so I sort of already figured that out.”
I stared at my sister. “That’s not true.” But it was. And neither of us seemed to care.
“And he’s been busy staring at you,” Mia added.
My brows dipped. “He watched the race.”
“But that was the only time his eyes weren’t glued to you. Face it, Reed, that man is just as into you as you’re into him.” Mia folded her arms over chest and popped a brow.
I glanced over at Cole just as he looked away. Was he interested in more than being friends? “That doesn’t mean anything.” But I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince Mia or myself.
