Page 226 of The Storm

“Just like that?” I call after him.

He turns around in the doorway, grins, and shrugs.

“Welcome home, Blue.”

I don’t wantto admit it, and I try to hide it as best I can, but I’m nervous. My fingers twitch and thrum against my thigh and twist the hem of my shirt, and then I realize I’m doing it and try to stop, only to then forget myself and start again.

“You know we don’t have to do it today,” I say.

He raises his brows at me. “I thought we were invited.”

“Well, yeah,” I say.

“But?” he prompts.

I cross my arms over my chest, slump into my seat, and sigh. “Can’t I just want you all to myself?”

“Blue,” he says as he takes my hand and pulls it toward him over the center console. He presses his lips against the back of my hand.

“I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.”

I make a face. “That’s not…” I sigh and rub my palm over my face. “I’ve slept with Dylan.”

He glances toward me, fingers tightening on the steering wheel for a moment before he gives me a measured nod. “I know.”

I resist the urge to avoid his gaze. It’s not like I can undo the past.

“Does it make me an asshole that I like that it bothers you?” I ask. “Because all the people you’ve slept with bother me, and I haven’t met any of them. I think. If I have, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. See? I don’t know anything about them, and I want to punch them anyway.” I blow out a breath. “I like that you’re jealous, but I also don’t want you to have to feel this way. But I also want you to like Dylan. He’s important to me.” I drop my head back against the seat. “Ignore me,” I mutter.

I open my eyes when he squeezes my thigh.

“I promise I’ll be good.”

“I know you will. I’m just saying…”

He looks like he’s about to laugh. “You’re just saying what, Blue?”

I sigh. “I won’t return the favor, okay? If it ever turns out you’re friends with any of your exes? I’ll be a dick. I won’t even promise I’ll try not to be one.”

“Blue,” he says and squeezes my thigh again.

“I hate the thought of you with somebody else,” I blurt and immediately make a face. “I wasn’t planning on saying that. Can we pretend I didn’t?”

“No,” he says.

“We should. Generally, as a courtesy, I think when somebody says something really dumb you should pretend they didn’t until they say something else that’s really dumb. Just in case the first time was a fluke, you know? Just… try not to burn any bridges.”

He makes a sudden right and pulls into a rest stop. I blink and look around when he parks.

“Are we getting a snack?” I ask.

He turns, facing me.

“Blue,” he says. “Look?—”

“Personally, I think a snack is a great idea,” I say. “Can we get chips? Who do you think th?—”

He leans forward and kisses me, cutting off my words, and I immediately lose my train of thought. When he pulls away, I chase him for a moment before I crash back down to earth.