Rocked (The Everyday Heroes World) - Julia Wolf Page 0,60
that’s mostly because we never know when we’ll have a call, so it’s hard to pop in.”
He cocked his head. “But you enjoyed it when I stopped by?”
“I did. Did I not say that?”
“No.” Another light kiss. “I never know with you. You’re always kicking me out and telling me you hate me.”
“That’s true, I do.” By now, I had plastered myself to him and his arms were banded around me. “Although, your visit caused an uproar in my life I didn’t expect.”
“Wait, what?” A deep crease appeared between his brows. “Why didn’t you tell me this days ago?”
Why hadn’t I? Because I was desperately trying to keep Devon compartmentalized from the rest of my life. I wasn’t doing a great job at it, and that was on me. I needed to be more firm when I drew lines or this would go down in flames and I would be the one who ended up charred. Making out on my front porch probably wasn’t a great start.
“It’s fine. Veego is an asshole, but that’s nothing new.” I pried myself off him and opened my door. “He’s out in the backyard with Ellie now, so…”
When Devon seemed to realize I wasn’t inviting him in, he took a step back. My heart wasn’t made of stone, though. The disappointment he so clearly broadcasted on his features had me wishing I could back down.
“I get it. Family time.” He reached down and picked up the guitar he’d propped against the house. “I thought maybe Ells would want to practice our song, but that’s cool.”
He jerked his chin. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
It was my turn to jerk back. Tomorrow was LA. I’d said I would go, so I would. “Of course. Why wouldn’t we be?”
He gave me the longest look, hazel eyes sliding along the planes of my face and chest. “Like I said, I never know where I stand with you.”
“Devon…” I reached out for his hand, the tips of my fingers touching his.
He slung his guitar over his shoulder. “This is better anyway. I’ve got stuff to do tonight. Packing and shit. I’ll just see you in the morning. You cool to head out at nine?”
My chest was tight as he took the steps backward, eyes on mine. “Nine is good.”
A sharp nod of his head was his only response. He gave me one last look, then turned, walking away with his head held high.
He was right, this was better. I needed a night with Ells, Rhea, and Veego to remind myself exactly who I was and what my priorities were before Devon whisked me away to his world—which would never be real for me.
Nineteen
Kat
Flying private had spoiled me forever. No long security lines, no overpriced fast food filling the terminals, no worries about germs and allergens. God, if I could take Ellie on private flights, we’d be jet-setters.
But this was a one-time event. I took a million pictures of the plane while Devon watched. Maybe I would have been embarrassed, but the look he gave me was so warm, I became flustered instead.
“You sending those to Ellie?” He was across from me in a cushy armchair while I was spread out on a leather couch. He’d been quiet from the second we got in the car to the airport, mostly scribbling in the notebook in his lap.
“Yeah, she’ll flip.” I raised my phone to take a picture of him. He stuck his tongue out at the last second, making me laugh. “She’ll probably frame that one.”
His smile was soft. “What’d she think of you going on a trip with me?”
I slipped my phone away. “She took it in stride. I don’t, you know, date a lot or spend time with men she’s aware of outside of Veego, so I don’t think she would even imagine something...more going on between us than friendship. She demanded pictures and for me to make a list of all the famous people I see, but also told me I should play it cool around them.”
I expected him to laugh, but he surprised me by turning thoughtful. Brow drawn into a tight line, he rubbed his chin. “She’s not wrong, though, is she? There’s nothing else going on between us.”
I blinked a few times and slid my palms down my thighs. “I typically don’t have sex with my friends.”
“Veego would probably beg to differ.”
Canting my head, I frowned. “I haven’t had sex with Veego since Ellie was conceived, so…”