Clara is a tough girl to please, and I have to start off on a good foot with her to make up for all of the bad she’s heard about me.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to keep taking the blame.”
“If it protects Layla and it doesn’t bother you, I’m just going to leave it alone.”
“It’s fine. And when it comes to Clara, she’s tough, but she just needs to understand things. If she sees how much I like you and how happy you make me, things will be fine.”
“Yeah, if I don’t screw it up somehow. I have to warn you. My track record for doing that doesn’t only include cheating on Layla. I can be a little clueless at times.”
“You’ll do great,” I said, not wanting to continue on the sad path. “Thanks for telling me about Bryan. I wish I could have met him.”
“Thanks. I know he would have liked you. And by liked, I mean he probably would have tried to take you from me. He liked to turn on his charm, and he was a hell of a lot better with the ladies than I ever was.”
I walked back to the dresser. “I don’t know about that. You’re sure good with me.” I finished my makeup by swiping on some mascara and added a little neutral lipstick and glossed it up a bit with a shimmer Abi had picked out for me.
I was so excited for us all to be on a date and hopeful that it would clear the air and make everything good between us. Thinking of going out on double dates and having another couple to hang out with now—and not to mention getting along during the holidays when we went back home with our dates—was nice. I just hoped it worked out.
“I’m ready,” I said about ten minutes later.
Seth was lying on the bed now, playing a game on his phone. He raised up and put it away. “You look so good you make me want to keep you here all to myself.” He got up and gave me a sweet kiss.
“Maybe we could be a little late?” I giggled, knowing he was determined to please my sister instead.
He turned a bit red, and I was glad I could at least make him blush. “You’re too tempting. I think we better wait until Clara’s used to me before we pull that kind of stunt.”
“Fine, I’ll behave.” I shrugged it off and pretended it didn’t bother me.
“Hey, I never said you had to do that. It’s a good drive to the restaurant, and I’m an excellent multitasker.” He wagged his brows and we both laughed.
“Hmm, now who is tempting who?” I felt an ache between my legs, wishing I had him there again. I had trusted him with so much that first night, but I never knew how much it was going to make me crave him.
I took him by the hand as we left my room. “We can go in my car if you want to drive.”
“Sure, it’s probably a lot more comfortable.”
When we went outside, I locked the apartment, and he held my hand and walked me around to open my door. “Are you sure you don’t mind me driving?”
“It’s fine. Dillon drove it all the time too, so Clara can’t say anything.”
Seth hurried around after shutting my door and got in behind the wheel. He drove out to the main freeway, and I called Clara to let her know we were on our way and should be on time just as we took the exit.
“We’re on our way,” I said.
“Okay, we’re almost there,” she said. “We’ll meet you out front. Be safe.”
“Okay, see you soon.” I hung up the phone and placed it on my leg instead of putting it away.
Seth glanced over and smiled as the light changed. “At least we won’t be late.”
He had no sooner gotten the words out of his mouth than the light changed. When he went, I caught something out of the corner of my eye, but when I turned my head, it was too late. The truck was going to hit us, and there was nothing I could do.
I felt the impact on my side, and that was the last thing I remembered.
Chapter 18
Seth
I barely saw the truck out of the corner of my eye as it ran the stoplight and crashed into Avery’s side of the car.
I was knocked out on impact, and when I came to, fighting through