Chapter 17: Forever Wild: Chapter 16

This may be the best first date I’ve ever been on.

Thor is everything I thought or hoped he would be. He’s cute. He’s smart and funny. Attentive.

He is that perfect combination of flirty yet respectful. I caught him checking out my cleavage, but he also spends a significant time on my eyes and he told me I looked nice.

We decided to meet up for drinks instead of dinner. It’s my standard first date itinerary to make sure I like a guy before committing to two hours of awkward conversation while eating at lightning speed to hurry things along.

“I’m having a great time,” he says, smiling at me. He has this golden retriever energy that is so likable and endearing.

“Me too.”

“Do you want to grab dinner?” he asks as the bartender is setting our second drink in front of us.

I hesitate for only a beat. “Yeah, yeah, that would be great.”

He takes the initiative and goes to the hostess up front to ask for a table. A few minutes later we’re being escorted to a small table in the back of the restaurant and menus are put in front of us. And all of a sudden, the date feels a lot more serious than it did two minutes ago. Thor is great and he seems to be into this, into me. And I’m, well, I’m still thinking about the annoying hockey player I left earlier today.

I don’t understand what his deal is. Jack’s, not Thor’s.

He’s into me. Whether he’ll admit it or not, I know that he is. The question is why wouldn’t he admit it? He is a gold star member of casual relationships. It isn’t like I asked him out on a date. And sure, I get that sleeping with a teammate’s sister is probably off-limits in his mind, but I’m not just Ty’s sister. I thought we’d moved past that over the last couple of weeks.

“So, where were we?” Thor asks, shaking me out of my Jack thoughts.

“Oh. Right.” I blink away the haze and think. “I was telling you about my brother. He’s great.”

“Older or younger?”

“Four years older, but we’re close.”

A pleased smile lifts both corners of his lips. “I love that. I’m close with my siblings too.”

I’m relieved he didn’t ask more about Tyler. I never tell a guy on the first date that my brother plays for the Wildcats. Having different last names makes it hard for people to guess. All the guys are local heroes and get recognized easily within fifty miles of the arena, but as long as I’m not walking next to Tyler, people don’t usually put it together.

I’m so proud of Ty, but all my life I’ve sat through dates and parties where people asked about him like I wasn’t the one sitting in front of them. For at least our first date, I’d like Thor to be more interested in me than my brother.

“Brothers or sisters?” I ask. I already know he has one of each from the cyber sleuthing I did, but I’m not about to admit that.

“Older sister and a younger broth…” His words trail off as his gaze, which had been pinned on my face, lifts and his eyes widen. “HOLY SHIT. Jack Wyld.”

My eyebrows crease. Did he just figure out somehow that my brother is a hockey player?

“No. I mean, yes, he’s a Wildcat, but my brother is⁠—”

Thor interrupts me. “Jack Wyld is here.” He gives me this big, goofy grin like we’re in on some secret together.

What the actual fuck?

“Holy shit.” He looks away from me again. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I turn slowly in the direction of the front of the restaurant.

I already know it’s going to be him. I can feel it in the fluttering of my stomach and the way my skin vibrates when he’s nearby, but I’m still not prepared for laying eyes on him.

It’s the first time I’ve seen him dressed in anything but athletic wear all summer, and goddamn I forgot how hot he is. A white T-shirt stretches across his chest. His jeans are casual but fit in a way that show off his fit and toned body. His dark hair, freshly cut by me, is styled in his signature slicked-back look. It really isn’t fair that he’s so fucking hot.

Jack is talking to the hostess. His lips are curved in a smile that doesn’t meet his eyes. His gaze lifts and locks on me. I suck in a breath at the sight of him. He doesn’t tear his eyes away as he continues talking to the woman. She nods and then he starts toward us.

Thor is talking, saying something about how much of a fan he is and how excited he is to see him. I barely hear any of it because Jack is headed straight for us.

I already knew it was too much of a coincidence for him to be here for any other reason, but my pulse still races with every step that brings him closer.

He comes to a stop next to our table and his stare burns into me. I can feel the way he notices my hair, my makeup, even the way I’m dressed. I put a lot of effort into my appearance tonight. Thirty seconds ago, I would have said it was for Thor’s benefit. But the way Jack looks at me, I wonder if deep down I was waiting for this exact moment. His dark eyes finally flick up to meet mine.

“Oh my god, Jack Wyld!” Thor’s excitement breaks the moment. “I am such a huge fan.”

Almost lazily, Jack’s gaze slides over to him. “Thanks.”

“I’m Thor.” My date stands and extends a hand. If he has any clue what’s going on, I can’t tell.

A muscle in Jack’s cheek flexes as he shakes Thor’s hand and he says, “Can we have a minute?”

“That’s not necessary,” I interject. I already know Thor will do anything Jack asks of him. With his big, kind eyes, he looks from me to Jack. I have to give Thor some credit because he doesn’t leave.

“Fine,” Jack relents. “Then, do you mind if I join you?”

“Yeah, of course.” Thor looks around frantically. “Here. Take my chair. I’ll get another.”

I want to roll my eyes, but instead sigh and lift one elbow onto the table.

“Thanks, Thor.” A smug smile pulls at his lips as Jack drags the chair over to the side of the table and takes a seat.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him.

His happy little façade slips and the serious and intense gaze that is far more familiar appears. “You know what I’m doing here.”

“Do I?” I bat my lashes innocently.

Thor returns with the chair. As he takes a seat, he stares between us like he’s trying to figure out what the hell is going on. That makes two of us.

“How do you two know each other?” Thor asks.

“We’re friends.” I enunciate the last word very clearly and that muscle in Jack’s cheek jumps again.

“That’s awesome.” Thor’s smile falters slightly. “That was a tough end to last season, but you look great and I heard you were going to be back ready to go by camp.”

The discomfort that immediately takes hold of Jack makes a rush of sympathy temporarily erase my annoyance at him for ambushing my date.

Before Jack can reply, I say, “Excuse me. I’m going to grab another drink at the bar.”

Both of them eye the not yet empty glass in front of me so I swallow it in one gulp, then proceed across the restaurant to the bar.

I haven’t even ordered yet when Jack joins me.

I glare at him, not that it has any effect on him.

“Your date looks like he’s five seconds from running.”

“Don’t act like you care.”

“You and I can’t happen.”

“You came all the way here tonight, ruined my date, just to tell me you aren’t interested? How sweet. You really know how to make a girl feel special.” I step closer to him and his throat works with a swallow .

“Dammit, Ev. You know I’m right.”

I break his gaze to glance over at the table. Thor is flagging down the server in a clear signal for the check. “Perfect. Now you’ve ruined my dinner too.”

Jack’s voice softens. “If he scares that easily, then he’s not the right guy for you.”

“I don’t care about the right guy,” I whisper-shout.

“Yes, you do. Deep down you do.”

I don’t know if he’s just trying to tell me Thor isn’t the right guy or if he’s insinuating that he isn’t either. Knowing Jack, both. Everything he says is a puzzle.

“You’re not interested anyway so it doesn’t concern you,” I snap. “Why are you here, Jack?”

His jaw clenches as he stares at me without answering.

“Jack Wyld!” Another fan calls out to him, and I take the opportunity to flee back to the table.

Thor gives me an apologetic smile, still so nice even as he’s about to end our date early.

“It seems like you two have some things to discuss so I went ahead and paid our check.”

“No, we’re all good,” I say. “Sorry about all that. Do you want to go somewhere else and grab another drink? I’m not really hungry anyway.”

“Uhh…” He glances at the bar and then back. “You seem like a cool girl, Everly. How about you call me in a few days if you’re still interested.”

My temper flares, but not at him, so I nod. “Yeah. I’ll do that.”

I head outside but don’t call a ride yet. When Jack exits, he looks around for me and his features relax the instant he spots me. Then harden again as if he can’t quite decide if he’s relieved or angry. That makes two of us.

I turn toward him. “You don’t get to tell me who or what I want. I’m not the teenage kid you used to protect. I’m a grown-ass woman.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because it’s a real asshole move showing up here and ruining my night after you already ruined my afternoon.”

“That’s not why I came here.”

“Really? Because so far nothing you say or do makes any sense.”

People in the parking lot are starting to stare. Not that I care, but he obviously does.

“Let’s talk on the way home,” he says.

“I’m not getting in the car with you.”

“Yes, you are.”

I arch a brow in defiance. I don’t even know why anymore. He just makes me so angry. Who the hell does he think he is, showing up here and ruining my date and then bossing me around?

“You can walk or we can test out how strong my knee is and I’ll carry you.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” I seethe.

“Wouldn’t I?”

He would, and god, why is that so hot?

“Whatever. You owe me a ride anyway.” I take off toward his SUV at a quick pace. He unlocks it before I get there.

“You look nice,” he says when we’re seated with the engine running. Cool air blasts through the vents.

“Are you sure you can notice things like that? What with your total and complete disinterest in me and all.”

“I never said I wasn’t interested. I said we weren’t happening.

”

“You said you didn’t see me like that.” The words still pain me. I’m a goddamn catch.

“You and I getting involved is a bad idea.”

“Why? Afraid I’ll get attached?” This time I do roll my eyes. “I told you, that won’t happen.”

He drives away from the restaurant without answering me. Not that I really expected him to.

There’s a comfort in being with Jack, even when I’m fighting with him, but I don’t let myself relax. I want to hold on to this anger.

“Can you drop me off at Mike’s?” The local college bar is one of my favorites. I need to let off some steam. Possibly throw darts while imagining the board is Jack’s big head.

“No.” He keeps going, finally pulling up in front of my house. Mine for only a little while longer. Ty owns it and I’ve been renting from him.

It’s a light-yellow three-bedroom within walking distance to campus. I’ll be sad to leave it, but right now I am not ready to go inside.

“Thanks for the ride.” My fingers grab hold of the door handle.

“Wait.” His tone is sharp, and I hate the way my body reacts before my brain has time to kick in.

“What?” I look over at him.

The struggle on his face pushes me out of the vehicle. I don’t need him to give me some pity speech or list all the reasons why he isn’t interested in me. I have more pride than that.

I shut the passenger door and take off down the sidewalk in the direction of Mike’s, but Jack is circling behind the SUV and cuts me off.

“God dammit, Everly. I’m not afraid of you getting attached.

”

He hovers over me. Even in my heels, he’s a good head taller than me. His stare surveys my face, settling on my lips and then dragging up to my eyes. “I’m afraid I will.”

I’m still deciphering his meaning when he steps to me, lifts his left hand to the side of my neck, and kisses me.

Shock makes my other senses slow to respond, but a tingle starts at my lips and works its way through my body.

He’s afraid of getting attached to me?! It’s too bizarre to comprehend, but my stomach bottoms out and a giddy sensation spreads through me.

Why haven’t we been doing this every day, all day?

His lips work mine over, as demanding and controlling as I expected. Look at that, I found the one situation in which I don’t want to fight back. Nope, I’m as compliant as I’ve ever been.

His thumb drags along the side of my neck and his teeth scrape against my lower lip as he tugs it before diving in again. He captures the needy groan that escapes my mouth and hums in appreciation.

He walks us backward until my shoulder blades ram into the side of his G-Wagon. I’m trapped between it and his body. Both of his hands now hold the sides of my neck, the tips of his fingers tangle in my hair.

I grip the front of his T-shirt and arch into him. The way our bodies line up feels so perfect. I’m seconds from rubbing up against him, when he pulls back.

His lips are wet and slightly swollen, and his chest heaves in time with mine.

“Do you want to come inside?” I ask, still hazy.

Instead of answering, Jack lowers his shoulder and picks me up.

“What are you doing?

”

“Testing out the knee.” His gravelly voice vibrates through me and an ache shoots straight to my core.

“Jack.” I laugh. “I can walk.”

But he’s already taking the steps up the porch. He sets me down in front of the door. I punch in the code to unlock it and then push the door open.

I step inside but Jack doesn’t move.

“Are you coming?” I ask.

He shakes his head. The heat in his gaze still burns through me. “Now you don’t have to go to Mike’s, looking for someone to kiss you.”

“What if I was looking for more than kissing?”

One side of his mouth lifts. “If you think someone can fuck you better than I just kissed you, be my guest.”

So fucking confident. Also, he’s probably right.

“That’s it?”

Reaching forward, he pulls the door closed between us.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” I yell at him through the door.

“Night, Ev.”

A few seconds pass before his footsteps sound on the porch, heading back to his vehicle. I turn and rest my back against the wooden door and then laugh. “You win this round.”