Just the two of us.
Her lips part slightly.“Sure.The Grill?”
I open my mouth, but before I can answer, Blane cuts through the quiet.“I heard that.”
He swivels around, walking backward, and the image of him falling flat on his ass has me wrestling to lock down a smile.
“Grace and I came together, so she should head back to Meri’s with me.We’ll meet you there.”He’s a smug bastard.
With keys in her hand, Grace looks from him to me, and a coil of frustration winds low in my gut.The last thing I want is him tagging along or her climbing into a car with him again.
The words rush out before I can think twice.“Grace is coming with me.We’ll meet you there.”
He opens his mouth—maybe to argue—but something in my expression must kill the inclination.“Fine, Coach.Text me the address.”
Her gaze flicks between us, a question in her eyes I don’t have the guts to answer.I unlock my truck and nod toward the passenger side.“Let’s go.”
Chapter23
Maddox
The Grizzly Paw glows warm against the dusk, and while we won’t exactly be alone, we won’t be at home with my mother and Blane either.I’ll take it.
Grace stares at the lit wooden paw above the door and pauses, forehead knitting.“Do you get a lot of grizzly bears around here?”
I hold the door open.“Sometimes.Winslow Grove has had its sightings.”
“Seriously?”She grips the doorframe.
Grinning, I nudge her inside, dipping my head close to be heard over the crack of pool balls and low music.
My lips graze the shell of her ear.“Don’t worry, Buchanan.I’ll protect you.”
She shivers and gently shoves me aside, glaring at me.I chuckle, wrap my palm around her cold fingers, and glance around the room for an empty table.
Shit.
Oliver immediately spots us, lifting his beer in greeting.“Coach.”
My smile tightens as we head toward a table full of my friends—of course they’re here.There goes any hope of just the two of us.
“Hey, Mad.”Wren’s smile widens when she spots the blonde at my side.“Grace, glad to see you’re surviving with this one.”She flicks her chin at me.
Grace laughs softly.“There have been moments.”
I press my hand firmly into the small of her back and murmur for only her to hear, “I could say the same.”
Her steps stutter, and I’m not sure if it’s at my touch, my teasing, or the warmth of my words feathering the length of her neck.She glances back at me, cheeks rosy, eyes gleaming.
“Mad.Grace.How’s it going?”Percy holds her beer up at us.
“Hey, Wren.Perce.”I nod, and Grace steps in beside me and waves.
Across the table, Zoe lifts her camera in greeting.“Maddox.”Her eyes move to Grace with easy warmth.“Hi, I’m Zoe.Wren’s best friend and town photographer.”
“Hi, Zoe.”Something lights up in Grace’s expression, and she turns into me slightly, dropping her voice.“Pike’s Hardware, is this the same Zoe?And is she any good with a camera?”
The question lands close—her shoulder brushing mine, her breath warm near my jaw.I keep my eyes forward.“Yeah.Won some award.”