“I’m just saying, don’t get your panties all in a twist with me. I’ve been one of the few in your corner.” She flicks a blonde strand over her hair and waves at the bartender. “I’ll take whatever they’re drinking,” she says, pointing at the drinks in front of us.

I swallow my annoyance at this whole situation. “Have you talked to her?”

“Mmhmm.” She doesn’t offer up any information.

“I just… what did she say? Has she mentioned saying anything to Parker? I just, want to know when the fuck I’m going to see her.”

“You know you’re awfully concerned about her telling Parker when I don’t see you telling Uncle Kev and Aunt Michelle.” She eyes me over the beer the bartender places in front of her. Her green eyes narrowed into slits.

“She said she wanted Parker to know first.”

“But then she said you went all ‘I’ll tell them,’” she says in a deep voice as an attempt to imitate me. “Someone worried all of a sudden?”

“I’m not worried, I just… it’s a big thing. Telling them this.”

My phone vibrates with a text message and adrenaline kicks in when I see her name on the screen. My heart begins to race and I realize I’m nervous about what it could say. Her flight was canceled. They decided to stay longer. She changed her mind about everything.

Fuck. I am losing it.

Whitney: I’m coming home.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

Me: Thank God. When?

Whitney: Now. And I’m alone.

I immediately pick up the phone and slide off the bar stool to have some privacy.

“Hi,” she says after only one ring.

My fingers itch with anticipation of having her in my arms. My heart races as I think about pressing my lips to hers. My dick hardens that the thought of being inside her. How fucking soon? “When will you be here?”

“I just got to the airport; I should be there around seven California time.” She sighs. “I cannot wait to get the fuck out of this state.”

“What happened, baby?”

“Parker needs to stay another day or two. They haven’t cleared him to fly and I can’t miss any more school. I’ve probably missed too much as it is,” she explains.

“I’ll pick you up.”