The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(20)

“I just want you to be happy.”

“I know. And I want the same for you—but you can’t put my happiness on a timeline just so you feel better.”

His words smack me across the face. I didn’t realize that was what I was doing, but he’s completely right.

He slips from the kitchen, and I listen to the soft sound of his feet on the stairs before I go to the family room and lay down on the couch.

Sleep never comes.





CHAPTER 15





SALEM





When I pull into my mom’s driveway, Thayer is in his unloading groceries. He raises his hand, shielding his eyes from the sun. Putting my SUV in park, I silently curse when I see Thayer in my rearview mirror. He walks up to my side and taps the window. Putting the window down, I can’t help my sarcasm when I blurt, “Solicitors aren’t welcome here.”

It’s obvious he wasn’t expecting that. His lips twitch, trying not to laugh, but he finally gives in. Putting his hands up in front of his chest, “No soliciting here. I wanted to see if you needed some help.”

My mom leans around my body. “How sweet. We’d love some.”

I have to bite my tongue to not growl out, “Mom.”

Thayer crosses his arms, leaning into my car. He’s right there. I can smell his familiar scent. It reminds me of the outdoors, woodsy and rugged. All man. He smiles at me. He knows what he’s doing, pushing himself into my space and he’s going to keep doing it. Our roles are entirely reversed from six years ago and I’m not sure I like it. I must’ve been so annoying. He should’ve told me to take a hike.

“Why don’t you give me the keys and I’ll get the door unlocked for you?”

“Huh.” I blink, stunned.

“The keys.” He grins slowly. “To the house.”

My mom reaches over, turning off the ignition. She holds the keys out to him. “Thank you, Thayer. That’s so thoughtful of you.”

He takes the keys, retreating from the inside of my car and taking his intoxicating scent with him.

It’s really unfair that it has been this long, and he still has a way of making me drunk off his presence. He could bottle that power up and sell it like a lethal weapon. It might only work against womankind, but let’s be real the men are useless without us.

While Thayer unlocks the door, I get out of the car, taking a deep breath to help clear my head. It gets unreasonably foggy around him.

I make my way around the car to get my mom, but he’s already getting her door and offering his hand.

It shouldn’t make me mad that he’s helping.

But it does.

He broke me—shattered my heart, and now he’s acting like the past didn’t happen.

Since he’s helping her inside, I grab her bag and follow them, all the while keeping my grumbling to myself.

He helps her into one of the kitchen chairs, saying something to her I can’t hear as he does.

I’m annoyed—that he’s here. That he’s helping. That he’s in my space. And most importantly that he still makes me feel things. This is why I was scared to come back here. I worried my feelings for him were still just as strong. Turns out, I was right to be afraid.

Yanking open the refrigerator more forceful than necessary, I swipe a Diet Coke and turn around, popping the top on the can. Thayer’s eyes flicker from the can to my eyes.

“Water’s better for you.”

“I’ve been told a time or two.”

“You really should drink more water, Salem.” Now my mom’s joining in on the let’s slander Salem for her love of soda.

“Right now, this what I want. I could have worse vices, you know? I could be a homicidal maniac.”

Thayer’s chuckle is amused. “I thought most people used the drug addict analogy.”

“I’m not most people.”

He ducks his head, unable to hide his growing smile. “No, you’re certainly not.”

“I’m feeling really tired,” my mom announces. I quickly set my drink down and rush to her side, but I can’t get to her with Thayer’s big body blocking me. “Do you want to lay down?” I ask from behind Thayer, trying to peer over his big shoulders but it’s impossible unless I stand on my tiptoes and use his arm for support and I’m not touching him.

“That might be a good idea.”

“I’ve got her.” Thayer dismisses me, helping my mother up. She moves on her own two feet holding onto his side, but I know he’ll scoop her up in a second if she shows signs of needing it.

She settles in the hospital bed, her eyes heavy. “Why don’t you two go do something? I’m going to be napping anyway.”

“Why would we—” I start, but Thayer swoops in and cuts me off.

“That sounds like a great idea, Allie. You sleep and we’ll be back soon. Call us if you need anything.”

Steam practically shoots out of my ears.

“You can’t just—” He puts a hand on my lower waist, guiding me away from my mom back to the kitchen. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snap.

“Why not?” He argues back, a stupid little smirk on his lips. I hate more than anything that this amuses him. “We still have plenty to talk about.”