Sweet Dandelion

“It’s kind of late.”

“I know.”

It’s well after one.

He exhales a heavy sigh. “Next time, come home sooner.”

“Are you giving me a curfew?” I stifle a laugh. I’m entirely amused, not angry.

“Yes. Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and if you go out on the other days you have to be home by ten.”

“Okay.”

He looks surprised. “You’re not going to fight me on this?”

“No. Should I?”

“I would have,” he admits reluctantly. I sit on the couch beside him and he sniffs the air. “Have you been smoking pot?” he accuses, looking murderous.

“Not me, but other people were.”

I conveniently leave out the part about Ansel supplying most of it.

“Fuck, Dani,” he stands up and paces in front of the coffee table, nearly stepping on my toes, “I don’t want you hanging out with those kinds of people.”

I snort. “Yeah, Sage, because we know you’ve been the poster boy for good decisions.”

He narrows his eyes. “Exactly, don’t be like me.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I grumble.

He musses his hair. “I … fuck, I worry about you, D. You’re all I have left. I want to keep you safe.”

I stand up, wrapping my arms around his middle. He hugs me back. “I love you, Sage, but I’m trying … trying to live, to be normal.”

“Now I feel like an ass.” He lets me go and looks down at me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Be careful and from now on if you go to a party call me to get you. I don’t want that kid driving you anymore.”

“That kid has a name.” My lips twitch with mirth.

Sage rolls his eyes and bites out, “Ansel.”

I laugh and hug him one last time before I shower, change into my PJs, and climb in bed. My body is tired and I fall right to sleep, but I dream, good dreams for the first time in nearly a year.

Of blue eyes and clasped hands and tangled sheets.

Of things I cannot have.

Chapter Nineteen

Knocking on Lachlan’s door at five minutes until nine I step back and wait for him to answer. I hear barking on the other side of the door and a bang when Zeppelin must catapult his entire body into the door.

“Zep, man, cool it!”

With that exclamation the door swings open and my breath catches as I see a glimpse of tan, smooth, muscled stomach a second before he pulls his shirt down over his body. My eyes travel his body, from the gray sleep shorts, to his bare feet, back up to the dimple in his chin, thick scruff, shimmering blue eyes, and sleep mussed hair.

Zeppelin pokes his head around Lachlan’s leg, tongue hanging out of his mouth.

“I’ve got that book for you,” he says, waving me inside. I inhale the smell of freshly cooked bacon and my stomach growls. Lachlan looks over his shoulder with a tiny boyish grin. “Hungry?”