Avenging Angel (Pounding Hearts 5)

I can hear Emmett wiping his hands together before he says, “I was thinking we’d get some pizza and catch a movie. You down for it?”

Casey’s face lights up and he’s quick to answer, “Yeah!”

Happy for Casey, I find myself smiling at his enthusiasm.

Then Emmett’s voice brushes against my ear. “How about you, Bree?”

“Me?” I blurt out in surprise.

Emmett chuckles. “Yes, you. Are you up for catching a movie with us?”

My first instinct is to tell him no, sorry, I’m busy. I have to wash my hair tonight and I seriously need to shave my legs.

But Casey turns his full attention on me, eyes pleading with me to accept.

I don’t know why he wants me to come out with them, but the thought of letting him down makes me feel a little sick.

Shit.

“I don’t know…” I murmur and squirm a little on the desk.

I’m supposed to have dinner with my father and Tristan tonight. If I don’t show up, my father is going to be absolutely livid.

And besides, the last thing I want to do is spend an entire evening with Emmett, especially when I need to be doing the exact opposite. I need to avoid his ass.

“Please?” Casey asks and the look he gives me causes my heartstrings to tighten.

Oh my god, how can I say no to that face? Right now, he looks so sweet and innocent, I can’t stand it.

Damn it all.

Emmett did this on purpose.

I guess it comes down to who am I willing to let down more? My father or Casey?

Sighing over all the shit this is going to cause, I answer reluctantly, “Okay. I guess I’m down for a movie.”

“Yes!” Casey exclaims as he bounces up a little and beams at me with pure happiness.

I try to smile back but now I feel sick at the thought of not only being in a dark theater with Emmett but also pissing off my father.

“Great,” Emmett says as if he expected that answer. “I’ll pick you up at your house at six?”

I shake my head, immediately shutting that down. “I’ll meet you at the theater.”

There’s no way I’m getting in a car with him.

“Yeah…” Emmett drawls out, and I brace myself for what’s going to come out of his mouth next. “That’s not going to work. We’re going to get pizza first, and it will be easier to pick you up than give you directions.”

Some of Casey’s happiness begins to fade away, replaced by a touch of concern as he looks between us.

Ugh. I no longer have the urge to kiss Emmett.

No, I want to strangle him as I clench my teeth together and try to hold a smile.

I can’t keep arguing with him though because it’s obviously upsetting Casey, and upsetting Casey completely defeats the purpose of agreeing to go in the first place.

So I have no choice but to accept his terms. “Fine. Pick me up at six.”