Unwritten (Woodlands 5)

“If it mattered so much, why keep it a secret?”

I exhale heavily. “Because I was worried about how you’d take it. You and Adam were mad at each other and I didn’t want to add to that.”

“Because you were afraid I was going to lose it and start abusing oxy again.” It’s not a question, but a matter-of-fact statement.

“Yes. That.” I peer up into his green eyes, so like my own, and see understanding tinged with frustration.

“You gotta stop worrying about me. I know you count my beers and are afraid that I’m going to trip during a party and accidentally snort up a line of coke, but I know my limits.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I stopped counting a while back. Besides, you worry about me, too. If you recall, I’m here”—I stretch out my arms—“because you were afraid that Marrow would come after me.”

“And I was right to be afraid because he did,” Davis replies smugly.

“Can you not with the ‘I told you so?’” I say. “Anyway, I’m sorry.”

“Why? Because you fell in love? I’m sorry you felt like you had to hide it from me. I didn’t want you to get hurt, you know?” He swings an arm around my neck and pulls me close.

“I know. You were watching out for me, like you always do. I appreciate that.”

“See, the problem is now I wonder if Adam’s making decisions he’s going to regret later because of you. Like selling the song.”

“I don’t see Adam doing anything with his music that he doesn’t want to do.”

“True.”

“Besides, this is your band, too. You’re a family, as he likes to say. You’re going to be making decisions together.” He scrubs his knuckles across the top of my head. I kick him in the shin to make him release me.

He laughs as I try to press my staticky hair into some semblance of order. Stupid big brothers.

“So where do we go from here?” he says.

“Are you okay with Adam and me as a couple?” My hope is tinged with worry. Part of me can’t believe all that has happened—not just the Marrow thing, but Adam saying he loves me. If Davis said he wasn’t okay with all of this, I wouldn’t be able to give Adam up. Not at this point so I really need him to be on board.

“Is that what you are?”

“I think so.” Davis arches an eyebrow. Okay, that’s stupid. We confessed we loved each other right in front of him. I take a deep breath. “Yes. We are. He wants me to stay for the rest of the tour. So even if you’re not okay with it, will you please try to work through this because I’m not giving Adam up.”

“What if I demand it?”

“Why would you do that?” I cry. “And, no. Even if you demanded it.”

“Even if I started using again?”

I punch him in the arm. He yelps.

“Stop being a smart ass,” I glower.

He smirks. “Sorry. Couldn’t help it. Look, I don’t care if you’re with Adam. I want you to be happy. All I ask is that you keep your sex stuff to yourself and no cooking.”

“I don’t want you to know about my sex stuff. Gross.” The thought of having sex with Davis a few feet away is never going to sit right with me. I nearly died in the bathroom when he came in. Talk about a lady boner killer. “But I am going to learn to cook.”

“Really?” Both eyebrows shoot up.

“Okay, maybe not,” I concede. I have no burning desire to do that, but it’s something I can tease Davis about.

“If you do, I’m voting you off the island. I’m going to get a cup of coffee. What do you want?” He reaches over to give me another irritating pat on the head, but I duck out of the way.

“Ham or turkey and a Coke.”