All secrets kept in the dark eventually come to light.
Being the youngest Ford sibling and the only girl out of the four of us, I feel like the bar is set high for me.
My brothers have built very successful lives for themselves and the pressure to live up to them is often too much for me to handle.
But I don't tell them that.
I keep my struggles to myself.
I can handle everything on my own.
Until I can't ... and the only person I can get a hold of is my brother’s best friend.
Logan Bennett shows up to the rescue like a knight in shining armor. Only he isn't on a horse. He's on a motorcycle, and because he's older than me, he's completely off limits.
The problem is, I've always had a crush on him.
And in one night, everything changes between us.
Adding to the long list of things I keep from my brothers won't hurt, right?
It might once they find out about that last secret.
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Excerpt:
I make it to the library in less than five minutes, not bothering to drop the bike off at my apartment to grab my truck.
One thing about me is that I always follow the rules of driving and speed limits. However, I allowed myself this one exception to get to her as fast as I could.
As soon as I park, Emiline stands from the library’s front steps with her backpack on. Her arms wrapped around her waist, hugging herself as if she’s cold. But the weather here in early May is just the right temperature so she shouldn’t be.
Everything around her is dark, including the street light over the steps, which looks as if it closed hours ago. I pull off my helmet but don’t get off my bike, willing her to come to me.
“Happy birthday, Logan,” she says in almost a whisper as she approaches the bike. “I’m sorry for causing you such trouble on your special day.” She tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as her gaze falls to the concrete sidewalk. She’s too fucking perfect for her own good.
I scan her from top to bottom to make sure she’s okay and in one piece. Once my eyes land on her face, I see a tint of red in her cheeks and a puff under her eyes. Either Emiline hasn’t slept in days, or she’s been crying.
I can tell her calling me was more than just needing a ride.
I slightly lean back on my bike, crossing my arms over my chest. “Tell me what’s going on, Emmy.”
She rolls her eyes, and I fight a smile because I know she can’t stand that nickname.
“If I tell you, can you not tell my brothers? I don’t want them freaking out over me more than they already do.”
My mind travels to the worst-case scenario. Was Emiline on a date at the library, and he hurt her? If that’s the case, I’ll end up losing the job I worked so hard for because I’m going to fucking murder him.
I swallow before I speak. “I’m not going to say anything.”
Her eyes meet mine. No doubt she’s trying to see if I’m telling her the truth. She’s right to not trust me. I’ve given her no reason to put an ounce of trust in me the last few time I’ve seen her, acting like an asshole to her.
I give Emiline a slight nod, assuring her I will keep this between us. No matter what it is, I will help protect her with this.
As if she can sense my reassurance, she brings her bottom lip between her teeth once before finally speaking. “I had a panic attack.”
Relief floods my body, and I can feel my shoulders release the tension I didn’t even realize I was holding.
“They don’t know,” Emiline continues, her voice laced with panic. “I don’t want them to worry about me. Please, Logan.”
“I’m not great at keeping secrets,” I admit.
She groans, and it sounds pained like her world will fall apart if this ever gets out.
“But I’ll keep this one,” I add to reassure and calm her. “I’ll keep your secret. But you’ll have to keep a secret of your own.”
Her eyes lock with mine. Her blue eyes are stormy with uncertainty as if she’s holding the world’s weight on her shoulders, and the idea of adding one more secret will cause her to combust at any minute.
It makes every part of me feel on edge because the last thing I want is for her to carry any more weight.
But she eventually nods.
“You can’t tell them I picked you up on the motorcycle or that you’ve ever been on the back of it. They are going to be more worried about that more than anything else.”
“You didn’t need to come get me.”
“Yes, I did.”
Her eyebrows pinch together. “Why?”
“Because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you, Emmy. Grab the helmet strapped to the back and get on the bike. I’m taking you home.”
My body lights up from her stare as she looks me up and down, assessing the bike as if she has a choice in the matter right now. There’s no chance in hell that she’s not leaving here on the back of my bike.
“Is it safe?” she asks.
“No,” I shake my head. “But you’re safe with me.”
I don’t know if I believe that myself.
But I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep her safe.
That includes this secret.
