Dev watched Jess, waiting for either a cue or a comment, but neither seemed forthcoming.
Kenny’s first notes brought him into focus. The chance for them to comment was gone. He’d hear about it later. Dev wasn’t sure what they’d say, but there would be something, he was certain of it.
○ ○ ○
Dev fought to keep his eyes off Lindsay while he played. Her toes, painted a delicate shade of pink, tapped in time with the beat he laid down and repeatedly caught his attention. Against his will, Dev’s eyes followed the curve of her heel and slowly rose up the silky path of her calf and thigh. Lindsay’s skirt initially sat just partway up her thigh and Dev was grateful for the hard stop it provided, forcing his attention back to the song. Not that anyone seemed to notice his attention ever strayed. After a few songs, Lindsay shifted in her seat and her skirt rode up enough to keep Dev’s attention slightly longer.
Jess’s arm draping around Dev’s shoulder made him want to swear. As if Lindsay’s legs weren’t enough of a distraction already! Dev shrugged Jess off and backed away from him. He didn’t have any pre-planned practical jokes ready. Yesterday he almost set Jess’s hair on fire and caught hell for it. After that shock, Dev forgot to prepare anything else from the list of ideas he’d complied.
As Jess came in to try again, Dev darted in and stepped hard on his toes. It was a trick he’d used before, but it was effective and it was all he could think of. The girls laughed as Jess hastily backed away and even Alec gave them an approving nod. Of course anything was better than seeing Jess’s hair smoldering again. He’d have to remember to be careful with modified fireworks in the future.
Alec eventually called an end to the day’s work, satisfied with their performance. Dev grabbed Lindsay, shot off an excuse about taking her to dinner, and bolted before anyone had a chance to corner them with questions. He’d probably pay for it in triplicate later, but for now he only wanted to be alone with her.
He closed the car door after getting Lindsay seated and was surprised to find her laughing when he slid behind the wheel.
“What’s so funny?” Dev asked.
“You. I’m pretty sure we’re not being chased.”
Dev nodded in acknowledgment, but chose not to comment. Instead he just pulled out of the driveway. He wasn’t even sure where to go, he just had the pressing need to be elsewhere. And with Lindsay.
“How bad is it going to be later?” Lindsay asked after a minute.
“I’m not sure. It was pretty quiet in there.”
“I noticed. I kept expecting Jess to say something stupid, but I couldn’t imagine what. I guess Bren’s presence kept him in line.”
“That’s why Bryan brought her over early. Yesterday was hell.”
“You mentioned that. I guess it’s a good idea to clear out and let him talk some sense into them then.”
“I thought so.”
“Now, tell me the truth, are you hungry?” Lindsay asked.
Dev wasn’t, but this was their time alone together. Given it was evening, that meant he fed her.
“No. It’s close to the dinner hour, so I’m resorting to pre-established patterns of behavior. I’m open to suggestions.”
“Good,” Lindsay said brightly. “Turn around then, head back toward the junior high.”
Dev didn’t question her, he turned around and headed back the way they’d come. Lindsay wouldn’t tell him their destination, she gave Dev occasional directions such as ‘turn left’ or ‘you should have turned right back there.’ Eventually, she led Dev to a small overgrown area where a house had been torn down long ago and the yard and foundation were left to be reclaimed by nature.
Lindsay didn’t wait for Dev to get her door, she hopped out of the car as soon as Dev parked. He hurried to join her behind the car, wondering what she was thinking.
Carefully placing her hands on the trunk, Lindsay pushed herself up and sat facing Dev. She
Kenny’s first notes brought him into focus. The chance for them to comment was gone. He’d hear about it later. Dev wasn’t sure what they’d say, but there would be something, he was certain of it.
○ ○ ○
Dev fought to keep his eyes off Lindsay while he played. Her toes, painted a delicate shade of pink, tapped in time with the beat he laid down and repeatedly caught his attention. Against his will, Dev’s eyes followed the curve of her heel and slowly rose up the silky path of her calf and thigh. Lindsay’s skirt initially sat just partway up her thigh and Dev was grateful for the hard stop it provided, forcing his attention back to the song. Not that anyone seemed to notice his attention ever strayed. After a few songs, Lindsay shifted in her seat and her skirt rode up enough to keep Dev’s attention slightly longer.
Jess’s arm draping around Dev’s shoulder made him want to swear. As if Lindsay’s legs weren’t enough of a distraction already! Dev shrugged Jess off and backed away from him. He didn’t have any pre-planned practical jokes ready. Yesterday he almost set Jess’s hair on fire and caught hell for it. After that shock, Dev forgot to prepare anything else from the list of ideas he’d complied.
As Jess came in to try again, Dev darted in and stepped hard on his toes. It was a trick he’d used before, but it was effective and it was all he could think of. The girls laughed as Jess hastily backed away and even Alec gave them an approving nod. Of course anything was better than seeing Jess’s hair smoldering again. He’d have to remember to be careful with modified fireworks in the future.
Alec eventually called an end to the day’s work, satisfied with their performance. Dev grabbed Lindsay, shot off an excuse about taking her to dinner, and bolted before anyone had a chance to corner them with questions. He’d probably pay for it in triplicate later, but for now he only wanted to be alone with her.
He closed the car door after getting Lindsay seated and was surprised to find her laughing when he slid behind the wheel.
“What’s so funny?” Dev asked.
“You. I’m pretty sure we’re not being chased.”
Dev nodded in acknowledgment, but chose not to comment. Instead he just pulled out of the driveway. He wasn’t even sure where to go, he just had the pressing need to be elsewhere. And with Lindsay.
“How bad is it going to be later?” Lindsay asked after a minute.
“I’m not sure. It was pretty quiet in there.”
“I noticed. I kept expecting Jess to say something stupid, but I couldn’t imagine what. I guess Bren’s presence kept him in line.”
“That’s why Bryan brought her over early. Yesterday was hell.”
“You mentioned that. I guess it’s a good idea to clear out and let him talk some sense into them then.”
“I thought so.”
“Now, tell me the truth, are you hungry?” Lindsay asked.
Dev wasn’t, but this was their time alone together. Given it was evening, that meant he fed her.
“No. It’s close to the dinner hour, so I’m resorting to pre-established patterns of behavior. I’m open to suggestions.”
“Good,” Lindsay said brightly. “Turn around then, head back toward the junior high.”
Dev didn’t question her, he turned around and headed back the way they’d come. Lindsay wouldn’t tell him their destination, she gave Dev occasional directions such as ‘turn left’ or ‘you should have turned right back there.’ Eventually, she led Dev to a small overgrown area where a house had been torn down long ago and the yard and foundation were left to be reclaimed by nature.
Lindsay didn’t wait for Dev to get her door, she hopped out of the car as soon as Dev parked. He hurried to join her behind the car, wondering what she was thinking.
Carefully placing her hands on the trunk, Lindsay pushed herself up and sat facing Dev. She
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