“Lizzie,” Dillon said so softly I barely heard him above the hum of the tires. “I can turn around smoother than a race car driver, but for your sanity, you need to do this.”
“I know,” I replied as my pulse pushed against my wrists. I’d already called Kelton. He’d sounded excited. Part of me didn’t want to disappoint him. Besides, I was strong. At least, my mom had always told me that when I was crying over Gracie or Kelton. God, I missed my mom so much. Maybe that was one of the reasons I didn’t want to come. I’d always adored Mrs. Maxwell, and at times she would remind me of my mom when she’d told me how beautiful I was as a little girl.
“You think you’ll have nails left by the time we get there?” Dillon’s tone was playful.
“I’m not chewing. I’m nibbling.”
He flaunted a smile. “So, I have good news. Tommy called this morning. There’s a high-stakes poker game scheduled in mid-March. All the big players will be there.”
“And Terrance?” I abandoned my fingers to play with my jacket again.
“Tommy is trying to get his hands on the list of names. All players have to ante up in order to get a seat.”
Even though mid-March was three weeks away, I wanted to jump over and kiss him. Dillon was a super-nice guy. Any girl would be lucky to have him. Well, those girls who loved men who wore ponytails. Dillon had his hair tied back in one. “When will he know?”
“Not sure. Once I know, you’ll know. Right now, can I give you some advice about this dinner?”
“Sure.” He’d been giving me advice all day. I was grateful. Since I’d met him he’d been nothing but sweet, helpful, and protective. But I kept thinking about the poker game, not the dinner. If Terrance was on the list, then I had to be there, especially if Zach wasn’t any help before then.
“They invited you. Hear what they have to say. And don’t tear Kelton’s head off. I’m not a love guru, but the man clearly still has feelings for you, even though he’s in denial.”
His last statement erased any thoughts of the poker game. “Did you and Kelton talk about it?” I wasn’t sure I agreed, although he had put some emotion behind his kiss, and his voice had held an enormous amount of tenderness when he’d shouted out Lizard. Part of me thought Kelton was trying to confirm for himself if he still had feelings for me.
“Hell no. The way you two argue, it’s clear you both still have feelings for each other. Why don’t you just admit it?”
“With our pasts, we could never build a relationship.”
“Today’s your chance to clear the past so you can see the future. But something tells me you’re afraid of more than your past.”
I watched the homes zip by. “People I love die.” Saying it out loud sounded like a pity party.
He pried my hand from my jacket and squeezed. “That’s what you’re afraid of? Christ, Lizzie. You can’t live with that way of thinking. Do you think you can kill a tough dude like Kelton Maxwell? You even said yourself he’s a cockroach that can’t be killed.”
I snorted. Then he laughed as he wheeled into a long driveway. A two-story brick mansion sat on what had to be ten acres of land. Not that I’d lived in a dump in Florida. My parents had had a modest home in a gated community. But this place was serene, breathtaking, really, with the lake in the background and the sun setting slowly behind the treetops. Or maybe it was the snow covering the landscape that made the property look like it had jumped off the pages of Better Homes and Gardens, the Christmas Edition.
Just as Dillon braked, Kelton came out and jogged toward us. When he reached my door, he opened it. “You came,” he said. His voice was equal parts nerves and relief.
“Yeah.” I drew out the word, hoping I was doing the right thing.
Kelton squatted down, peering around me at Dillon. “Dude, do you want to stay for dinner?”
Dillon and I exchanged a questioning glance. Or at least he did. I made my eyes bug out, prodding him to say yes.
Dillon laughed. “Why not?”
A lightheaded feeling washed over me. I didn’t have to face the Maxwells alone.
“Park in the back,” Kelton said, taking my hand.
I guessed I was getting out of the car. When I had two feet planted on the driveway, Kelton and I trailed Dillon on foot.
“So, were you waiting like a puppy on the top of the couch with your tail wagging?” I asked.
“Dogs get rewards like petting and stroking when their masters come home,” he teased. “Do you want to pet me? I’ll roll over for you.”
Yes, please. I slapped him on the arm. “Put your tail between your legs.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” He draped an arm around my shoulder.