Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“Callan, please. You know that’s not what I want.”
“But?”
“But I’m worried about you.”
“Why?” I demand. “Is my life in danger?”
We’re dancing on a brittle path that’s crumbling beneath our feet. He knows it, too. I can’t live my life in fear. But I also refuse to be sheltered and coddled. Yes, he’s come to my rescue and saved me, but he can’t follow me around twenty-four seven. I refuse to live that sort of life. In fact, I left home because of my brother doing the exact same damn thing.
“That’s what I thought,” I say in a cool tone. “Now, let me get ready. I’ll text you when I get to Blur. And if it’ll make you happy, I’ll stop by the station on my way home.”
I can tell he wants to argue, but he presses his lips together. We stare at each other for a long time, neither of us saying a word. This tension between us doesn’t feel right. It makes my stomach tighten and roil.
Just kiss me, dummy, and everything will be fine.
His eyes dart to my lips for a second, and I’m positive he’s about to, but then he turns on his heel. “Be careful,” he utters over his shoulder. “I’m leaving.”
No kiss goodbye.
Hot tears pool in my eyes, and my stupid bottom lip trembles. That’s what I wanted, right? To be left alone and treated like a damn adult?
So why does it ache and feel so lonely?
“You okay?” Cameron asks, passing me a Sprite as he sits beside me. “You look like you might cry.”
“I’m fine,” I grumble. “Thanks for the drink.”
Cameron’s attention lands on a girl dancing alone. “That’s my cue to leave. If I’m gone too long, don’t wait up for Daddy.” He waggles his brows at me.
“You’re an idiot. You’ll be back in three seconds when she shoots you down.”
Cameron cackles but saunters his confident ass over to the girl. Magically, she falls for his charms, and they start dirty dancing. It annoys me. Not that Cameron doesn’t deserve to find someone. It’s just, anyone who looks happy right now is annoying me.
I glance down at my phone. When I got here, I texted Atlas to let him know I’d arrived safely. I even sent him a selfie. It was supposed to diffuse our fight. But he just responded with a stupid thumbs up emoji.
I’m trying not to read into it.
He is old after all. Old people still think the thumbs up is like something positive or agreeable, not the condescending conversation ender that it really is.
With a sigh, I lift my gaze, searching for Zak and Cormac. They’re out on the dance floor where Zak grinds into Cormac. Cormac is smiling at a guy in front of him, which is a rarity. I’d say Zak was replacing me with Cormac, but when another guy starts rubbing his dick against Zak from behind, he’s all too happy to play with him too.
They’re just having fun.
A lot more than I can say for myself.
I’m just pissy.
For the next half hour, I glare at my phone and suck down my Sprite. Cameron comes back a couple times with the woman named Misty—a horse breeder vacationing here from Reno—to check on me. Zak waves at me any time our eyes meet while he dances. Eventually, I decide I need a break and to take a piss. Luckily, Cormac shows up, happy to come along with me.
I loop my arm with his, and we make our way to the bathrooms. Along the way, several guys eye us up like we’re candy they’ve been craving their entire life. I’m sure Cormac might like to have a go with one of them, but I need my friend right now.
After we take care of business in the bathroom and wash our hands, I linger in front of the mirror, noting how depressed I look. I miss Atlas. Our fight was stupid. I just want to see him and kiss him. For us to get over this.
Cormac stands close to me, leaning his head against my shoulder. “You’re sad.”
“A little,” I admit.
“Because of Atlas?”
I pull my phone out and show him our last couple of texts. “He’s mad because I walked. You walk everywhere, and no one gives you shit.”
Cormac pulls away. “Don’t bring me into this.”
“Fuck,” I hiss. “I’m sorry. I’m a dick.”
“Yeah, you are.” He purses his lips. “It’s okay for people to care, I think. I wish I had people to care about me.”
I gape at him like he’s lost his mind. He has us. Me and Zak and Cameron. Even my siblings adore him. And his boss, Hans. I’m about to remind him of that when someone enters the bathroom.
“There he is.”
My blood runs cold. I recognize the voice. Turning, I face off with Jeremy Powers and two of his followers.