Her words sliced through before I could brace, sharp enough to scrape bone. A hundred images I didn’t want—Luke with her, Luke letting her close—flashed and burned before I shoved them down. My jaw ached from holding still. My face gave her nothing, even while my stomach twisted. I wouldn’t give her the win.
Of course she would use him. Drag him between us like a bomb ready to explode. That was her game—make me bleed.
The silence stretched. Then she stepped back, tone sweet again. “Just thought you deserved a heads-up. Would hate to see history repeat itself.”
Nina followed her down the hall. Tori stayed back a second longer—eyes flickering to me, almost uncertain—before falling in line.
I waited until their heels faded down the corridor before I breathed again. Their steps faded. So did my pulse. Elise wanted me rattled, but all she managed was to confirm one thing—she was digging. Hard.
I pushed the door open and headed back to the booth on autopilot.
Avery looked up the second I slid into my seat. “You okay?”
I offered a tight smile. “Yeah. Bathroom line was just long.” The lie slid out easily, but the press of her lips said she didn’t buy it.
She didn’t press, but her gaze tracked me as the door chimed behind us. I didn’t have to look—again. I swear I had a sixth sense for certain people. Then I felt it—Luke stepping into the restaurant. Jax. Chase. Theo. All of them moving as if they owned the place.
Part of me wanted to lean in, let him know Elise was chasing a new thread. But the memory of his words at the bonfire stopped me cold. He didn’t get to say those things and expect me to fold. Screw that. Elise? I would handle her on my own.
Avery and Jasmine glanced toward the door, but Margie stayed glued to her phone. I didn’t bother checking to confirm I was right.
I just picked up my cup and took a slow sip. Because whatever campaign Elise had started—it wasn’t over. And if she thought she could intimidate me? She was out of her damn mind.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LUKE
The second I stepped into the restaurant, I regretted coming. It was loud in a way that grated—too many people, too much forced laughter. It was the popular hangout, and we came because it had the best burgers around. I could do without some of the crowd.
Chase bumped my shoulder with his. “Don’t look now. Elise and her minions are here.”
Not what I need.I didn’t answer and instead made my way to the front. It didn’t take long to put our food order in and pick it up from the counter.
We found our usual table in the back—round, semi-private, but still obnoxiously on display. Theo sprawled into one of the corner seats, already halfway through a basket of fries. Jax slid in beside him, pushing at Chase until he moved. Chase flipped him off and dropped into the seat next to me.
Tori showed up a beat later, tossing her jacket on the back of Theo’s chair before climbing onto his lap, claiming it as if it was hers by birthright. He didn’t even blink, just wrapped an arm around her waist and kept chewing.
Nina was across the room, elbow propped against the bar, laughing at something some lacrosse bro was saying. The guy leaned in close. She didn't lean away.
I kept my head down until I caught the edge of a familiar intoxicating laugh. My eyes snapped up. And there she was—Mila.
Tucked into a booth across the room, back straight, hair loose around her shoulders and tumbling down her back. Her fingers danced around the edge of her pop, and she smiled at something the guy standing in front of her table said. I recognized him from the football team. Simon. He was a wide receiver. Decent guy. Didn’t mean he was good enough for Mila.
Jealousy cracked through me as merciless as a whip.
She looked up as Simon sat next to her, Avery and her friends chatting away like there wasn’t going to be an explosion of detrimental proportions in zero point two seconds. And for a moment—just one—our eyes locked. The world went quiet. Her smile faltered.
Then she blinked, looked away, and leaned slightly toward Simon. Her shoulder brushed his as she reached for her drink.
Jax snorted beside me. “Guess she’s not too broken up about you.”
I shoved past him and took the seat farthest from where she sat, my back angled just enough that I could still see her in the mirror behind the bar. I told myself it was coincidence. Even I didn’t believe that.
Elise slid into the chair beside me, her bracelet clinking against the table, a deliberate mark announcing her arrival. Always performing. Always demanding attention. She followed my line of sight, her body bracing momentarily when she realized who I was watching.
“Didn’t think we would seeherhere.” Her voice dripped honey-laced poison.
“What the fuck do you want Elise?” I glared before glancing at the menu board above the counter even though I wasn’t planning on ordering anything more.
