Tugging my backpack further onto my shoulders, I answered truthfully. “I can’t say for sure, Cash. His behavior tonight surprised me, to be honest. Most of the time, he treats me like a kid. It’s probably a case of he doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have me either. We have a history, you see.”
“A history? Like a romantic one?”
“No, not really. A friendship, I suppose,” I explained, pushing my hands into the pockets of my shorts.
Cash raked a hand through his blonde locks. “Well, do you like him now? You know, inthatway?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes? Most of the time, I want to punch him in the face.”
“So, you’re not closed off then,” Cash said, scratching his jaw.
“Maybe it’s best if we just leave it. I don’t want to cause any trouble between you two.”
He scowled. “I’m not scared of Phoenix, and so if you’re not closed off and open. I’d still like to take you out.”
Cash Ryan was a normal guy with no skeletons from what I could tell, unlike Phoenix and me. There was an entire graveyard in our closets. Why not give the guy a chance?
“Maybe?”
“That’s good enough for me.”
I exchanged numbers with him, but didn’t feel as excited as I should.
We all said our goodbyes and thanked Mayor Summers as we passed him in the driveway to his house. He asked if we all had rides home and told us to stay safe.
As Hudson helped an unsteady Molly towards his truck with Josh and Verity, I was watching Mrs. Dexter turn her car around as Cash appeared by my side.
He kissed me on the cheek before jogging off towards his ride. Had I done the right thing by giving him my number?
So, what? You only live once.
I almost died in a fire, and so I certainly wasn’t the type to burn my bridges.
*****
On the journey home, I received three messages from Cash. A barely conscious Molly saw his name as the screen on my cell lit up, and I was bombarded with questions. I attempted to mask my discomfort as Hudson’s eyes drilled into the top of my head through the rearview mirror.
Eventually, Molly fell asleep, and I was thankful for the silence. Once Hudson had dropped Josh and Verity off at the end of their street, we finally arrived home to the sound of Molly’s cute kitten-like sores. The girl still looked perfect even though she was unconscious. There was no drool at the side of her mouth or snot, just flushed cheeks and a sweet smile on her face.
Ma was in bed, and there was no sign of Reed or Phoenix. Not that I had expected them to beat us back, as I knew Courtney lived in the next neighborhood. Savage frustration ripped through my body. Fuck the Courtney Swans of this world.
Hudson had to carry Molly to his bedroom, quietly so Ma didn’t wake up. I helped them with their shit and then went to the bathroom.
I felt sticky and uncomfortable, and my skin still smelled of chlorine, so I had the fastest shower known to man before heading back to my room.
Whilst I was slipping on my shortie PJs, I heard the front door go and then whispers and shuffling on the stairs. That had to be Reed and Phoenix.
I was dying to peek outside, but then I heard the telltale sound of a female voice. Agigglingfemale voice, and I realized one of the boys had brought a girl back.
My stomach sank. I knew it wouldn’t be Reed as he’d already confessed to having put Storm to bed. And out of all my brothers, Reed was the choosiest when it came to girls. I knew he wouldn’t have sex with anyone else if he were sleeping with Storm. The girl would have his balls as earrings.
So, it had to be Phoenix and her… Courtney. So much for taking her home.
Ignoring the sound of them crashing around, I sat on my bed with my arms folded, glaring at my door.
Fuck them both. I should just leave them to it. Phoenix Carter was clearly a cake-and-eat-it type of man. He didn’t give a crap about me, not really. So, what the heck was that whole shit with Cash about? Again, that same thought kept circling my head; he doesn’t want you, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have you.
Dragging a hairbrush through my hair, I brushed my teeth. I was just about to climb into bed, but then something snapped inside of me.
