“Is that why you stayed in Florida?”
I let out an incredulous laugh. “Whatdidn’tyou hear?”
Tempest shrugs, unapologetic at having participated in Mayhem’s gossip mill. “Not much.”
“Yes, that’s why I stayed in Florida. First, though, I lived with my grandmother.”
“What happened, she die?”
I give her a droll stare. “No. I killed her son, so…”
Tempest cringes. “Oh yeah, I can see how that wouldn’t work out. But you’re back now, and that’s what matters.”
“Yes, I’m back now.” We stroll over to where Sadie and Ava are stacking packages of hamburger and hot dog rolls.
“But you’re staying, right? Discord said you might leave, but I can’t see you taking off now that you’re home.”
I catch the inside of my cheek and chew on it as I run through my limited options. And then I freeze when I realize the keywords in what I’m doing.I run.It’s all I’ve ever done. Wraith may have made it through my first line of defenses, but I’ve never trusted him with my heart. Not truly—and maybe it’s time I make that leap of faith.
“I believe I am, Tempest. Good or bad, I’ll stay.”
“Cool.” She gives me a playful jostle and nods toward Sanctum. “Good Lord, because you’d be a fool to walk away from that.”
I follow her gaze to where Wraith’s striding across the yard. He’s with Jester, and the pair are a sight to behold. They’re fresh off the track, dusty and sweaty and looking hot as hell. Wraith’s holding his helmet in one hand and his jersey in the other. With a wifebeater clinging to him, his neon-green-and-black riding pants are slung low. O’Neal boots hug his calves, and he’s all arrogant swagger and the personification of prime masculinity.
Pardon me while I take a moment to drool all over myself.
Wraith has no business being that gorgeous. Throws off my equilibrium.
I also notice I’m not the only woman appreciating the scenery.
A group of women more interested in entertaining the men than helping us also notice Wraith and Jester. Hang-arounds, Ava called them. One woman, in particular, is watching Wraith a bit too intently for my comfort. She’s tall, pretty, and wearing pigtails.Pigtails.But I’m not jealous, I remind myself, and even if I were, I have no right to be because Wraith isn’t mine. No officially.
Jester’s holding his own next to Wraith, with his tousled light brown hair and lazy strut. Electric-blue nylon pants are unzipped, exposing a decadent eyeful of black boxers. Shirtless, he’s an enticing display of male splendor. I lift a brow at the sadistic jester tattooed over his left rib cage. The design fits, obviously, on so many levels.
“There’s some big dick energy going on there.”
“Which one?” I need clarification because, honestly, Tempest could refer to either man.
“Both.”
“I wouldn’t know the dimensions of Wraith’s dick.” It’s a half-truth. We may not have had sex, but I’ve cupped it in my hand and certainly know how long and thick he is, but far be it from me to kiss and tell. “We’ve been friends since we were kids. Nothing more.”
“Oh bullshit.” Tempest’s booming laughter draws attention—including Wraith’s.
He walks by us, his hostile gaze skidding over me. Okay, seriously. Whatever happened on that mountain needs to get sorted out because we can’t afford to fight a side battle when there’s a war on the horizon.
“It’s true,” I insist, the lie burning a hole on my tongue.
Ava comes rushing over. “What’d I miss? What’s so funny?”
“J says Wraith and her are just friends.” Tempest makes a thrusting motion with her hips. “You know, friends.”
“Oh yeah, friends.” Ava throws Tempest an exaggerated wink. “I wish I had a friend like that.”
I fling my hands in the air, feigning exasperation, but if this is what having friends is all about, I’m all in. “I don’t have to take this abuse.”
Ava launches herself at me and engulfs me in a suffocating hug. She’s freakishly strong for such a tiny person. “You’ll take it, and you’ll like it because you don’t know it yet, but you love us.”
