I shake it off. I shouldn’t even be thinking about her.
I adjust my jacket, force my expression into something neutral, and start down the stairs. My head’s still buzzing, my hands still smell like her shampoo.
Bella appears at the end of the hall, twirling a hair tie around her wrist, sunglasses perched on her head even though it’s dark out. “Miles?”
Shit.
She tilts her head, that practiced pout on her lips. “I thought you left.”
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “I, uh... dropped my keys.”
Her brow furrows. “Your keys?”
I nod. “Yeah, must’ve fallen when we were—uh—yeah.”
She smiles, slow and knowing. “You’re lucky no one else found them. Half the house is back already.”
“Guess I’m lucky,” I mutter.
She steps closer, pressing a hand to my chest. “Well, now that you’ve found them…” Her lips curve into that lazy grin that’s gotten me in trouble before. “You could stay a little longer.”
“Tempting,” I say. “But I really gotta run.”
“Always running,” she teases, but I can see the question forming behind her eyes. She’s not stupid. She knows something’s off.
So I kiss her because kissing Bella is easier than explaining why I’m standing here looking like I’ve just been hit by lightning. It’s a short kiss, shallow, mostly for show. She tastes like caramel lip gloss and regret.
“See you around,” I say, pulling back.
She hums. “Don’t make it too long this time.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I turn before she can ask where I’m going.
Outside, the air is colder than I expect, sharp enough to sting. The streetlamps throw pale rings on the pavement, and for the first time in a while, I feel almost sober.
Until I check my phone.
Five missed calls. Three from Rico. Two from an unlisted number I don’t recognize.
“Shit.”
I call him back, pacing toward the car. He answers on the first ring.
“Where the hell have you been?” Rico’s voice is low, sharp, all business.
“Had some things to handle,” I say.
“Well, handle them faster next time. Drop time got moved up two hours. You were supposed to be there twenty minutes ago.”
My stomach drops.
“Rico—”
“Don’t even start,” he snaps. “You think your uncle’s gonna care why you were late? You think he forgot what happened last time?”
I do. I remember it too clearly—the crack of a ringed hand across my face, the taste of blood, his voice calm and cold when he said,you make me look like a fool again, and you’ll wish I’d killed you instead.
