She asked me a question and I haven’t answered it yet.
And with Snake now gone I can’t avoid her.
To be honest with myself I don’t know how much longer I could’ve.
“It has,” I eventually answer her.
She nods her head. Her hair covers her face so I can’t make out her facial expression.
I want to tell her that I wanted to see her. That every text she sent I wanted to reply. That the voicemails on my phone are the first thing I listen to when I wake up from a nightmare.
But I don’t.
If I told her then that would mean she would put up a fight to close the distance I created.
And I can’t allow that to happen.
“How are you, Oak?” Her eyes drown in concern.
“I’m good.” I keep the answer short. It’s easier to lie when you don’t have much to say. You can’t trip up on your own words. Even though those two words I just spoke felt like I was choking.
She snorts. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
She snorts again.
Fuck.
Why is that both amusing and annoying?
“You are a worse liar than my brother and that is saying something considering every time he lies he turns seven shades of red.” She turns around and gives me a perfect view of her ass. Those tiny shorts, if they are even considered shorts, leave nothing to the imagination. I swallow thickly and avert my gaze.
“How is he?” My voice comes out gruff. Jesus, fuck. It suddenly feels like it has become fifteen degrees hotter in here. Clearing my throat I then clarify, “Connor.”
She looks over her shoulder, an innocent act that has me thinking things far from innocent. But it’s her eyes that pin me with a harshness that has me not looking away. “You would know perfectly well if you weren’t avoiding us.”
Fuck.
“I’ve been busy.”Lie.
She rolls her eyes at me before giving her attention back to her task. When she’s done she comes back to me swaying those luscious hips. Placing a beer down in front of me she leans over the counter with both elbows.
Her face comes close to mine. I can smell the mint from her breath and the jasmine scent from her skin. An intoxicating combination. Far more intoxicating than this beer. One taste of her and I’ll be done for.
My eyes flick down to her lips painted in crimson. When I meet her eyes I notice that hers has done the same.
We’re like magnets. As much as I want to pull myself in the other direction I can’t. And the worst part about it is she knows it. Which will only make the fight to stay away from her harder.
But it’s a fight I have to win. She will not become a consequence.
So I pull back despite myself. I pull back and try to ignore the disappointment that shines in those eyes of hers. I pull back and try to ignore the hurt that twists her beautiful face.
Except I can’t.
That’smyconsequence.
That’smypain I must feel.
