He sniffs and downs the rest of his drink. “It was just a thought.” Wrinkling his nose, he turns for a refill, hooking his finger to get one of the twins’ attention. “He deserves the option, though. I’ll say something to him, and he can make up his mind. He’s his own man, whether you agree with it or not.”
I want to tell him that Warden is mine, but we both know that isn’t the truth.
“You think he’d be foolish enough to leave you?” He scoffs under his breath and even shakes his head. “Even if you string him along until he’s too old to ride, he’ll stick by your side.”
Ireallydon’t want to hear the same thoughts that have been plaguing me from this guy. Can’t he see I’m already fighting myself enough as it is?
“Love makes a fool out of us. We become reckless.”
Love?“He doesn’t love me. We’re just…”Complicated.
We both know I’m spewing lies here.
“You’re smarter than that, Leah.” Scolding me like I’m the same teenager he took in, he shakes his head. “Just don’t hold him back, alright? I don’t want either of you ending up hurt because of this.”
Knowing he’s right, I nod my head in agreement. Unable to voice it, I swallow hard as it feels like a lump forms in the back of my throat, the size of my fist.
“Okay, Dad. Got it.” Dragging the words out to sound less serious than I know this is, I rotate to face the bar. “Go say hello. He’s asked about you almost every day.”
Even if it means him leaving and asking Warden that dreaded question, right now, it feels like I need some alone time to simmer on all of this.
He nods and pats my shoulder. Another strange movement from him. Penelope must be softening him up.
“I know he’s not the first one of us you patched up, but you did great. Just so you know.”
Swatting him away, I’m relieved when my side remains empty.
This conversation has made me feel uncomfortable. Makes me wish I had just told him how I’m doing instead of him telling me what I already know.
Looking at my juice, the heavy lump in my gut tells me it won’t be enough. I need something more. Something to numb my head for a while, even if it’s reckless.
Signaling down Raven, who is already deep into a conversation with Jinx, she greets me with a half-smile, and once more, I’m feeling like I’m in another world.
Before I can overthink anything about what’s going down, I ask her for something strong. She cocks a brow, asking if I’m sure.
Right now, I think I need it. So, against my better judgment, I request a few of my favorite shots, throw the drinks back, and hope everything will settle down, returning to the way things used to be.
6
Warden
The welcome party is nice, if that’s what this is called. Everyone swarms me with questions, asking me how I’m doing. While they’ve all experienced their fair share of near-death experiences, this wound is my first. They’re curious how I’m holding up.
Before I can even talk about myself, I notice the change around me. Most of the prospects are no longer wearing bare cuts. They’ve been patched in by the looks of it. Explains why the mood is so light.
Everything must be going really well.
“Thanks to Leah, I don’t think I could’ve had a better time healing.” Lifting my shirt, I show off the stitches that are close to being removed. Still scabbed over, as long as I don’t pick at it, it shouldn’t scar terribly.
Kansas nudges my side, more cheeky than I am. “Must be nice to have all of her attention. Most she does is slap a band aid on us and calls it a day.”
He’s exaggerating, but he’s got a point. I can’t deny the special treatment I’ve received, nor do I mind it. If she got all flustered over all of these guys getting hurt, I’m not sure I’d be able to contain my jealousy.
Our relationship has worked as well as it has because, despite not settling down, neither of us has tried hooking up with anyone else since meeting each other.
All of these guys already acknowledge my feelings, knowing well enough that she’s not on the table. Despite not wearing my cut, or being tied down, they all keep their respectful distance.
Looking past the bodies surrounding me, I spot Leah sitting at the bar almost by herself. Raven’s pouring her shots, her mouth moving as they’re deep in conversation.
