“We’re both adults, don’t you think he’d be happy for us?” I echo a paraphrased version of Jensen’s words.
Sadness passes through her features, and she drops her head, staring at the ground. The slight shake of her head has my heart catapulting to my stomach.
“No.” She lifts her head, pinning me with a stare. I swear I see a hint of mist in her eyes, but she hides it well, her tough exterior ever present. “I don’t.”
Our conversation comes to a halt when Andromeda’s door opens, music pouring out along with a stream of light. Silhouetted against it, a tall, burly guy stomps in our direction.
“Indy,” he barks, the sharp edge in his tone raising my hackles. I straighten to my full height, turning to face him with my hands balled into fists, ready for anything. He sizes me up without a second thought, and I do the same. Dark blond hair is tied back, keeping it out of his face, but his beard looks like he has no desire to tame it.
We’re around the same height, but he has at least fifty pounds on me hidden beneath a white T-shirt and leather vest. A patch is stitched over his chest—a skull surrounded by brass knuckles and roses—clues me into who this guy is.
Club insignia.
Wonderful.
His blue eyes burn with distrust, and I don’t blame him—I just kissed his girlfriend.
His girlfriend.
No. I won’t accept that.
“Everything good out here?” he calls, stopping about six feet away from us. Crossing his arms over his chest, he never takes his eyes off me.
“Yeah.” Indy’s voice is strong, like she’s built up walls around herself. I glance back at her, and our eyes lock, her message unmistakable. “He was just leaving.”
“Great,” he mutters, repositioning himself so he leans against the building, still watching.
My fingers twitch, begging to reach for her, but I keep my arms flanked by my sides. My gaze drops to her mouth, her lips still swollen from my kiss, and I shift my eyes back to hers, letting a silent goodbye pass through us.
I spare her boyfriend one final look, unsettled by his behavior and the distance he’s kept. He makes no move to get closer to her, but he isn’t going back inside either. Instead, he’s just guarding. Watching. Waiting for me to leave.
That’s my cue.
So I turn back to the parking lot, tail tucked firmly between my legs, and head for my truck with her eyes on my back, searing into me like the kiss still burning against my lips.
CHAPTER FOUR
Age Thirteen
“Hi, I’m Gareth.” A chestnut-haired boy suddenly appears in our kitchen, my brother trailing close behind. Gareth comes over to me, hand extended.
It catches me off guard. Dylan and I don’t shake hands unless we are meeting an adult and our parents want us to show our manners.
Hesitantly, I take his hand. The only thing I can think about is whether my palm feels sweaty or clammy.
My cheeks heat as I think about whathemust be thinking, and suddenly I’m all out of sorts.
“Hi, I’m Indy.” The words tumble from me awkwardly, and I look over his shoulder to Dylan, who’s watching us like he’s watching a car crash. It’s not unusual for my brother to bring home friends, and holy crap is this one cute.
“So where do you want to work on the project?” Dylan butts in, dropping a binder on the kitchen table with a sharpthwack. “My room, the table, or we could go outside?”
“Wherever.” Gareth slides his backpack from his shoulders, letting it land on the linoleum next to his feet. “Here is good.”
“What are you guys working on?” I ask innocently, walking over to the fridge. I came downstairs to get something, but now I can’t remember what.
Opening the fridge, I settle for a soda. Dylan eyes me skeptically when our eyes meet. Ignoring him, I swing the door shut, and the condiments rattle from the force.
“Bio. Life cycle project.”
