His eyes flick past me, and he laughs. I feel Jensen approach before I hear them.
“Apologize to her,” I demand through clenched teeth.
“Oh my God.” Rosie laughs. “He thinks?—”
“Get him out of here,” Zach barks to the bikers standing next to me, nodding toward the door. “What a fucking idiot.”
I glance at Indy and immediately wish I hadn’t. She looks horrified.
Rosie can’t stop laughing.
Thick hands wrap around my biceps—one on each side—as the two bikers roughly lead me out of the bar’s doors.
They speak over each other, and cold air assaults me as they shove me through the threshold. “Get the fuck out of here, lover boy. You’re lucky we’re not kicking your ass for this.”
“No one speaks to the prez like that. You should be getting your ass beat.”
The door shuts behind me.
Anger and humiliation seize my chest. I drag my hand down my face.
“FUCK,” I roar, the word tearing out of me.
I start walking quickly along the side of the building. I just ruined something, I just don’t know what yet.
The door to the bar slams shut again, but I don’t turn around. I don’t slow down.
“Gareth!” Indy yells, her signature combat boots pounding on the gravel after me. “What the hell was that?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Age Sixteen
Stars sparkle in the sky like glitter, bright against the dark sky from the contrast of having no moon. It offers the perfect backdrop for the Bridge Point County Fair, allowing every neon bulb on the rides and booths to shine.
I’mgiddy.
It’s unbecoming to admit, but it’s how I feel when I’m around Gareth. My heart beats faster. Every sense is heightened. Excitement’s at an ultimate peak, simply because I’m spending time with him.
The downside? My brother unknowingly third wheels all our dates.
Not that they’re actually dates, but I want them to be more than I want anything in the world.
But nothing can happen between us. My brother made that very clear.
So instead, Gareth and I have safely friend-zoned each other—mostly. Doesn’t mean we don’t sneak around a little when we are both having a moment of weakness.
Gareth stopped hiding his feelings for me more than a year ago and always lets me know how important I am to him whenever we have a second without listening ears.
It’s why tonight I am wearing a dress I knew would drive him crazy.
The skintight black mini-dress isn’t exactly the best choice of attire for the fairgrounds, but I knew I picked wisely when I came down the stairs and Gareth couldn’t look away. The dress leaves little to the imagination, and with my pink hair recently dyed and curled to perfection, I knew he’d never resist. I kept my makeup light, a stark difference from how I normally wear it, and only a bit of juicy gloss lines my lips.
I watched his pupils blow, eyes drifting up and down my body as he took me in, tongue darting out to lick his lips.
It sent a spike of heat through me, seeing the effect I have on him.
I feel like a different person around him. Maybe it’s because Gareth seesme. Not Indy with the punk vibe, or Indy Dylan’s little sister. To Gareth, I’m just Indy—the girl who strives to ensure the happiness of everyone around her. Who loves animals and wants to volunteer at the old folks home. The girl who has dreams of becoming a nurse someday.
