His smile widens, and he runs a hand through his hair. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“No, go ahead.”
Instead of sitting directly in front of me, he sits beside me.
“So, Evan…” he trails off. “The fresh air doing you any favours?”
“Yeah,” I exhale. “A lot better than being inside.”
“Why can’t you go home?”
I shrug. “Won’t look good. I need to stick it out.”
“That sucks.” He frowns.
“Yeah.”
“I like your suit,” he comments.
I look down at myself and laugh hesitantly. “Thanks, it kinda doesn’t fit me, but I had nothing else to wear.”
Charlie remains smiling as I find his gaze once more. He’s staring intently at my eyes, my lips, my nose.
“What?”
He grins. “I think you’re handsome.”
My cheeks heat. I don’t think anyone has called me handsome before, especially not a guy.
His gaze flicks to my warming face. “Yeah, definitely handsome.”
I’m drowning in embarrassment.
“Please stop,” I laugh awkwardly.
“Okay, I’ll stop.”
“Are you part of this district?” I ask to change the subject.
Charlie shakes his head. “No, but not too far over. I’m actually here for a favour.”
My brows raise. “A favour?”
“Yeah, I’d rather not go into it.” He waves a hand.
The first thought that pops into my head is Ryker. It seems lots of people owe him favours, but I don’t push. I don’t really want to know.
“Fair enough.”
Charlie continues to talk, but my eyes subconsciously start to wander to the side of the manor to the left of him. It’s then that I notice Caleb and his father standing behind the building. Ryker is looming over Caleb, and from the looks of things, they’re in a heated argument.
I watch as Caleb shakes his head at his father and starts yelling back. Attention is immediately drawn to them, but Charlie continues talking.
Ryker roars something at Caleb and shoves him backwards into a pillar with such force that if it were me, I’m sure my back would have broken.
The feeling of sadness floods through my body. Caleb’s chest heaves up and down as his father pins him to the pillar. My wolf whines at the sight, and I eventually tear my eyes away and look down at the bench.
“Hey, do you mind if we go somewhere a bit quieter?” I suggest.
