“I know.”
“It would’ve taken a quick text.”
“I know.”
“But instead,” I said as I hovered over her, “you just ignored my fucking phone calls until I stopped calling. Why, Rose? Why not just tell me that your boyfriend didn’t like the fact that your best friend has a dick?”
Something shifted out of the corner of my eye and my gut practically leapt into my throat. I stepped in front of Rose, backing her up against my bike as I withdrew my weapon.
“Oh, my God. Caleb,” she said breathlessly.
And as I aimed it into the undulating darkness, I hardened my voice.
“Walk into the light slowly,” I commanded, “or I’ll pop you right where you stand.”
6
ROSE
Everything felt as if it were moving in slow motion. I watched him step in front of me before his hand moved to his hip. I saw the glint of the metal of his gun as he slid it out of a holster I hadn’t even seen. His body moved toward mine, and the second his ass fell against my pelvis, electricity shot its way through my body.
I braced myself against his bike as his arm wrapped behind him.
And as I watched his hand wrap around my wrist, the warmth of his touch robbed me of my voice.
“Walk into the light slowly,” Caleb demanded, “or I’ll pop you right where you stand.”
It felt like my skin was on fire as his touch rooted me to my spot. He held onto me tightly, his shoulders rolled back, and his muscles pulled taut. As if he were ready to leap into whatever action was about to come our way. Gone was the timid, geeky, lanky little boy I had trusted with all of my deepest, darkest secrets.
Caleb was a man now.
And I didn’t know that man well enough to call him anything, much less a best friend.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Blake asked.
The second he stepped out of the shadows and into the fluorescent light of the parking garage, my jaw hit the floor.
“What in the world?” I asked breathlessly.
Caleb cocked his gun. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Blake peered around his body, catching my eyes as I peeked out from behind. “You going to answer me? Or do I not have a right to know anything about my wife’s life now?”
His voice was filled with venom, and I decided to spit it right back. “I’m sure you remember Caleb, don’t you, Blake? The friend you forced me to not to speak to because you were scared I’d cheat on you with him?”
“Funny how that works,” Caleb said flatly.
Blake didn’t tear his stare away from mine for a second. “I wouldn’t have to lurk like this if you’d just talk to me.”
“Leave,” Caleb said.
Blake laughed as his attention finally pulled toward him. “And what are you doing to do about it if I don’t? You’re just another piece of shit that I put in jail for business.”
Caleb released my wrist, but kept his gun steadily aimed at the man. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I’m giving you one last chance to get the hell out of here.”
Blake slid his hands into his pockets. “I could say the same to you, actually.”
I stepped out from around Caleb and stood at his side. “Get out of here, Blake. You don’t have a place in my life anymore.”
