Dumb-ster.
I bite back a grin. That’s a new one. So far I’ve beenasshat, creepster,andjerk-tard.
Unable to resist, I let a small, teasing smile peek through. “Aw… you don’t want me hurt, Charlotte Hayes?”
She sneers, rolling her eyes. Then she plops down next to me on the couch. “No…” she drawls, deadpan. “I don’t want to lose my bodyguard before the war even starts, Edward Scabhands.”
She glares at me the second a grin curves my lips. How do I tell her I couldn’t help it?
Edward Scabhands.
She’s so fucking adorably creative with these nicknames.
My heart sinks when I realize that this wouldn’t last. Knowing that she’s talking to me only because I’m on her duty today.
I swallow hard, when her scowl falters. And I know it’s because of how my face probably fell.
“How many more nicknames do you have in your back pocket?” I ask, trying desperately to keep the banter going.
She huffs through her nose, crossing her arms. “I have a whole list in my notes app.”
I snort, but my mood has already taken a dive. “Do you miss Isabelle?”
“Yeah,” she says, rubbing her palms over her jeans. “She… I think she left because of something I did.”
I jerk back, alarmed. “Charlotte, why… would you think that?”
She gives me a sheepish look. “I may have uh… shit. How do I tell you without…”
My frown falls away with the realization. “You think it’s because of your kiss with Ryder?”
Her eyes go comically wide, her mouth closing and opening. “You… you know about that?”
I chuckle, trying to keep the jealousy at bay. “Yeah.” I nod. “She told me. I was… uh… about to come see you. Ran into her instead.” I stare at her, urging my words to make the impact I intend. “Not your fault, Charlotte. At all. I think she left because of that moping fucker.”
I jerk my chin at Ryder who’s sitting beside Wolf. Lost in thought.
“…not you.”
“He does look… mopey.”
I curb the twinge of jealousy when she stares at him. A pensive look on her face.
“Maybe that can be his nickname,” I blurt without thinking.
“He doesn’t need one. Only you do,” she says quietly, looking at me now.
Her words send a shock through my system. Not because I feel privileged at her nicknames only being directed at me. But because of the way she says it.
Pain flickers in her eyes for half a second before it’s gone. And I feel helpless because I have no clue why she voiced her thoughts so… desolately.
I’m beginning to love these nicknames she bestows on me. But there’s a part of me that hopes she’d call me Ruin instead. Or Theo.
Yeah. Theo. Just once perhaps, in case our world implodes.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I immediately go alert at the buzzing pattern. That’s a discreet SOS from Wolf.
Shit.
