I’m already shaking my head, but he holds up his hand to stop me from speaking. “You deserve to be happy. Stop punishing yourself because of the accident. It wasn’t your fault,” he says, solemnly. The rest of table still eerily quiet.
Is that what I’m trying to do? Am I punishing myself?The questions spin in my head so fast and so violently that I feel sick. I scoot the chair back, a loud scraping sound echoes across the diner.
I start to stand but Luka’s next words stop me in my tracks. “He’s right, Rowan but no matter how many times I’ve said it, you still don’t believe me.It wasn’t your fault.”
I swallow thickly as I dig into my pant pocket for cash. When I throw it down on the table to cover my part of the tab I manageto look up and face my best friend. “It doesn’t change the fact that I still feel guilty.”
“Then prove it,” Beau demands.
My eyes snap to his. “What the fuck does that mean? You want me to prove to you that I actually feel guilty?” I ask, astonished that he would even ask something like that.
Beau leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. “No, not that part. I mean bring her to the party tonight. Show us you’re fine and that she’s just a friend.”
I’m already shaking my head. “I don’t have to prove to you that she’s just a friend. That doesn’t even make sense, dude.”
Beau only smiles, “Doesn’t it though? You’re so damn hellbent on ignoring what’s right in front of you because of what? Somesavior complex? Survivor’s guilt?Fucking put your money where your mouth is.”
His challenge is meant to rile me up and it’s working. “Like I said, I don’t need to prove anything.” My jaw ticks with the anger I’m struggling to keep checked.
Since the accident I haven’t really gone out with the team, aside from our dinners and a party here or there. Nothing like I used to do. Because I just don’t want to anymore, not because of the bullshit he’s spewing.
“What’s the harm?” Luka asks.
My eyes narrow and my jaw ticks even harder. “It’s not happening.”
He shrugs his shoulders, “I mean, if she doesn’t mean anything to you— and you’re fine—" he trails off. Leaving the bait hanging like a slab of meat in front of a starving lion. And like the hungry ass animal that I am, I go after it.
“I didn’t say she doesn’t mean anything to me.” My body is practically vibrating at this point. I’m ready to punch every last fucker at this table, with the exception of Lily and Stella. The rest of them are just a bunch of asshole pricks.
Luka doesn’t say anything, he knows me well enough to know that I’m on the verge of losing my shit.
“What are you saying then?” Aiden asks, sounding genuinely curious.
My hands go into fists before I shove them in my pockets to keep me from doing something I know I would regret. “That you can be friends with a girl and not have romantic feelings but still care about her.”Is that so fucking hard to comprehend?
Stella smiles, her eyes alight with a knowing glint. The words she spoke to me not so long ago flood my memory.Mark my words, Rowan Pierce. You are going to fall the hardest out of all of us.
Suddenly I’m chomping at the bit to prove all of them wrong, to prove her wrong. “Fucking fine. I’ll bring her and show all of you exactly how easy it is to be just friends. And thatI’m fine.”
Beau laughs and claps his hands together in celebration. “I can’t wait. This is going to be epic.”
“There isn’t going to be anything epic. Nothing’s going to happen. Just two platonic friends hanging out.”
Luka smiles and it irritates the hell out of me. Like he’s taunting me.
“What are the stakes? I love a good bet.” Lily finally speaks up, sending a secret smile over to Luka. His smile turns all soft and mushy when he looks over to Lily. A far cry from the scheming one he just gave me.
“We aren’t betting.” I grind out between clenched teeth.
“Why not?” Beau asks, still smiling ear to fucking ear.
“Because it would be too easy to win. I like more of a challenge,” I answer.
Luka laughs, “That’s what you think.”
I shrug, an easy smirk overtaking my face as I look at Lily. “Fine, I’ll take your bet. I like easy money.”
Luka shakes his head, “No money this time, brother. Lily likes things a little more personal.”
