I heard a rustle behind me but didn’t turn around. I didn’t have to, though, because Tristan walked up to me and stood beside me. Peering out at the mountain, he said, “I’m sorry.”
I swallowed. “What for?”
“For not being what you need.”
“Tristan, what is this? Why are you here?”
“I had to see you, to apologize for not showing up the other night.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I wasn’t ready to have this conversation with you.”
“Obviously you’re still not ready because you’re not saying shit.” I walked away from him, then whirled around to face him again. “I don’t understand you,” I shouted. “Why did you call and tell me you wanted to see me if you were just going to stand me up again?” When he didn’t answer, I shook my head. “Never mind. You know what? I’ve decided that your excuses don’t matter to me.”
“There are some things you need to know.”
“What is it? Are you sick or something?”
He frowned. “No, but—”
“Okay, then. There is nothing you can tell me that will make this better for me. This isn’t the first time you’ve done it. And I won’t give you another chance to hurt me. As a matter of fact, I’m now convinced that you’re here because I didn’t call you, because I didn’t hunt you down to beg you to talk to me.”
“That’s not it.”
I held up a hand. “Stop! Stop playing me. I don’t deserve it. Especially when I’ve done nothing but support you.”
He dropped his head. “You’re right.”
“I know I’m right. Go home, Tristan.”
I started to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm. “I don’t want to lose you.” There was a desperation in his voice that I hadn’t heard before and my heart skipped a beat, right before my brain screamedfuck him.
“Why?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you want to lose me?”
His tongue darted out to moisten his lips. “Because… I need you.”
Tristan stepped closer, so close I could feel the heat of his body against mine, so close that I could smell the soap on his skin. He was so tall, so male, it was overwhelming. He brushed the back of his hand down the column of my neck, and damn-it, my eyes fluttered closed. It wasn’t the first time he’d touched me, but it was the first time he’d touched me likethis. The soft caress almost made me forget why I couldn’t stand him right now. Because I’d dreamed of similar moments with him. I wanted it for so long.But…
What I didn’t want was the roller coaster ride he would inevitably take me on. Steeling myself, I pulled away from his touch. “Back up,” I warned.
“Demi, I want you to know how much I…” He leaned forward, almost like he was going to kiss me. Yet, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t care.
I took a full step away from him. Wrapping my arms around myself, I said, “I’m not doing this with you. Not today. Not anymore. I’m done.”
Tristan’s shoulders fell. “You don’t mean that.”
Nodding, I said, “I do. I really do.” Turning my back on him, I waited until I heard him leave to slump into one of the chairs. I counted to ten and opened my eyes. Duke was standing there, arms folded over his chest.
He handed me a blanket, then took a seat next to me, but he didn’t say anything. He just pulled out a blunt from his pocket, lit it, and took a long pull. Then, he hit it again before holding it out for me. “You need this.”
I took a hit and leaned back against the chair, wrapping the thick fabric around me. “Thanks for this. It’s cold out here.”
“Hence the blanket.” He blew out the smoke. “You alright?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, because you just let that nigga run you out of the house andyou’rethe one that was invited. Not him.”
