Page 19 of Make You Mine

I’ve had enough exhibitionism from him to memorize the tattoos on his chest that I was so curious about. Three. Constellations, a flaming heart, and a small bowtie.

Hannah pouts. “What a bummer. I bet he’s hiding a monstrous thing beneath those clothes.”

“Hannah.” I lean forward and take the glass from her hand. “I think you’ve had enough to drink.”

This must be a sign from the universe that I shouldn’t tell anyone about my missing journal.

Bringing Hannah here was a bad idea.

What if Kayden walks out of his room now and sees her in this state?

What if she throws herself at him and he takes the bait?

I bite my lip so hard I almost draw blood.

I don’t have any interest in who Kayden sleeps with. He doesn’t belong to me because of the mistakes we made in the past. But the thought of it…

“Oh, come on. I’m unwinding after a long day of work.” Hannah frowns, her pretty face creases with wrinkles. “Can’t help it if our P.E teacher is nice on the eyes.”

I sigh. This is so the last time we’re drinking together. “Remember the part where I said he’s my stepbrother?”

“Still, you can appreciate a handsome man when you see him. God, if I were you, I’d throw caution to the wind. You’re not really related, you know.”

“We kind of grew up together, though.”

And he bullied me, corrupted me, humiliated me. Stole my first kiss and then some.

“Entertain me. When did you first meet?”

“I was sixteen.”

“And he was…”

“Seventeen.”

“So, he’s twenty-six now? One year older than us.”

“Yeah.”

I’ve known him for almost ten years.

The thought sinks in that it’s been that long since Kayden walked into my life.

“And you said he’s estranged from you?” Hannah continues, taking another sip of her wine, finishing it. “But now he’s back, and you’re living together? Dayum, girl.” She pauses, biting her bottom lip. “It’s kinda hot if you ask me. In a forbidden romance kind of way.”

“I can’t believe you just said that.” I shake my head.

“Cut me some slack, will you?” Hannah nudges me. “Kayden is hot, and I’m on a dry spell. You get that, don’t you? How long has it been for you?”

“A while,” I lie, biting my lip again. I can’t tell her I haven’t actually…ever…And that’s mostly because every man I tried to date since Kayden ended up disappearing, or ghosting me, before we got to do the deed.

As if someone specifically hunted them down.

“So you get it. We’re single, and we’re readers. Usually, a smutty book and my wand will do, but sometimes we need a little more.”

“I have a great relationship with my vibrator.”

Generally, I do, though it’s been collecting dust in my drawer for a while now.