Page 57 of Fueled Hate

“In case you need to go somewhere.”

“You’re leaving me with your precious STI? Really?” Why does that bother me? I’m not planning on going anywhere, but it is nice to not be stranded if I need to leave. “Shocking … since guys only care about their dick and their car.”

“That’s true. But you’re already leading me around by one, so you might as well be in control of the other too.” He doesn’t wait for me to respond (thankfully) before walking out the door, closing it behind him.

Yep. More than I bargained for.

Sitting on the sofa, I look around the quiet apartment. For the first time, I don’t appreciate the silence because my mind is screaming. Flipping on the TV, I prop a throw pillow under my head and curl into a ball on the couch. Rest. That’s all I need, but I don’t want to lie in my bed and admit that it’d felt more comfortable with Dylan beside me. Because even if he stayed for me, he’ll keep twisting me in knots until one of us breaks.

30

Dylan

Dropping into the passenger seat of the GT-R, I slam the door as I look ahead.

“I’m guessing she’s still pissed at you,” Bryce teases, only I can’t figure out what’s so damn funny about it.

“I should beat your ass.”

“Eh. She needed to know that you’re whipped.”

“Shut up.”

He snickers, slapping my shoulder as he keeps the other hand on the wheel. “Don’t worry man, it happens to everybody at some point. Not me, but you know, all of y’all. And you couldn’t have picked better if you ask me.”

Yeah. I know. “Can you just drive?”

“Yep. Where’re we headin’?”

“Staffordsville.”

“Ah, that explains why you’re so edgy. Does she know where we’re going?”

“No.”

“Okay.” He exaggerates the word as I see him look over to me out of the corner of my eye. “Did you tell her everything?”

“Just drive.” I stare straight ahead, avoiding my best friend’s judgy look. He has no room to talk. Laying out his full hand—exposing all his cards—wouldn’t be Bryce’s choice just yet, either, if I were to wager on it. I could argue I’m trying to soften the blow on her, but the reality is I don’t know how far she’ll retreat within herself when she finds out the complete truth about Kyle. Even if she doesn’t care about him, it’s going to crush her and turn her world upside down—once again. For now, I need to shore up what I can. “Just head to the Boone dealership.”

“Are you sure that’s the best decision?”

“Is there a better one?”

“Maybe. There has to be one that doesn’t lead to her wanting to throttle you. Although, this could prove to be the entertaining choice for me.”

“As long as you’re happy.” Because no one else will be.

“You should be too. Noah would want that much for you.”

“No he wouldn’t. It’s my fault. He was only here because of me.”

Bryce shakes his head. “What the hell are you talking about? This was just a pit stop on his way to school.”

“I’d heard about the races at the Dome from around school. I was told it was a bunch of amateurs, drag racing at an abandoned airport. I knew it’d be an easy payday for Noah, so I told him about it.”

“That doesn’t make it your fault.”

“He wouldn’t have been here if I hadn’t told him. He wouldn’t have gotten involved in any of this if I’d just kept my mouth shut or come here myself.”