Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“When I walked in tonight and saw your dad, I saw his face, and I knew you were there,” he said, his hand wrapping around mine at his waist. “And I got thrown right back to that hallway, the look on people’s faces as I pushed my way through ’em.”
“I’m okay,” I said, kissing his back.
“Think I’m in love with you,” he said after a moment. “Haven’t ever been in love with anyone before, but I’m pretty sure this is it.”
“Odd timing to tell me,” I replied hoarsely, my heart pounding. “But okay.”
“Didn’t fuck Lou,” he said, his words stark. “Haven’t ever fucked Lou. Didn’t ever want to.”
“We can talk about that later.”
“Felt drawn to her,” he continued, like I hadn’t spoken. “Felt protective. Liked her. Thought she was cute, thought she was funny, liked how she was always takin’ care of people.”
I tried to keep my body from stiffening as he listed her virtues.
“She kissed me once,” he said, tightening his hands on mine as I tried to pull away. “Felt like kissin’ my sister. Creeped me out, honestly.”
I stopped pulling.
“Realized then that’s why I was drawn to her. Why I couldn’t seem to stay away from her or why I was constantly worried for her whenever we were at a party or whatever—even though I knew she was safe.”
“Oh,” I breathed, leaning into him.
“She’s slept in the same bed as me plenty of times,” he said, his thumb running along my wrist. “Sleeps. It’s not like that for me, and she knows it. But when she was next to me, I knew she was okay. It was comforting or some shit. I was able to sleep after bein’ keyed up all night. I don’t know. Just know it didn’t have anythin’ to do with wanting to fuck her.”
“And everyone thought it was exactly that,” I replied softly.
“Barely anyone knows about my past,” he said, turning to face me. “Dragon, Grease, and Casper got me shit-housed drunk one night and got it out of me…and now you. That’s it.”
“Why didn’t you tell Cian and Titus?” I asked.
“Don’t know,” he replied. “Didn’t want to think of it. Didn’t want to talk about it. Didn’t want them to know how bad I fucked up.”
“They would’ve understood,” I chided, reaching up to run my fingers along his prickly jaw. “They’re your best friends.”
“Shit like that changes the way people see you.”
“It doesn’t change the way I see you,” I argued.
“That’s ’cause you’re too sweet for your own good.”
“I am not,” I scoffed.
“Why do you think I love you?” he said, smiling slightly. “Makes my teeth ache, you’re so sweet.”
“I wasn’t tonight,” I said with a sigh. “I didn’t let you explain before I bailed.”
Bas gave his head a small shake. “Wouldn’t have been able to explain it then, and I know how it sounded. I woulda done the same thing.”
“Insecurity, party of one,” I said dryly, lifting my hand a little.
“Baby, haven’t you figured it out yet? You could sing show tunes standin’ on your head, and I’d still only want you. Nothin’ to be insecure about.”
“Show tunes?” I asked, my lips twitching.
“Standin’ on your head,” he whispered in confirmation. He pressed his lips to mine and then pulled back a little, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Can you stand on your head? Because that might be fun.”
Impossibly, irrationally, I giggled.
Chapter 15
Sebastian
Harper fell back asleep sometime around dawn, but I couldn’t close my eyes. I’d never forget the look on Leo’s face when I’d walked into that kitchen.
It could’ve gone so differently. If Farrah hadn’t carried a pistol in her purse, if she hadn’t recognized the terror in Harper’s voice for what it was, if the motherfucker had just shot Harp the moment he saw her instead of forcing her back to the kitchen.
I’d been through some shit. I’d grieved for my siblings, my mother, and the life I thought I’d have.
None of it had prepared me for those few seconds between witnessing Leo’s expression and seeing Harper on that stool, unharmed.
I ran my hand through Harper’s hair while I listened to the club wake up.
“Bas?” Gray called, cracking the door open. He looked Harper over before meeting my eyes. “Got some news. Come out when you can.”
“Harp, too?”
He paused for a moment. “Yeah, bring her.”
Harper began to stir as he closed the door again.
“What time is it?” she asked groggily, stretching her legs.
“Almost nine.”
“Ugh.” Reaching for her glasses, she threw herself upward and then sat there, blinking. “I’m up.”
“You sure?”
“Funny.”
“How’re you feelin’?”
“Like I barely slept, and yesterday a man tried to shoot me,” she said dryly. “Was Gray just in here?”
“He said there’s news,” I confirmed.
“Oh goody,” she said, crawling to the foot of the bed. When she stepped down, she grimaced. “I’m going to go steal some socks from my mom.”