Page 102 of Running Winter

Leigh got into the driver's door before sighing in our direction.

"Oh, and there's no way he did it because he found me attractive, Rafe?" Raven scoffed, shaking her head. "It's up to me what I do and who I do it with. You think you and Dad can dictate what I do? Watch me prove you wrong."

With that, she slumped back into her seat, a steely look in her eyes.

"I won't allow you to be anywhere near him again, Raven. Leigh, I'll be speaking to my Dad about this, but for now, would you just get her away from here?"

Leigh shrugged before dipping his head to look at me.

"Do you need a ride?"

"He is not getting in this car! If he does, I'm getting out," Raven exploded, causing me and Leigh to move back.

"I'm good. Thanks. Goodnight, Raven."

"Fuck you, Rafe."

Leigh shook his head as he pulled away, and I groaned when my phone beeped with a notification.

Someone had filmed the little fight between Jared and me and sent it to Heather. She had sent it to me with the caption—

Don't bother coming over.

Fuck!

YOU’LL RUIN MY LIFE

R A V E N

Leigh was silent the whole way home, allowing me to rant and complain about how much of a dick my brother was.

I wanted him to agree with me or even disagree; anything was better than radio silence. I turned to face him as he pulled into my driveway, watching as he gave me that irritated once over he seemed to reserve just for me.

"Are you going to say anything?" I demanded, folding my arms defiantly.

Leigh chewed on his bottom lip before shrugging. His forearms danced with color, and before I knew it, I had grabbed the one closest to me, turning it over to study the tattoos. They weren't perfect, but for some reason, they suited him.

"Have you finished?" Leigh drawled, raising his eyebrows at the dark nails that were digging into his skin. I looked up into his eyes then and saw nothing.

No desire.

No awkwardness.

"Can you at least give me your opinion on tonight?" I pressed, still holding onto his arm as I continued to examine his ink.

He had a mermaid on one side, which was incredibly detailed, but the tattoos surrounding it were shit in comparison.

"I'm working, Raven. My opinion doesn't matter.” Leigh pulled his arm out of my grasp, my nails leaving red marks down his arm.

This man was an enigma. He had seen me fucking myself in the shower, watched me make out with Jared for most of the evening, and still managed to convince me to leave the party tonight with his stupid calm voice.

"It does when I'm asking for it," I snapped, leaning closer to him.

Leigh hesitated, and his gaze flickered to my mouth before he turned away.

"Rafe is overprotective. He is your brother, and he hates that guy. What I don't get is why you would do that to him."

I blinked, surprised he had called me out.

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