Page 41 of Running Winter

I stared at Rafe before shaking my head.

"It's Rayna," I said by way of explanation.

"Exactly," Rafe said slowly before shaking his head. "Fine. I'll go. Stubborn ass fucker."

“Rayna would prefer you anyway," I muttered.

I was fuming at myself for not going to get her, but I wasn't prepared to listen to their bullshit all the way there.

Let them get it on. The sooner, the better. Like ripping off a band-aid, why delay it?

The door opened, and Rayna’s perfume hit me, and I knew then I would struggle with tonight. I was going to have to get fucking wasted.

"Hey, why didn't you come to get me?" Rayna poked me in the arm as she slid in next to me.

I shrugged before turning to see her endless legs crossing beside me, the hem of her dress halfway up her thighs. My eyes trailed up to find the dress clung to her curves spectacularly, and most of all, she had her hair down.

"Because I just thought—" I stopped then when Rafe climbed in beside me.

"You look fucking beautiful," Rafe said, nudging me. "Doesn't she?"

"Yeah," I echoed. "Stunning."

Rayna laughed, and Rafe stared at me briefly before shaking his head. He didn't say anything, but I knew he thought I was just acting like a prick for no good reason.

Well, I'd be happy to fill him in when he told me he had fucked my best friend. Which would probably be in a matter of hours, judging by the way they were acting.

"Did you enter that competition I sent you?" Rayna asked, peering around me to look at Rafe.

Rafe drove in his usual style; one hand on the wheel, the other on the back of my chair. He was so arrogant sometimes, even in the way he drove.

I zoned out as they spoke, but it didn't take long to reach our destination.

It was already packed.

The street the club was on was already rammed with cars.

Rafe insisted on dropping Rayna and me off at the door and went to park his beloved car somewhere safe.

We walked into the club effortlessly, with the doorman reminding us alcohol was only served to those with ID. We had great fakes, so this wasn't a concern for me.

Rayna followed me, and once we were inside, she laced her fingers with mine, pressing herself close to me as we moved through the sea of bodies.

"Remind me again why we are here? We hate parties," I yelled over the music as Rayna leaned in towards me.

Her eyes, sweet fucking Jesus.

Everything about Rayna made me feel weak, and I hated that not only were we just friends but that she was more interested in Rafe than me.

"Because we’re young? Anyway, it’s not a party; it’s a club.” Rayna smiled, and our eyes connected for a brief second.

My chest ached when she broke eye contact, waving wildly at the door.

Rafe had arrived. He made his way over to us before making a face.

"The bar, bitches. Get to the bar!"

Rafe led the way, and I became aware that Rayna had dropped my hand but was still following me.

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