Page 61 of Running Winter

Leggy blondes were everywhere, and as I bit into my cake, I groaned with desire—both for the girls and the cake.

"A guy with a body like yours isn't usually seen eating cake," remarked a girl as she passed me, wearing a sports bra and tight leggings. I tried to respond, but my mouth was full. I watched with frustration as she walked past me, laughing at my apparent annoyance.

Maybe I would have to fucking move here. These girls were so eager—and I was a willing participant. I parked my ass down on a chair, polishing off the cake as I watched the world go by. A guy walked past covered in tattoos, carrying a large art folder with some insane sketches. Wait. They have art here? I jumped up, grabbing my coffee as I followed him to another building.

This building was alive with activity, and I was confused. Paintings and exhibitions were on display all over, and it looked like people were buying them. I mulled around, wiping my hands on my jeans before stopping in front of a self-portrait. It had to be. The eyes of the girl staring back at me conveyed a host of emotions.

The caption below it read;

Who I am, by Tamara Kiere.

I'm still learning. But I'm more convinced that I am not just what society wants me to be, a polished mold of every other woman. I'm proud of my crazy curls and my once annoying freckles. They make me who I am. I'm growing from that shy little girl who wished for straight blonde hair, so all the boys wanted me. Today, I'm me.

"Wow," I exhaled, gazing at the drawing.

The girl had drawn herself with insane curves, gazing at a rose in her hand. She had tattoos and a denim shirt tied beneath her breasts. She wore red panties, and she had thick, creamy thighs. Her face was the most captivating, though. Large brown eyes that gazed at the rose, both with curiosity and fear. Freckles sprinkled across her nose, and a mole sat beside her lips, which were large and pink.

I moved on eventually, but the drawing stayed with me. The artist was brave because she was obviously insecure about herself at one stage. I was interrupted by my phone beeping, and I glanced down to see an unknown contact had sent me an image.

Holy fuck balls.

It was the girl from the coffee shop, and it was a photo of her arm—the full tattoo on display was breathtaking. A skull sat proudly on her forearm, with a crown balanced on its head. Roses surrounded it, but the beauty of the tattoo was nothing compared to the swell of the breasts the arm rested on, hiding the nipples. Silky strands of blonde hair made the shot, and I whistled.

Party at this address tonight. I'll be there, so don't let me down. Sydney x

Bingo.

U.C.L.A

C H A S E

Aside from the fact it was miles away from Rayna, this place was ideal.

Rayna had blown my world apart last night.

We'd spent all night fucking, then talking, taking breaks to eat and fuck all else. I would only be gone for two nights, but it felt like it was two fucking years.

Rayna didn't express any insecurities about me being here—because she wouldn't. Instead, she supported me fully, which was one of the things I fucking loved about her.

Yeah.

Loved.

I hadn't said it yet, but I knew. I guess I'd always known, but Rayna had pushed me away so much that I took the position as her best friend willingly, not quite seeing the friendship the way she did. When we finally left my bedroom for air before my flight, Dad had given my Mom a look, and they'd both grinned at us knowingly.

Was it that obvious?

The plane ride gave me time to explain to Rafe what had gone down between Rayna and me, and he had sighed with relief. I wasn't convinced he didn't have a crush on her in some capacity, but he had a crush on everyone.

It was Rafe, after all.

I hadn't been lying when I said Rayna wasn't my girlfriend—because she wasn't.

Not yet.

I finally found my cousin chatting to some leggy blonde in a coffee shop, and it was clear they were exchanging more than pleasantries. The girl blatantly checked me out in front of Rafe, which bothered me more than him, and I suggested we head back.

"See you tonight," called the barista hopefully, and Rafe gave her a nod.

---