Page 22 of Our Deceptive Heat

Kelly frowns. “You’ve done that before. It’s never left you this stressed. What’s different?”

I stare at him wordlessly. “Have you ever met someone and everything just clicked, and you thought it was going to be happily ever after, only to realise that you are so firmly in the friend zone that they didn’t even notice you had feelings?”

Kelly stares at me. “No.”

“Ah,” I say with disappointment. “Just me, then.”

“Why not just tell them?”

My face burns, and I put it in my hands and moan. “I did. I mean, no, I didn’t. Well, I tried to kiss, and then he, and I, and we’re just friends. And I couldn’t, so I just kinda ran away, and they are furious and demanding an explanation.”

“Wait, wait, wait. You tried to kiss someone, and they rejected you?”

I nod my head and let out another pathetic moan. “We were drunk. I never, ever would have if I were sober.”

“And this guy said you’re just friends.”

I nod again miserably.

“So, you ghosted them?”

I inhale and jerk my head. “Yeah, I did that.”

“But they have you cornered and want to know why? They didn’t just walk away and let it all go? They are actually demanding your presence?”

I sniff. “Yes.”

“Well, the easiest thing would be to tell them the truth, and you know it. Tell them you have feelings and you left to get over them.” Kelly pauses. “You did get over them?”

I squint at the screen and wince. “Not entirely.”

Kelly shakes his head. “Cousin, I know you have more brains than that. It’s a long time to pine. Have you tried moving on?”

“So I should tell them I’m that pathetic?” I joke.

“No, you should tell them how you feel, though, so they know why you ghosted them. Ghosting is seriously not cool, Ryn.”

“I know! Jeez, Kelly!” I shout and then lower my voice. “Look, I know. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but I couldn’t just continue. I just panicked. That night and then the next morning, all I could think was they are going to ruin me.”

“Will this pack help-” He trails off as he sees me frantically shaking my head. Kelly rubs his forehead. “I can ask if anyone is looking for a beta to join their packs? Maybe we can find someone who can take you away from your dad’s clutches.”

“Someone bigger and stronger than Alpha Labels? What, has Silas Hastings suddenly become available?”

Kelly laughs. “No, I was thinking more like a combined force. Mirakill MC. My friends and I, Raider. Erin Bradley and those country brats.”

We both snicker. Brayson, Shane, and Finn are a force to be reckoned with, but they aren’t up to the task of saving me from my father.

“Raider won’t help me,” I mutter grumpily.

“You’re wrong. Raider would come in a heartbeat.”

I sniff and look down. “Not without losing his career, and he loves that team so much. I don’t want to get anyone else involved in this drama between my father and I. But I’m running out of time. So if I turn up on your doorstep, I hope you have an island you can hide me on.”

“Cuz, I have about three hundred. And you’re welcome anytime. Just get your butt down here, and I’ll teach you to surf.”

I shudder. “Ew, pass.”

He laughs, but it dies quickly. “Let me call Aunt Chile. Let her know your dad’s plans.”

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