Page 31 of Shattered Hate

“Fancy,” he remarks, raising his eyebrows, then adds, “Well, message me when you leave, and I’ll come meet you. I won’t be out too late. I’ve got a big gym session tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I say, nodding, as a genuine smile tugs at my lips. In that moment, everything starts to align: the excitement of a date, doing my first tattoo inked onto skin, and the comforting feeling of a friend who genuinely cares. I inhale deeply, determined to enjoy this turning point rather than fall prey to the relentless echoes of doubt whispering in my mind.

Still, as this new joy unfolds, a nagging thought whispers in the back of my mind.

When will it all come crashing down? Because deep in my core, I know that eventually, everything always does.

Chapter sixteen

Trayton

“I’m not seeing it,” Bray repeats, squinting at the faint lines on my skin as I pull up my sleeve to reveal the tattoo. I explain to him and Kal where their numbers will eventually be etched. Kal tilts his head to the side, his eyes narrowing in concentration for a moment before he nods. I know that nod. It’s his way of getting me to shut up.

He acts like I can’t read him like a book.

“Bray, what are you not seeing?” I snap, my frustration bubbling over. The outline of his number is right there, but he just shakes his head, looking confused.

“I’m seeing a lot of lines at the moment,” he replies, his eyes darting over the tangled design on my arm.

With an exaggerated sigh, I yank the sleeve of my top back down, rolling my eyes at both of them. “I’m done showing you this tattoo until it’s finished,” I mutter under my breath.

“Don’t sulk,” Brayden teases, a smirk playing on his lips.

“I’m not.” I cross my arms defensively over my chest.

“You are,” Kal chimes in, chuckling into his beer as he drains the last mouthful and sets the empty bottle on the table.

“Whatever. I want another one.” I slide my empty beer bottle across the table in Kal’s direction as he stands up and heads to the bar. Just then, Cope strides through the door, his voice booming as he calls out to Kal to grab him a drink too. He saunters over to our table, plopping down in Kal’s empty chair.

“Yo.” I greet him, glancing behind him. “No shadow tonight?” I ask, unable to resist the dig. Cope gives me a deadpan look before breaking into laughter, shaking his head at my persistence. He then turns to Bray.

“No, Trayton. He’s not here, clearly.” Cope spreads his hands wide, emphasizing his point.

“Good,” I say, a hint of relief in my voice.

Cope and Bray both swivel their heads in my direction, eyebrows raised in unison.

“What?” I ask.

They burst into laughter again, shaking their heads as if it should be obvious why they’re amused, but I’m left in the dark.

“He’s actually on a date,” Cope finally reveals.

“Good for him,” I reply. “With who?”

“Why do you care?” Cope asks, peering over the rim of his frothy beer mug that Kal just delivered. I open my mouth to deny that I absolutely do not care—I just like to know things. But before the words can escape, Kal butts in.

“Oh, he doesn’t. Hehateshim.” I narrow my eyes at Kal, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

“Why did you just do the air quotes? I do fucking hate him, you know I do,” I snap, frustrated.

Kal leans back in his chair with a knowing smirk, and Cope chimes in, “I think there’s a fine line between hate and want.”

The unexpected twist of his words sends my mouthful of beer spraying across the table in a sputter. Cope, Bray, and Kal leap off their chairs, dodging the spray.

“Tray, for fuck’s sake.” Cope groans, wiping his arm with a napkin.

“Well, don’t say absurd shit.” I set my beer down with a thud. “Fucking hate and want? You lot have been watching too many movies. There’s more chance of me wanting a girl than wanting Daxton Rivers.”

---