Page 77 of North

“No,” I exclaim, holding out a hand to him. “I mean… I’m going home to Calgary. It was a mistake coming here.”

Rafferty and North exchange an uneasy look. I cross my arms over my stomach, bracing for North to make a better argument that I’m being ridiculous. To force me to some sort of truth that makes sense.

Instead, he turns toward Rafferty and claps him lightly on the shoulder. “I assume you’ll get her back to your place safely.”

He doesn’t even look at me as he heads back inside Mario’s.

Rafferty calls out after him. “That’s it?” North doesn’t respond and my brother whirls on me, asking the same question. “That’s it?”

“I guess,” I say lamely, feeling empty inside. The hurt is gone and so is the anger, and I just feel flat.

“So you’re running again,” he says with a mirthless laugh. “What a disappointment.”

I suck in a breath. “That’s harsh.”

“That’s the truth. Someone needs to give it to you.”

“You’re taking his side?” I ask, hating how small myvoice feels.

How alone I feel.

Rafferty sighs. “I’m always on your side, but in this case it means me telling you you’re wrong.” He fishes in his pocket for his keys. “Come on… let’s go home.”

CHAPTER 26

Farren

I’m dead asleepwhen the blinds in Rafferty’s guest bedroom shoot up with a loud clatter, letting in a flood of blinding sunlight.

“Get up,” Rafferty orders, his voice cutting through the haze of my dreamless sleep like a chainsaw.

A groan escapes me as I bury my head under the pillow. “Go away, Raff,” I mutter, my words muffled by the fabric.

“Not happening,” he retorts with no trace of sympathy. My pillow is yanked away, leaving me exposed to the merciless brightness.

“Leave. Me. Alone,” I yell, swiping at the air where I think he is, but Rafferty’s already out of reach.

“God, you’re a pain in the ass,” he says, sounding suspiciously cheerful. I hear his footsteps recede and pull the covers up and over my head. I’m going to sleep the rest of my life away so I don’t have to deal with the horrible feelings I’ve got going on.

I start to doze off when the covers are yanked off mybody. I fling my arm out again, trying to hit my brother, and before I can open my eyes, I’m hit square in the face with a wave of ice-cold water.

“What the fuck?” I shriek, rolling out of the bed and sputtering. I’m soaked from head to toe.

I push my wet hair out of my eyes and see Rafferty standing there with a face full of smug satisfaction and an empty pitcher in his hand.

“I cannot believe you just threw water on me,” I snarl. “What the hell?”

“You’re up,” he says with a firm nod, holding the now-empty pitcher like a trophy. “Mission accomplished.”

“I’m going to kill you,” I threaten as I look around for something to throw at him.

“Yeah, yeah.” He’s unfazed, stepping back with a casual shrug. “But first, get your ass to the kitchen. We’re having a conversation whether you want to or not. Coffee’s ready.”

Going back to bed is out of the question, seeing as how it’s soaked. I quickly pull off all the bedding but the mattress is quite wet. Seething, I stomp into the bathroom, my icy, damp pajamas clinging to me uncomfortably. I strip out of them, dry off, and throw on a hoodie and leggings. My irritation builds with every movement, but I know Raff won’t let this go until I face him.

When I finally shuffle into the kitchen, my pain-in-the-ass brother is at the table, his expression grim. Two mugs of coffee await, steam curling from the rims.

“Sit,” he says, nodding to the chair across from him.

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