Page 43 of Dirty Little Mistake

I followed him to the swing and sat next to him. "What's going on, Owen?"

He cleared his throat, staring into the darkness beyond the porch as he clasped his hands together in front of him. "When I decided to come here, I had no idea what I was going to say, but Jax told me I should deal with my shit."

"Okay," I said, drawing out the word. I had no idea where this conversation was going. I didn't know if this was about the Cages or something else. "I'm listening."

Sighing, he nodded as he twisted sideways to face me. "Okay. I don't know what's going on with you and Trystan, but I like you." All of my anxiety disappeared and was replaced with shock. That definitely wasn't what I was expecting. "I've always liked you, and I honestly think you deserve better than a man who doesn't make you a priority."

"I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know where I stood."

I felt like I owed him more than a 'I don't know what to say.' "The truth is, every time I think I know where I stand with Trystan, everything changes, and we are back to square one, and you're right. I do deserve better, but I don't think I'd make the best girlfriend right now. Not until I figure out what I want." And I wasn't sure I'd figure that out without talking to Trystan.

"So does that mean I stand a chance?" He winked.

I smiled, my cheeks heating. "Yeah." Guilt twisted in my gut. I was supposed to be Trystan's girlfriend, but honestly, if this was how he treated his girlfriends, then I didn't think I wanted to be one anymore. My gaze dropped to my hands in my lap. "So you're not mad at me?" My eyes lifted, meeting his.

His brows pulled together. "Why would I be mad?"

"The Cages."

"Ahh." His eyes widened. He shook his head. "No, I think it was stupid, and I think you put yourself and your best friend in danger, but I don't have any reason to be mad at you."

"Well, you're the only one."

"Jax will get over it," he said. "You know, Jax. He has a hard time processing emotions, and when Kaia texted him saying she was at the Cages and then she didn't pick up the phone, he was scared, which is an emotion I don't think he's very acquainted with."

I laughed. "Especially over a girl." He nodded. "One thing this has taught me is how important all of you are to me." I raised my shoulders. "You, Jax, Kaia, Harlow, Syn... Trystan. You guys are the only family I have, and I don't want to lose any of you."

His gaze met mine. "Regardless of what you decide between us. You've always got me. We are friends, and that will never change. You can call me any time, and I will be there." He paused, the corners of his lips curling into a grin. "If you want to go to the Cages again, I'll go with you."

"I think, for now, I've had my fill of the Cages."

The sky lit up, and a low rumble of thunder followed, drawing both of our attention.

"I should probably get home before it storms." He pushed to his feet. "I guess I'll see you later." He dropped to the first step.

"Yep."

He froze. "Fuck it," he muttered as he spun around. My heart began to race. He stepped into my personal space, grabbed my jaw, and kissed me. My body tensed, not because I didn't like it but because he caught me off guard. His hands curled around my hips, pulling me hard against him until I melted into him. Myhead spun, and my lips parted as he thrust his tongue in and out of my mouth, sucking the air from my lungs.

He tore his lips from mine, and I sucked in a deep breath. He pressed his forehead to mine, and his masculine scent surrounded me. "Sweet dreams," he whispered against my lips.

He dropped his hands, stepped back, and smirked before disappearing into his car.

My gaze followed his car until it was gone. "What the fuck just happened?"

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and clicked on Trystan's name.

Camryn: We need to talk.

I made the first step. Now the ball was in his court. If he chose not to respond, then I was moving on.

Chapter 21

Camryn

The neon beer signs cast pools of blue and red across the cracked asphalt as I pulled into Miller's Bar parking lot. Bass thrummed through my closed windows. A handful of motorcycles lined the front, chrome glinting under the flickering "OPEN" sign - the usual Friday night crew. Kaia's shift meant Jax would be perched at his usual corner of the bar, pretending not to watch her mix drinks, which meant Owen wouldn't be far behind. Miller's wasn't much - just a cinderblock box with more personality than polish - but it had become our hangout.

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