Page 48 of Dirty Little Mistake

His boots scuffed against the concrete as he followed me. "I deserve that."

I spun to face him, my balance wavering. "No." The patio chair caught me as I stumbled backward. "You deserve to be kicked in the nuts."

"I know I don't deserve it, but can you?—"

I lifted my head, the motion making the world tilt. The streetlight caught his face, highlighting the shadows under his eyes. "Why are you still here?"

He blew out an exasperated sigh. "I thought you were dating Owen." I tilted my head to the side, glaring at him. "That's why I didn't invite you. I was hurt… or angry." He shook his head. "I don't know." He shoved his hand through his hair, brushing it back off his face.

It took a full minute for his words to sink in, but as they did, anger slowly built up and boiled over. "What the fuck?"

"I know it's?—"

My palm slammed against the patio table, making the whiskey bottle rattle. "Shut up." The alcohol burned in my veins, fueling each word. "First, you didn't call and ask if it was true, and second, even if it was true, you have no right to be upset because you left and never looked back."

His shoulders curved inward, making him look smaller than I'd ever seen him. "Cam, I'm so sorry." His voice had that soft edge to it, the one that used to make my heart skip.

My arm felt heavy as I pointed toward the front of the house. "Just leave, Trystan." The words came out on an exhale, as empty as the bottle beside me.

He took a half-step forward, then caught himself. "You're right." His hand raked through his hair. "I fucked up, and I know it, and if you want me to leave, I'll leave, but please just give me five minutes."

I shook my head, but I also couldn't help my curiosity. He'd driven all the way here because I wouldn't answer my phone, and though I didn't think he deserved my time at this particular moment, my curiosity got the best of me. "I don't owe you anything."

"I know, but I owe you an explanation."

Sucking in a deep breath, I nodded for him to continue. I sank back in my chair and wrapped my hand around the long-neck bottle. "Drink?"

He shook his head. "I may be leaving soon." There was no maybe about it. He was leaving.

I shrugged and tipped the bottle back, taking a deep swig before dropping it back to the table. My gaze lifted, meeting his. "You got one chance. Say it quick, and then go."

His tongue swept out, wetting his lips and momentarily distracting me. "You were right. I was a coward. I was scared." He shoved his hand through his hair. "You honestly scare the shit out of me. I was afraid of how I felt about you. I was so scared that I wanted to throw away the only thing I've ever dreamed about to be with you. I was scared that if I talked to you, I would. I would leave the tour and rush back to you."

I raised my brows like I was calling him on his bullshit.

"I'm serious, Cam." He dropped to his knees in front of me. "

"I like you, and that scares the shit out of me." His voice cracked on the last word. My eyes rolled toward the star-filled sky, but the motion made my head spin. He edged closer, gravel crunching under his boots. "The truth is I was looking for an out. Jax told me what happened at the Cages, and I twisted something he said into something else because it gave me an easy out." His fingers flexed at his sides. "Except you were still all I could think about." The words tumbled out faster now, desperate. "I'm sorry, Cam. I'm sorry that I was looking for an out. I'm sorry I didn't invite you?—"

"Do you have any idea what you did?" He opened his mouth but snapped it shut when I cut him off. "You isolated me from the only family I know. I've always gone to Jax's games with Kaia and your concerts just like I was part of the family, but you made sure to remind me I don't have a family, and I don't have a place in yours either."

"Cam." My name left his lips wrapped in pity, his fingers reaching for my hand.

I yanked back, tucking my hands against my stomach. The moonlight caught the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. "You have no idea just how deep that cut."

His mouth opened, shadows pooling in the corners. "I really didn't?—"

The cold metal of the chair bit into my palms as I gripped the armrests. "Are you done?"

The metal chair creaked as I straightened, meeting his gaze with eyes that felt like ice. His throat worked as he swallowed, the silence stretching between us like a physical thing. I twisted in my chair, turning my shoulder to him like a wall. "You know the way out."

He pushed himself to his feet, his jacket creaking with the movement. "I'm going to go." The pool lights carved harsh lines across his face as he backed away. "But this isn't over. I'm going to make this up to you, I promise."

A single tear streamed down my cheek as I listened to the sound of his boots hitting the pavement fade away. I wouldn't be mad at him forever. I would eventually forgive him, but it wasn't going to be tonight, and I wasn't sure we'd ever get back what we had.

Chapter 24

Trystan

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