Page 48 of Liars

14

KREED

Ipushed harder, my feet pounding on the pavement as the air in my lungs burned with fast, short breaths, and still, it wasn’t enough. The miles hadn’t erased the feel of Kaylor’s tight ass pressed into me.

Cold wisps of air expelled from my lips, the icy temps cooling the inferno blazing inside me. It had been pitch-black out when I’d left the house. Now brushes of orange, pink, and purple painted the wintry sky.

The muscles in my calves and thighs burned, sweat glistening down my back, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Not until I rid myself of the phantom weight of her, the way she fit against me too damn perfectly.

Maybe I should’ve gone to the gym instead. A few rounds with the punching bag might’ve done the trick. Better yet, someone’s face. I needed to hit something, needed that release. I pitied anyone who fucked with me today. I was not in the mood.

Checking the time, I veered off toward the house, slipping in through the back door. The smell of coffee and last night’s bad decisions filled the kitchen. Maddox stood behind the counter,shaking a couple of aspirin into his palm. He grabbed the steaming mug in front of him, his bloodshot eyes taking me in. “Looks like I’m not the only one suffering. Did the run pay off?”

“You look like hell.” I yanked the fridge open and grabbed a bottle of water.

Maddox scoffed. “I feel worse.”

“Actions have consequences.” No one enjoyed their own misery more than Maddox. It was like he thrived on it. A true tortured soul.

A smirk tugged at his lips. “What bug crawled up your ass? Or maybe it isn’t a bug at all.”

I pinned him with a glower. “Leave the jokes to Mason.”

Right on cue, Mason strolled in, grinning. “Maddox making a joke… He could never. Everyone knows I’m the funny one. He’s the drunk one.”

Maddox swung his arm out, smacking Mason in the gut. “Nice.”

Mason let out an exaggerated oomph, then shoved Maddox’s shoulder in retaliation.

Here we go. God, I’m going to have to intervene.

It was always like this—one shove, one swing, and suddenly, they were rolling on the floor, fists flying. I could already see the busted lips, bruised ribs, and me, inevitably, in the middle of it.

I flexed my fingers, my fists itching for a fight. Maybe this was the universe throwing me a bone.

But no. This wasn’t the fight I was looking for.

“Save it for the field.” My voice cut through their bickering. “We’re leaving in twenty.”

Maddox grunted. Mason huffed. But neither argued.

Good.

Because if anyone was throwing punches today, it was gonna be me.

Taking my water bottle, I headed for the shower. Twenty-five minutes later, we were sitting in my SUV, waiting for the princess to grace us with her presence. Maddox had a pair of shades on, covering the bags under his eyes. He had his head pressed against the frosted glass, and although I couldn’t see his eyes behind the tinted lenses, I was pretty sure they were closed.

Mason sat in the back, staring out the window, at least trying to be helpful, but the touch of humor on his lips made me think he was up to something. Or knew more than he let on.

Maddox might have a reputation for being troublesome, but he was upfront about it and owned it. He wore his ill behavior like a badge. Mason’s approach, however, was much more subtle. He was the one you never saw coming and never saw leave. You were left wondering what the fuck happened. He was much quieter and sneakier with his mischief, which, in my mind, made him often more dangerous than Maddox. He covered his roguery with charm and humor.

What’s taking so long?

Kaylor was late.

It didn’t help that my morning started wrong. I knew it before I even got to the car. There was an itch between my shoulders, a sense of unease I couldn’t shake. By the time Maddox, Mason, and I were waiting in the driveway, my patience was razor-thin.

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, glancing at the time on the dash. “Where is she?”

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