Page 75 of Wild Blades

I sidestep away because his pantie-soaking voice is doing shameful things between my thighs.

This back-and-forth game of teasing and flirting ping-pong is tiresome. “Fuck off, Wade.” Other than Michael, I’ve never told anyone to fuck off.

We’ve agreed to stop whatever is going on between us, and I can’t handle him playing with my emotions. My self-esteem is also feeling a smidge fragile. He was more than happy to let me suck his cock, but anything more and it’s off the table.

How humiliating. I feel used and cheap.They’re not feelings I’m familiar with.

“You should ask Gemma to the gala on Friday night.” I sound catty. Bitterness fills my mouth.

“Why?”

I pretend to look at myself in the mirror-shine reflection of the elevator doors, but I’m checking him out. “Your invite includes a plus one.”

“I’m going with you.”

“I have a date.”Lies, lies, lies. Me and my stupid mouth. I’ve just made extra work for myself because now need a date.

I feel him tensing up beside me and the mood around us turns icy.

In the reflection of the door, I see him staring at the side of my face. “Fine, what-the-fuck-ever.”

Pulling my phone from my purse, I locate my therapist’s number and hit call.

“Who are you calling, Mrs. I Have a Date?” he asks, deadpan.

“My therapist. You drive me crazy.” I wish the elevator would hurry up. I need fresh air.

“Same.”

“Well, I’m so happy we’re on the same page.” With my phone to my ear, I feign happiness through a forced smile and finally have the courage to look at him.

Body locked with apparent rage, neck flushed red, he looks like he’s one spark short of an explosion. I feel his rage. It’s coursing through him.

“Fuck this.” He storms off, leaving a trail of his musky cologne in his wake. “I’ll view the house myself. Call yourself a cab.”

Shoving the door open on the stairwell, he slams it behind him with an almightybang, making me jump.

Shaking, because I’m upset and angry and struggling with a million other feelings that are thundering through my body that I’m unable to make sense of, I cut the call when it goes to voicemail.

Being around him is giving me whiplash.

It’s not a therapist I need, it’s a chiropractor.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Wade

Are Wade Collins and Kali Roth house-hunting together?

I’m in the locker room, suiting up before the game against the Bears tonight.

A lot has happened since Monday. And if I thought my head was a mess before I met Kali, it’s worse now. My brain feels as if it’s been put in a blender on the highest setting.

“So, you finally bought a house?” Jordy asks while lacing up his skates.

“Yeah, you’ll have to come visit. It’s pretty sweet.”

While my mind is in a spin, my life is no longer on hold. I’ve slowly hit unpause and am finally moving forward, setting foundations. Something I should have done even before Gretchen died.

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