Page 63 of Tainted Romance

“Can’t, got shit I need to do tonight. I will tomorrow.”

She arched her eyebrows, and her expression hardened. “So, who is more important than your best friend? Who has always been there for you when you needed him?”

“Don’t start.”

“Ok, let’s go then.” She jumped up off the bed.

“I didn’t mean that,” I groaned. “Why can’t I see him tomorrow? It’s late!”

“Exactly.” She gave me a pointed look. “So, what do you have on that is so important?”

“Allie is coming home.”

“Oh man up, Zane. I’m sure she will be around tomorrow.”

“So will Taylor.”

She turned sharply, a harshness in her eyes. “Fine. Don’t come, and I’ll tell Taylor how his best friend is more interested in getting laid then helping him.”

“If he really is depressed, he won’t care,” I fired back at her, but the look that covered her face had me adding, “Fine, let's go.”

Chapter Twenty-seven

Taylor hadn’t found his mate. He was depressed because his mother was threatening to send him to a military academy for the rest of the year. All because of his stunt with Allie.

I could’ve killed Ebony for dragging me out to see him, especially when I found out Taylor wasn’t even depressed.

Things had gone to hell with Allie. I had sent her a few messages and never got a response. Then she was trying to not be around when I was.

I had overheard Ryder telling dad that Allie was trying to find a rental property. Apparently, the girl had money because of her dad passing away.

Ryder’s party was in full swing now. Checking the time on my phone, it was after eleven and Allie had still to make an appearance.

Ryder’s party had taken over the outside area. People were swimming in the pool, the music was pounding, and people were still arriving.

Ebony was wearing a tiny orange bikini, and some might mistake her for a model that just stepped off the cover of a magazine. The girl knew how good she looked, and she was milking the attraction off the boys around her.

“Seem lonely, brother.” Ryder slapped my back, and his breath smelled of vodka. “Come on, where is the partier known as my brother? Thought you would have half the girls naked in the pool by now.”

I would have.

If shit had been different.

If Allie hadn’t come and twisted my mind to fucking obsess over her.

“Have you seen Allie?” I asked him before he wandered off. He shook his head, and his eyes were locked on Ebony.

“Got to go, brother. Talk to you later.” He waved me off and headed for her.

Two whole days I had forced myself to not reach into her mind to see what was going on, but right now I was losing that will.

Didn’t help that the run was meant to head out on Monday and the whole point of the fucking event was to help her, and right now I didn’t even think she was going.

Screw it, I’m going to face her. Striding through the crowd, pushing drunks out of my way, her rejection filtered through my body at a rapid rate.

***

ALLIE

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