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“Why am I only now finding out about this?”

Roxxi lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I honestly haven’t thought about her much until now. Let’s go back a bit to what you said.Ashtontold you?”

All three of them stared at me.

What followed was an overdue conversation. One that started with a hesitant, “Okay, so…” and unraveled into me finally laying everything out. Ashton, Ryder, and the whole messy situation, including the Nest brawl, leaving out the more explicit details. Some things did not need to be repeated out loud. They didn’t need to hear about how badly I wanted Ryder inside me or that I remembered the night I kissed him in vivid, obsessive detail. I could see on their faces that they were connecting the dots anyway.

“Well,” Cloe mused thoughtfully, “It’s about damn time one of you were productive in getting this show on the road.”

“Are you forgetting we’ve been seeing other people?”

Roxxi let out a sigh like I’d exhausted her soul. “And didyoutake nothing from our last conversation? Ashton is not the one for you. He’s as interesting as wheat toast, and not at all built for you, babe. Emotionally. Mentally. Not sexually either, I bet. I’ve always seen him as… temporary.Not to mention,again, that Slim-Jim dick asshole raised his voice at you. He deserved everything Cade and Nick gave him.”

Ari nodded in agreement. “I knew something else was behind that brawl last night.”

“Hey, he may have thrown the first punch, but we all know there was a fair bit of goading behind it,” I stated, trying to keep things fair.

“So? He let himself be goaded,” Cloe laid out.

Roxxi stretched her legs and crossed them at the ankle. “You know, you should have gotten with Ryder ages ago. Your connection with him isn’t just history; it’s a pattern. Consistency. You two always orbit back to each other.”

“I never told him how I felt ages ago.”

She gave me a look. “He already knew.”

Ari leaned forward, elbows on her knees, voice soft. “I know making it real is a big step, but I am firmly team Voss on this one.”

They all looked at me again, a decision unanimously made. I had some of the most intelligent friends--unfortunately.

We talked for a bit longer before heading to our respective bedrooms for some much-needed sleep. Once my head hit the pillow, my mind had other plans.

It went into overdrive, the second the lights were off, replaying every damn thing Ryder had said to me—every word, every glance, everything he didn’t say but made sure Ifelt. My brain was a slideshow of Ryder. His hands that could easily pin me down and make me beg. His mouth with those perfect lips that always seemed to curl into a smirk because he knew exactly what he was doing to me. And his eyes—gorgeous, intense, too seeing.

He’d left me so turned on that even the sheets brushing against my skin pissed me off. Every graze of fabric against my thighs, my stomach, my tits was like Ryder’s fingers were everywhere at once, but not where I needed them most. I couldn’t take it. My hand slid down my body, my fingers trembling as they slipped under the waistband of my underwear. I was already soaked, my pussy desperate for attention.

I didn’t waste time.

My fingers found my clit, and I bit back a moan that was half frustration, half relief. I circled it slowly at first, teasing myself like I imagined Ryder would’ve done if he were here. I couldn’t keep it slow for long. My hips bucked against my hand as I worked myself faster, harder, imagining it was Ryder’s cock instead of my fingers. I could almost feel him—the weight of his solid body pressing me into the mattress, the heat, as he fucked me senseless. I came with my teeth sinking into my bottom lip, pleasure washing over me.

I still wasn’t satisfied.

No matter how many times I made myself come, it was like chasing a high I couldn’t quite reach. My chest heaved as I collapsed back onto the bed, still aching, needy, and dissatisfied in a way only one person could fix.

Ryder had left me wrecked with his words and the weight of his stare. My body was too wired, every nerve strung tight with phantom touches I hadn’t yet felt. Doing the wrong thing had never seemed like such a good idea. I tried to remind myself it couldn’t ever happen, but I wasn’t at my strongest.

As often as I fantasized about Ryder and me finally going there, butterflies wilted beneath a stampede inside my chest when I thought about actually doing the act itself. I was already semi-obsessed with him. It wouldn’t take much for that to become a full-blown addiction. And I was not starting some twisted, beautiful fuck-fest with my best friend until I ended things with Ashton. I was already operating at a betrayal level most people didn’t come back from; I didn’t need to add that to the list.

That brought me back to the present, with a partial headache, and of course, more Hunt bullshit waiting for me on this bright and cursed fall morning. I forced myself out of bed with a half-hearted pep talk and went through my morning routine, picking an outfit that felt like armor. A black knit dress, sheer tights, and tall boots that made my legs look longer. If I were going to drag myself through another day at Crowsfell surrounded by stalkers, secrets, and smiles hiding blades, I was going to make sure that I didn’t look on the verge of being committed.

I showered quickly and towel-dried my hair, leaving it down. I had cheer practice later, so there was no point in styling it into anything fancy. I was repacking my duffel bag when my phone buzzed again.

I almost didn’t check it, but then I saw his name and caved instantly.

Rye????

You’re coming home with me.

We’ll make our usual stop.

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