Page 50 of Hunted by the Fallen
My brain had momentarily shut down, unable to process the bold flirtation. When I finally snapped out of it, I mumbled some unintelligible response before frantically twisting the doorknob and running into the house. Adrian’s laugh had followed me inside, and I could still hear the teasingsound.
It’s only been one day, but I’ve kept true to my word. I haven’t gone to help heal any of Lukas’ allies. I, also, haven’t kissed any of the Fallen. Despite Adrian’s request. And despite the many instances I wanted to. My connection with the Fallen throbbed and grew with every interaction. It was impossible toignore.
“Would it kill you to smile?” Annie says under her breath, handing me a cup, pulling me from mythoughts.
I lift the cup and sniff the punch, noting the sharp burn of alcohol. “I’m fine.” In truth, I’m exhausted, and the constant chatter and loud music is grating. But I said I’d be here, so I’mhere.
Annie doesn’t buy it. “We’re here with two gorgeous guys, and you look like you just bit into alemon.”
I follow her gaze to where Adrian and Zeke stand on the other side of the living room. They are surrounded by four of the prettiest girls from my graduating class. One of them is Tina Peters, Preston’s ex-girlfriend. Seeing her bat her eyes at the Fallen is nauseating, and I watch her touch Adrian’s bicep. Her perfectly manicured fingers trail down his arm. Jealousy flares. To cover the emotion, I take a sip of the potentpunch.
I cough, not anticipating the unsavory flavor. “I’ve already told you,” I cough again. “We’re justfriends.”
“Uh huh,” Annie watches me with a knowing expression. “Sure. Keep telling yourselfthat.”
“I mean it.” I tear my gaze away from Tina and herflirting.
“Hm.” Annie purses her lips. “Well, that’s a good thing I guess. Because lover boy is on his way over here rightnow.”
I’m not sure who she is talking about until I hearhim.
“There you are,” Preston calls from halfway across the living room, closing the distance between us. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and takes me by surprise when he leans down and presses a kiss on the top of myhead.
Several of the partygoers hear Preston’s greeting, and their mouths practically fall open in shock when they see his affectionate gesture. Apparently, news of our date hasn’t reached everyone. The whispersbegin.
“Hey.” I step back, forcing him to drop hisarm.
“I’m glad you came,” he gazes down at me with nothing short of affection. Guilt assaultsme.
How did I think I could ever have a normal relationship with Preston? My life is a mess. Even if I didn’t feel pulled toward the Fallen, it’s wrong to drag him into my chaos. It’d been wishful thinking to believe I could maintain a normal relationship in the midst of my drama. This isn’t fair tohim.
“Me too,” I reply, taking another sip of the punch. I know I need to put a stop to whatever is developing between me and Preston. It sucks, but there is no way around it. If only he could have asked me out a month ago, things would bedifferent.
No, theywouldn’t.
I realize it doesn’t matter if Preston and I started dating one month ago, one year ago, or even back when we were thirteen. We would be doomed to end the moment the Fallen entered my life. Not only because my life has spun in so many complicated directions, but because I finally understand the connection I share with each of the Fallen is not something I can ignore. Lord knows I’ve tried, but I can’t deny how Ifeel.
I don’t know what this will mean for my future, or the Fallen for that matter, but I am certain I cannot lead Preston on while I figure out what to do. It wouldn’t be right. He deservesbetter.
Preston continues to gaze at me like I’m the only person in the room. Annie sees my face and, God bless her, she comes to myrescue.
“Hey, Ronnie, come with me to the bathroom?” She bats her eyes at Preston. “We’ll be rightback.”
Preston’s smile falters, but he is quick to fix it. “No worries. I’ll behere.”
Annie grabs my hand and pulls me away. Before we turn the corner, I glance over my shoulder. Adrian and Zeke are looking right at me. The Fallen dip their chin, acknowledging my departure. They must’ve beeneavesdropping.
Seeing she’s lost the Fallen’s attention, Tina turns to see what they are looking at. Her lips curl into a sneer when she sees me. She throws her hair over her shoulder and dons a breathtaking smile, turning its full force on myguys.
I stumble. Myguys?
Yuck. Get ahold of yourself, Veronica. You don’t ownthem.
I’m saved from witnessing any more of Tina’s flirting when Annie leads me into the hallway and up the stairs. We take several more steps before Annie stops. Hands on her hips, she spins around and raises an eyebrow. “What wasthat?”
I feign ignorance. “What waswhat?”
“Don’t test me, Ronnie. My patience is running thin. Why did you just give Preston the coldshoulder?”
