Page 71 of Clashing
“Not usually.”
“So . . .” she asked, fingers trailing up to my shoulder.
“So,” I removed her hand from my arm, “she’s different.”
“Oh, come on, Ryker. We’re good together. It’s only physical. Are you in a relationship?”
“No, but I might end up in one if I don’t fuck it up. Back off, Nat. I mean it.”
“I never thought I’d see the day,” she said, shaking her head as she stood. She leaned over my shoulder. I was going to push her away but then she whispered in my ear, “I’m having a shitty week. At least drive me to my hotel. I took a cab here.”
Her voice cracked, and I cursed because I couldn’t say no. Not with how fucked up her situation was.
“Fine.” I exhaled and stood. “What happened now?”
“Nothing new. Another case of I’m not doing enough for him. I need to get another surgery. I need this and that.”
She acted like it didn’t bother her, but it did. Asshole constantly put her down, told her she needed to change to be good enough for him. I felt bad and rested my hand on her back on our way out.
“I’m sorry, Nat. When are you going to divorce him?”
“I have a lawyer working on the papers.”
I focused on my motorcycle so I wouldn’t roll my eyes. “Right.” I’d heard that before.
“I’m really going to do it this time.”
“Good.” I passed her my helmet. “I hope you do.”
“I am. I mean it.”
“Good.” I mounted my bike. “Then do it.”
She pulled the helmet on and climbed on behind me. “You think I’m full of shit.”
“I hope you’re not this time.”
The plan was to take her to her usual hotel and rush back. But she cried and admitted he’d also slapped her this week. I couldn’t leave. She needed a reality check—a serious talk aboutactuallyleaving for real this time.
In her room, I made her call her mom to explain what’d happened. Knowing her mom, there was no way Nat would return to that house. I glanced at the clock and grimaced. I wouldn’t make it to Scarlett tonight until it was late. Probably too late.
Tomorrow, then. Tomorrow I’d talk to her no matter what.
Chapter twenty-two
Friends
Scarlett
Drawinganudemodelwas as embarrassing as I feared. For me. No one else wore a bright red face and hid behind their easel. Not even two weeks of drawing the naked man helped me stop fidgeting.
Over the course of multiple sessions, I’d managed to finish his lower and upper halves. The middle I hadn’t gotten to yet, mostly because I’d never drawn a penis, but also, the man was hot as hell. Not as hot as Ryker but unfortunately, no one would ever measure up. Regardless, he was attractive with his sculpted body, green-blue eyes, and dirty blond hair.And naked.
Hera’s loop to check on each student’s progress ended with me. She paused behind me. I tensed but forced my gaze to stay forward and my hand to keep moving.I don’t usually let people watch me work.
“You’re very good, Scarlett.” She leaned closer, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. “You’re missing a vital piece, though.”
“I’m getting there,” I said, blowing a piece of hair out of my face.
