Page 87 of Clashing
Chapter twenty-seven
My Kryptonite
Ryker
Daysblurredtogether,eachas inconsequential as the last. I crept out of the unfamiliar bed, careful not to wake the thin blonde who drank with me all night, but nothing else. Over the last week, I’d tried to get Scarlett out of my head to no avail. I couldn’t get it up for anyone. Tried girls who looked like her, girls who were her opposite. It didn’t matter.
Meanwhile, Scarlett spent more time with Collin. Danny informed me they were still dating though not officially together. Part of me wondered why. Part of me wondered if she held back because her feelings for me lingered.
Fuck.That line of thinking was too dangerous to explore. If she wanted me, she’d say it. She spoke her mind. I was holding onto something I’d already lost.
You’re going to feel like shit the day she walks into this bar with another guy when that guy could’ve been you.Francis’s words haunted me almost as often as memories of the girl who got away. One who wouldn’t have gotten away if I’d manned up. Instead, I slumped into this rut of trying to move on without really living. Life was dull without her spark in it.
As if I didn’t have enough to worry about, Fourth of July—aka, the worst holiday in the world—approached. New Year’s was the second worst. I hated resolutions. Mostly, I hated fireworks. My dogs hated fireworks. If it were up to me, the damn things would be outlawed.
Every year, Danny had a barbecue with strictly no pyrotechnics. Too many of his close friends couldn’t handle them. Instead, we drank, ate, and told war stories. We weren’t close to any fireworks, but they’d go off in the distance and put me on edge. I only went to the barbecue one year, and even though it wasn’t as hellish as I’d feared, I wouldn’t go this year. Not with Scarlett and Collin there together.
Fuck, I hope I don’t run into them.
Danny called and asked me to look at the grill in the bar. His father had given me a key years ago and Danny didn’t see any reason I shouldn’t keep it. This way, I could get in for repairs if no one was there.
I unlocked the door and headed to where the old-ass grill sat because Dan was too stubborn to replace it. After looking it over, I discovered a heating sensor problem. I could fix it, but I needed the right part. I was washing my hands when footsteps jerked my focus backwards.
Collin. Collin in boxers, no shirt, blinking sleepily.
Fuck.He spent the night with her.I didn’t want to see that.
“Oh, hey.” He ruffled his stupid hair. “I, uh . . . Scarlett said it was too early for anyone to be down here.”
I turned off the faucet and dried my hands. “Usually is.”
“Right.” He rocked back on his heels. “Anyway, Scarlett said to steal eggs from the fridge.”
“She does practically own half the place.”
Everything Danny had, he was leaving to that girl. He’d already added her to the business’s bank account. She refused at first but he told her it was so she could help with bookkeeping. That was bullshit. He wanted her name on it in case something happened to him.
Collin offered an awkward smile before digging into the fridge. I picked up my toolbox and got the fuck out of there. The situation couldn’t be more strained and if I didn’t escape, I’d be sorely tempted to punch him for no good reason except he had what I wanted.
The universe had it out for me, though. As I walked out, Scarlett ambled downstairs. Wearing nothing buthisshirt. She froze when she saw me, gaping.
“What are you doing here?” she squeaked, wrapping her arms around herself.
I raised my toolbox. “Fixing the grill.”
“Oh.” She averted her eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were here.”
“Clearly.”
She blushed and tugged on the end of the shirt, which barely covered her thighs. Collin’s entrance into the room amplified the tension.
“Got the eggs, babe,” he said, waving the carton.
“Thanks.” Scarlett’s blush darkened. “Uh . . . thanks for fixing the grill, Ryker.” She snagged Collin’s hand and pulled him upstairs.
I clenched my jaw and turned for the door but called over my shoulder, “I’ll be back in an hour. Be dressed if you’re down here.”
I intended to go get the part and fix it right away. Except seeing them together boiled my blood.Look at what you could’ve had, you dumb fuck.Knowing my mood was a recipe for disaster, I went home and beat the shit out of my punching bag.
