Page 62 of Sweet Hate
I search his eyes, but I can’t see any lies there. He genuinely means it. This entire time, all these years, he wasn’t harboring a secret crush on my girl.
Well hell, if that isn’t the second shocker of the night. Part ofme always believed he did. I might have even held a little guilt about moving in on someone he’d wanted too. Not enough to stop me once I knew what Haven felt like, but the sense of relief that washes over me right now makes me want to laugh my ass off.
Standing up, I pull Lucas in by the neck for a man hug, shocking us both as I slap his back a couple of times.
Pulling back to look him in the eyes, I’m taken aback at the genuine affection I see there. I’ve taken these guys for granted. Especially Lucas. Probably because our group is so entwined with memories of her that I found it hard to be around them all the time. I felt like I was drowning, and it was just easier to withdraw. Then my job became the perfect excuse.
But Lucas never gave up on me, that much became clear tonight.
Whatever happens with Haven now or after, I won’t forget it.
“Thank you, man. Fuck. I really thought?—”
“That I’d swoop in and steal the love of your life? If you thought that, you really don’t know me at all. But it’s OK, no offense taken.”
“She’s not the love of my?— “
“Bullshit, don’t lie to me because you’re lying to yourself.”
Fuck. Is that what this is? This soul-crushing need consuming me for her. But I know she’ll be leaving again, so I can’t be throwing the L word around with that deadline. It's a ticking time bomb.
But maybe, just maybe, I can convince her that being friends with benefits while she’s here would help scratch an itch for us both, and that’ll have to be enough.
It’s not. Forever wouldn’t be enough.
“I’m gonna head home, man. I need to figure my shit out.”
“Fuck yeah, go get our girl.” Lucas slaps me on the back before heading back to join the rest of the group.
Tossing a hand up in a brief goodbye, I retrace Haven'sfootsteps and walk out into the crisp night air, without even a single murderous thought at Lucassayingourgirl.
Progress.
Breathing in, a sense of calm washes over me.
I think I know what I need to do.
22
AXEL
Me
Truth or dare?
Stretching out on my bed in nothing but my boxers, I stare at my cell, wondering how long it’ll take her to reply. It’s only ten, so I can’t imagine she’s already asleep. My dick twitches at the thought of her in bed. Inmybed.
I just hope she doesn’t ignore me.
Hurricane
Truth.
That’s my girl.
Me
Why’d you run out of the bar like it was on fire tonight?
