Page 50 of The Fadeaway
So much more concise than the novel of questions I was about to shoot off to Blair. Everything is fine.
“You checked up on him?” I’m touched he thought to do it.
He shrugs it off. “I knew it was important that you know he’s okay.”
I let out a long breath and hopefully some of my anxiety. Christian is fine. I’m a mess, but that’s of my own doing.
“Want to tell me why you really ran out here?”
My eyes widen in surprise and he chuckles lightly.
“Come on, Kitty. I know you better than you think I do.”
Inhaling through my nose and letting out another deep, cleansing breath, I decide to go for honesty. “I think this was a mistake.”
His grip on my hip tightens possessively.
“I thought I could be okay with this and we could have fun and I could live in the moment and all that.” I sneak a glance up at him. “Yolo, like you said.” I chuckle softly. “But I can’t be one of those girls that you take out for dinner and drinks to make her feel special and wanted right before you move on to the next.”
“What girls?” His tone is hard.
I motion toward the restaurant behind us. “Like Maria.”
He steps closer until we’re chest to chest which is how I feel his shake before his laugh cuts through the silence.
I stiffen.
“Maria is my cousin Lucas’s wife. They own the restaurant and are very,veryhappily married.”
I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. Well, sh–crap.
His fingers lift my chin and I meet his eyes with a sheepish grin. “I like this jealous side of you, though.”
“I’m not jealous,” I say, realizing I am and knowing the tone in my voice is proof of that.
He laughs again. “You totally are. Don’t worry, though, I like it. It’s the first time I’ve gotten a glimpse at how you’re really feeling. You do a good job of keeping everything locked up in here.” His hand moves to my chest and he taps it lightly.
“I hadn’t realized,” I say honestly.
“Look, I know what kind of woman you are. I dig it. I respect it.”
I hear the conviction in his words, but I can’t help but be disappointed he doesn’t try and defend himself either. At least he’s honest.
“You want to go back in?”
One last deep breath before I chuck the calming exercises and probably my sanity. You only live once.
“Yes.”
19
Joel
I didn’t planthis very well. We left her car on campus so I don’t have any reason to drop her off at home so I can get inside and we can take this thing to the next level. The next level is sex in case that wasn’t crystal clear.
“Oh my God, that was amazing. No wonder you bring all your dates here,” Katrina says as we walk out of the restaurant. She no longer sounds put off by the idea I’ve brought other girls here and I’m hesitant to clarify.
“Never brought anyone else here, Kitty.”
