Page 62 of Damascus & The Wildfire
What the hell had I just done? The couch was still warm where we’d tangled together, and I sank onto it, tucking my legs under me. Brisket hopped beside me and rested his chin on my leg.
Guilt crept in. For the man I’d once promised forever, whose ring still sat in my jewelry box. For the friend who’d looked at me in confusion as I fled following our kiss, who had shown me nothing but friendship and respect for my boundaries. And for Merrick, knowing the fire burning between us could destroy something between him and his best friend.
But beneath the nerves, there was a fierce certainty that I hadn’t felt in a long, long time. I wasn’t numb. I wasn’t broken.
I was alive, and I wanted more.
A block of ice settled in my gut as I walked into the clubhouse a few hours later. I caught Hatchet’s eye and gestured with my head to follow. I hadn’t yet seen Merrick, but I couldn’t pretend to be interested in more than friendship with Hatchet for a second longer.
His hand brushed my arm as he gazed into my eyes, the corners crinkling with concern. “Hey, doll. You ran off this morning. I’m sorry if I freaked you out. You good?”
I bit my lip. “We need to talk.”
Hatchet raised his brows.
“Can we step outside?” I didn’t wait for his response, turning and hoping he followed.
The clubhouse door closed behind us, echoing through the empty parking lot. I turned to face Hatchet and hesitated. I’d never had to reject someone I cared about before.
“I like you as a friend. But when you kissed me today, I realized that I just don’t feel that way about you. I’m sorry.”
Hurt flashed across his face before his expression shifted to a stony mask. “If that’s how you feel.” He shrugged, as if he didn’t care.
“There’s more I need to tell you.”
His jaw worked silently, his lips thinning as he pressed his teeth together. He absently ran his fingers through his short beard.
“I think there’s something between me and Merrick. I don’t know what yet, but we didn’t want to pursue it without telling you.”
Hatchet scoffed. “So you’re with Merrick?”
“I mean, I want to see where things could go with him. Is that OK? We don’t want to hurt you.” I reached for his arm, but he stepped away as he let out a sharp laugh.
“Does it matter what I think?”
I clenched my fists and pressed down the emotion bubbling in my chest. “Yeah, Hatchet, it does. I still care for you. And he does, too. He’s your best friend, and I don’t want to come between you.”
“You know what? It’s fine, Kenna,” Hatchet said, letting out a clipped laugh with no real humor. “It really is. It just sucks that you led me on for so long.”
Anger flared through me. “I didn’t lead you on,” I insisted. “I genuinely like you. I like hanging out with you. You’re one of like, three friends I have here.”
Irritation crinkled his face as he started to turn away.
I grabbed his arm, turning him back to face me. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
“It’s fine. We both knew I wasn’t looking for anything serious, anyway.”
I pursed my lips and blinked back tears.
“I’m going to head out. I’m not really in the mood to partytonight.” Hatchet spun around, heading for his bike. He peeled out, gravel flying behind him, as Merrick pulled into the parking lot.
I wrapped my arms around my body, willing the tears to go away.
Merrick closed the distance between us, and I met his concerned gaze.
He wiped a tear away on my cheek with his thumb. “Breathe, Wildfire,” he commanded. “You should have let me tell him.”
I shook my head. “I needed to.”
