Page 44 of Bleeding Hearts

Our friendship right now feels like there’s a thin band holding it together, just waiting to snap and plunge us into dangerous territory. Each moment we spend together, each stolen glance, or reckless touch, stretches the band further.

It’s probably not the smartest idea for us to go on a road trip and stay in a hotel together.

I know I should say no, tell him I appreciate the offer and that I can go to Portland by myself, but the truth is, I don’t want to say no. I want him there with me regardless of what it may lead to.

Maybe even because of what it may lead to.My mind butts in and I do my best to ignore the thought.

I scramble to think of all the reasons I should say no, but the only reasons that pop into my mind are why I should say yes.

It’s only a three-hour drive, and we can get separate hotel rooms. Plus, I’ll be so busy with the convention, chances are I’ll barely see him. Whether it’s true or not, it’s enough to ease the doubt that lingers in the back of my head.

“Okay.” I finally sigh. “You can come with me.”

“Fuck yeah.” He walks over to plop back down on the couch, grabbing his phone out of his pocket as he does. “I’ll tell King I need the days off now. Don’t worry. I’m the best road trip partner ever.” His signature smile spreads across his face, and I can’t help the way my chest warms.

“Can’t wait.” I smile, even though nerves eat away at my insides. I feel like I just made either the best or worst decision of my life.

Problem is, I can’t figure out which it is.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Demi

“It’s wedding day, bitches,” Theo yells as he enters my apartment, throwing his arms in the air for good measure.

Logan and Gabby follow closely behind him, their arms full of garment and duffel bags.

“Yeah, my wedding. Why am I carrying all of this while you’re carrying nothing?” Logan huffs at him. She drops all the bags to the floor in the entryway and Gabby follows her lead.

“Hey, be careful with those.” Theo scrambles for the bags as Gabby and Lo make their way toward where I am in the kitchen.

It’s only nine thirty in the morning, but I woke up at five to get a head start on cooking. With the number of dishes and the quantity of each of them I have to make, it takes four hours alone just to prep.

Luckily, once they’re cooked, I have fancy catering containers to keep them hot, so they’ll stay good for the wedding itself.

Logan decided that since I wouldn’t be able to really leave the apartment with all the cooking, all of us would get ready here. Asher is coming over around three thirty to help us load all of the food into the car and then we will head over.

The wedding itself is supposed to be at four thirty. Logan wanted to make sure it was early enough that Willow and Ellie, King’s kids, could stay for the whole thing.

“Lo, I’m setting us up in your old room because I can’t deal with Doomsday’s pigsty,” Theo calls out.

“It’s not even that messy right now,” I yell back, rolling my eyes.

“Oh my gosh, your hair.” Logan rushes toward me excitedly as she notices.

I reach behind me, pulling it out of the low ponytail I had it in while cooking and shake it around. I went to the hair salon around the block first thing the morning after my minor meltdown.

I loved my long hair, but I couldn’t leave it that way after a big piece was missing a chunk out of it.

I still think I could’ve just cut it myself and it would’ve been fine, but I also wanted it to look nice for the convention, so to the salon I went.

It now sits just above my shoulders in loose waves and I kind of love it. Turns out, short hair isn’t too bad either and it’s kind of fun to have the change.

“You like it?” I ask, doing a spin for good measure.

“I love it. You look phenomenal, Dem,” Lo says excitedly.

“She’s right. You look gorgeous,” Gabby adds.

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