Page 49 of Hate Me

And, unlike Bastian, I didn’t have the luxury of time to process things like something this monumental really required. I had to fast-track everything. It was the busy, non-stop life I led. Unfortunately, this… him… it needed more than what I was currently allotting it.

“You flipped him off, didn’t you? Made him stay away?”

I ground my teeth. “Fine. Yes. That’s what happened.”

He laid his hand on my shoulder. “It’s not going to get better, nothing will be resolved, unless you have it out with him. You brought him into this by sending him to Sky, and he’s here. He didn’t leave right after either, according to your reports. I thought that meant he was here with you, but even so, he’s still here in the city. Here for us, Cas. It means something. It means a fuck of a lot. I’m still pissed at him too for leaving us, but even I can see it.”

“Bastian—”

He squeezed my shoulder. “Don’t let your pride and fear of the hurt keep him away now that he’s finally taken steps back toward us.”

I couldn’t help smiling.

“What?” he asked, amusement sparking at my odd reaction to the severity and heaviness of the situation.

“Just, there he is, the man wise beyond his years that I remember. Rein. It’s been a while since I’ve seen that from you.”

“Well, I’ve had a lot of help getting my shit together.” He winked. “Couldn’t disappoint after all of that now, could I?”

I chuckled. “Absolutely not.”

Unfortunately, that levity was cut into by the sound of my phone ringing.

I pulled it out and looked to see Luke calling.

“One moment,” I told Bastian with a raise of my finger.

He nodded and I took the call, “King.”

“Caleb has been spotted entering Haywire.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

I paused. For several moments, my brain tried to make sense of this fucked-up turn of events. This very unsavory turn of events.

“King? Are you still there?”

I cleared my throat. “I’m here.”

“How would you like me to proceed?”

“Leave it be, but notify me when Caleb leaves.”

“Consider it done.”

I hung up and pocketed my phone.

I looked to see Bastian eyeing me curiously. “What’s he done?”

“He’s at Haywire.”

He grinned.

Not what I’d expected.

“Why are you amused by that report?”

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