Page 100 of Succumbed

My feet are still on the pedals, and our bike slows. I steer us over to the side of the path, planting my feet as Dec does the same. Shane glances back and Declan waves them ahead, letting the distance between us widen. Shane jerks his chin in acknowledgement, saying something to Linc as they continue around a corner. I turn back to Declan, my breath strangely loud in my ears.

“Thank you, Lex.”

My heart stutters. It’s not the first time I’ve heard the words, but it’s the first time Declan has looked at me with such…longing as he says them. “Wha…what?”

“For being there for Linc and Shane when I was too much of an ass to realize what they needed.” His gaze holds mine, heavy and earnest. “Thank you.”

Swallowing, I stare at him. Is he the same guy who fought me at every turn for three months? He looks the same, but the words coming from his mouth sound foreign.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I finally manage. “As much as I appreciate you acknowledging all that, I didn’t do it for you.”

A small smile crosses his lips before he ducks his head. “I know. I’m grateful for that, too.”

Heaving a breath, I tilt my head. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Declan, but what changed? At our meeting last week, I was pretty sure you hated the sight of me.”

His expression is heavy, earnest. “I’ve never hated you, Lex. You saw right through me, and that’s not an experience I relish.”

Declan looks off into the distance, his grip on his handlebars tightening. “I care about them more than anyone else in this world.” He glances my way briefly. “I like to think I know what’s best for them, especially Linc.”

I arch a brow. “He might argue.”

“Oh, he absolutely would. And in this instance, he’d be right.” He eyes me. “This instance.”

Scoffing, I swing my leg over the bike seat to face him fully. “It’s honestly astonishing you’re as close as you are. All three of you are stubborn and opinionated as fuck.”

He mock glares at me, arms crossed. “You think you know me, boss?”

I shake my head, eyes crinkling in amusement. “No, you haven’t let that happen. But I know them pretty damn well.”

His chuckle feels like a balm. “That’s fair enough.” He searches my face for a long moment. “You want to know the truth?”

Please. “Always.”

“You scare me.”

I still. “I scare you.”

He nods. “Yeah, you scare the shit out of me.”

“Why?”

His look suggests I know exactly why. But I don’t. Why did you kiss me?

“I don’t want to drive any wedges between you, Declan.” My voice is impossibly gentle.

The breath he draws is ragged, his expression softening. “I know, Lex. I’ve finally let myself believe it. Being here, seeing them…” He sighs, carding his fingers through his dark hair. “Seeing you, the way you are together. I could pretend not to realize it before, but it’s obvious now.”

“What is?” I’m barely breathing, vaguely aware of the city bustling around us.

“You care about them.”

“Of course I do.” I frown. “Why would that scare you?”

He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he shifts on his feet, eyes intent on mine. It takes him a moment to speak.

“It's not you I’m worried about driving us apart.” He exhales sharply. “It’s me. I shouldn’t have kissed you like I did, not without a conversation with you and them, and not…not like that.”

“Declan…” my voice trails to nothing as my heartbeat pounds.

---