Page 48 of Wicked Scandal

CHAPTER 14

WILDER

When I woke up this morning, the sun had barely broken over the clouds and Cat was still asleep. Last night I watched her sleep peacefully through an entire movie, and another hour after that. I couldn’t get enough of the way her nostrils flared slightly with each breath. Or the way her lips moved subtly as if she were speaking in a dream before curving into a smile. I’m pretty sure my eyes were still on her when mine finally shut, too.

With her still on the couch, I went into the bedroom and got a blanket off the bed and covered her up before creeping out quietly to head to get a few things for breakfast. It’s hard to leave her, but after the night we had, I think she deserves someone to cook her a nice meal.

I pull up to the mini-mart and glance at the dash in my car to see that it’s only eight o’clock. It’s a rarity that I’m awake this early on a Saturday, unless it’s training season for football. But I couldn’t make myself go back to sleep once I saw her beautiful face. All I knew was I wanted to make her smile again, and I have an idea how I can do that.

Getting out of my car, I’m surprised to find that the mini-mart is packed. I guess it’s prime shopping time for the older generation.

After grabbing a cart, I hit the produce aisle and get some green peppers and onions before heading down the cold section where I get a few more things.

I’ve never grocery shopped before and it makes me feel mature in some really messed-up way. I push the cart with confidence, as if I’ve done this a hundred times.

“Cromwell,” I hear my name from behind me in the bread aisle and the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. I spin around and see Luke, Aiden, and none other than Rome. If anyone can see when I’m lying, it’s my twin brother.

Fuck my life.

I stand there, gripping the handle of the cart while hoping they’ll just turn and walk away, but there isn’t a chance in hell they’ll do that.

“Where the hell were you last night?” Luke howls from the end of the aisle as they make their way to me.

Shit. Luke’s party was last night. I’ve never missed a party with the guys and I need to come up with a damn good excuse before they get on my ass.

“What are you guys doing awake so early on Saturday morning?” Once I’m surrounded by them, I get a strong whiff of alcohol. All three of them look like hell. “Have you guys even slept yet?”

“Nope,” Luke says, popping the p while throwing a few chips in his mouth. Pretty sure he’s high, too. “Now answer the question.”

I scratch the back of my head, averting my gaze. “I, umm…had work to do. For my dad.”

Rome glowers at me. “Where at? Callan said you never came home last night.” Shit. I knew he would be able to tell it was a lie. Well, it’s not really a lie. I did need to work on stuff for Dad, but Cat and I just didn’t get to it, yet.

“None of your business,” I snap back, hoping if I’m firm he will leave it alone. “Does it really matter?”

Luke tips his chin, while Aiden rummages through the donut section, pulling out a box of powdered donut holes. “You’re holding out on us, man. Who is she?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask, playing it cool.

“You know exactly what he’s talking about,” Rome scoffs. “So answer the question. Who is she?”

"Yeah,” Aiden cuts in as he opens the box of donuts. “You know what he’s talking about. The girl in the video you posted last night.” He pops a donut hole in his mouth, waiting for a response as he chews it. Powder covers his lips and his eyebrows rise.

“Just some chick,” I tell them, confident that will satisfy their need to get in my business.

“Everyone’s talking. Your investigative followers are determined to find out who she is.” Rome tsks. “Might as well just give her up because some are even doing image searches of her ear.”

“Bullshit,” I growl as I reach in my pocket and pull out my phone. I immediately go to the app, then to the video and I gasp when I see that the video has went viral. Like hella viral. 1.6 million views in six hours. “Holy fuck,” I mutter under my breath.

I start scrolling through the comments, and it’s obvious people have made it their mission to find out who I was with last night. Some girls are even jealous, talking about how they are heartbroken that it’s not them. Then there are the ones who seem genuinely happy for me.

I keep scrolling, my eyes skimming for two specific words—Mrs. Jenkins. Fortunately, no one has suspected her, so I breathe a sigh of relief.

Rome throws an arm around my shoulders, walking me away from the guys. “Just tell me, bro. Was it her?”

“Who?” I scoff, playing dumb. We might not be near the guys, but this isn’t something I wanna talk about in a packed grocery store. Actually, it’s not something I wanna talk about at all. What I have with Cat is fragile. I need to be careful if it’s going to last. And fuck, I need it to last.

“You know who I’m talking about.” Rome’s voice is calm as he pleads with me. My brother and I have always been close, so it is hard not to confide in him. I just don’t know if I can trust him yet. “It’s me, Wilder. Just fucking tell me the truth.”

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