Page 144 of Cruel Steps

“Anything.” She bounced on her toes, and I laughed.

“Is there something between you and Hendrix?”

She choked, bending over to take a deep breath, and that was when I realized she was laughing. “God, no. He’s my brother’s best friend, and I don’t have the correct anatomy.”

My eyes widened. “Really? I had no idea.” I thought back over my interactions with him. “Huh. Okay.”

“He doesn’t hide it, but won’t flaunt it because of toxic masculinity. He’s discreet, but I honestly think he’s sworn off dating after his last disastrous breakup. But enough about Henny. Tell me, tell me, tell me!” She grabbed my hand and jumped up and down like an overgrown puppy.

“I’m dating Holden and Colter. We’re official.” I shrugged, my face heating.

“Bish. You’re so damn lucky.” She fanned herself. “Just picturing being between those two has me hot and bothered. I think I even have a girl crush on you. Do you guys want a fourth? How do I audition? Do they kiss? That would be hot!”

“Five-minute warning!”

Thank God. I did not want to answer any of her questions. I spun on my too-new cowboy boots and headed out to the floor, JoJo yelling after me, “Answer me!”

“Can’t hear you!”

A body stopped me at the door, and JoJo almost ran into me. I’d forgotten about the new protocol.

“Hand,” he said, and I lifted it so he could stamp it. Hendrix rotated stamps so they couldn’t be copied, and they were black-light, so the guards checked them before letting anyone down the hallway. It was much easier than keeping a card on us at all times.

Since it was country night, JoJo and I headed to the front. We weren’t leading the line dance, but were dispersed on the dance floor so everyone could see the dance if they didn’t know it. The music came back on, and the floor filled with patrons dressed similarly to us—cowboy boots, cowboy hats, jeans, and flannel.

Beyonce’s country song came on, and the crowd cheered, falling into step with the dance. After one song, sweat beaded my brow, and my feet already felt pinched in the shoes. After the past two days, tonight was one of the first times I didn’t want to dance. It felt more like a chore than enjoyable. Instead of taking my mind off things, I just thought about them more and more.

By the time Holden walked into the bar during my last dance shift, I’d worked myself up again. I needed to confront Hope or I was liable to blow a gasket. When the final song ended, I sighed in relief and headed off the floor. My feet throbbed, my body was drenched in sweat, and I’d worked myself up into a tizzy of frustration and betrayal.

That was what hurt the worst—believing she’d changed. Once again, I’d been made the fool. If her business degree didn’t work out, she had a career in acting.

Changing out of my clothes, I texted Holden to meet me in the back parking lot. JoJo had left an hour ago, so I didn’t have anyone else to say bye to. Turning the corner, I smacked into a hard chest. Hands gripped me, and I tensed until I felt the familiar electricity between us.

“Everything good?” He rubbed my arms up and down, easing my irritation.

“Yeah. Just ready to go.” Holden nodded and linked our hands together. He nodded to a few guards as we passed, but said nothing else. “How’s Colter?” I asked once we were outside.

“He fell asleep around nine. He wants to return to classes tomorrow.”

“He’s joking, right?”

“That’s what I said. You might have to use your female persuasion on him.”

“Why does this feel like something that benefits you?” I teased.

“If I get to join in your persuasion, I don’t see how that makes it any less efficient.”

“Ah, I see. You’re a complete martyr, are you, Holden Adler?”

Holden picked me up, swinging me around as I laughed and clung to him. “Don’t drop me!”

“Wildcat, are you sure you’ve been to the same football games I have? I don’t drop things.”

“So humble!”

“We don’t joke about dropping, Wildcat.” He peered down at me, his eyes blazing as he stared at me. “I missed you.”

“It was only a few hours.”

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