Page 72 of Electric Touch

I blink a few times. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, after what happened.”

Adrestia looks at me in silent disappointment. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m not coming up, or she thinks I’m being stupid over Riley. Probably the latter.

“I’m not upset about what she said, if you’re worried. I told you about the statistics for cheaters who have regrets. Doing what they can to win the other person back. They’re pretty high.”

“I don’t care about that shit,” I tell her.

“I see.”

“I mean, I don’t care if that is what Riley is thinking,” I add, holding up my hand. I try to smile, to reassure her I’m not mad at her. I’m mad at myself more than anything. All I wanted was to go home with Adrestia tonight. Now it feels wrong, tarnished. I’m no longer in the mood for what we started on the dancefloor.

She reaches over and touches my forearm. “I understand.”

I don’t want her to understand. I don’t want her to feel like I’m rejecting her. Closing my eyes, I curse Riley all over again.

“Maybe there are some things I need to sort out before things go any further. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep seeing you but, I guess I need to figure this out.”

“If that is what you want, I can accept that,” Adrestia shifts her purse strap onto her shoulder. “I hope you can.” She opens the door and gets out.

Fuck, that wasn’t what I meant. I don’t want her to think this is over. What the hell do I say to make her see that? The car door shuts and I run both hands through my hair. Am I going to throw this away? It’s the wrong time. She’s come into my life at a point when I’m not ready for her.

Shit, I can’t leave it like this. How do I fix this?

Adrestia has gone by the time I decide to go after her. I open the car door and step out. Blake is out of his side as soon as I set foot on the sidewalk, his brows raised in question.

“What do you want to do?” he asks.

He’s not asking on a personal level. He means am I staying or getting back into the car.

My phone beeps. I look at it and curse again.

Riley: I need you

I shove it back in my pocket and tilt my head, trying to guess which window belongs to Adrestia. I

wonder if she is looking down here, seeing my indecision. When the phone rings, I groan and get back in the car. Blake gets in too and looks at me in the rearview mirror.

“I took her phone, ignore her.”

“Alessa, what’s going on?”

“She is drunk and stupid. Go home, Nash. Or better, go with Adrestia. This is not your concern.”

But it is, and I can’t help it.

“I won’t let you in if you show up.”

“Alessa,” I groan.

“No. It is bad enough I am here watching her puke and cry like baby. This is end of story. End of you worrying about her. Go home.”

Alessa hangs up on me. I’ve had too much to drink. I’m no good to anyone right now.

I look up at Blake. “Take me home.”

It's been over a week since the nightclub, and neither Dylan nor Alessa have let me see Riley. I’m fine with it. Especially given she ran straight back to that asshole, Brent.

I wanted to see her, not knowing what I thought I could do to help. Or find out what she wants. Because it seems she doesn’t know herself.

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