Page 48 of Flash

“So, this prank thing is over?” I check with Jag.

“Yeah, yeah.” He waves me off. “It was a nice distraction for a few weeks though. Now I’m going to have to go back to trolling for ass to keep myself entertained.”

“Hey, if you’re interested, I know a guy who’s just your type. I can set you two up,” Tex offers.

Jag tips his chair onto its back legs and then nods. “Maybe. I’ll let you know the next time I’m desperate.”

“Fair enough,” Tex agrees with a snort.

“So, anyone have any brilliant ideas how I can convince Lewis that I honestly had no clue he was the flower shop twink? He’s convinced it was all part of a prank.”

Jag cackles. “That’s some devious shit. I’m sorry this is a mess for you, but I’m going to take a second to savor the fact that I fucked with him so thoroughly that he’s fucking with himself without me having to lift a finger. I’m in his head.”

I growl and dart my foot out to knock the chair out from under him. He clatters to the floor with a curse.

“You deserved that one,” Hero says.

Jag huffs, getting up and dusting himself off.

“Sorry,” I mutter as he sets his chair upright and sits back down.

“We could sign a notarized letter,” Hero suggests.

“That’s very official, I like it.” Tex nods in agreement.

“You guys are idiots.” I sigh.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I figured you wanted advice other than ‘fucking talk to him like a goddamn adult,’” Hero says.

“Just ’cause there’s ducks, doesn’t make it a pond,” Tex says unhelpfully.

“As delightful as your down-homesy sayings are, I don’t have a fucking clue what that means.”

He smirks. “Age doesn’t make you an adult.”

I let out a small chuckle. Fine, he’s got a point there.

“Do you think it’s as simple as just talking to him?” I ask.

Piston shrugs. “Only one way to find out.”

A pair of headlights illuminate the night behind me and I crane my neck to see who’s pulling into my driveway.

“Did you guys order food?”

Chapter 16

LEWIS

There’s a gnawing pit in my stomach as I pull into Arrow’s driveway and see all the motorcycles. Of course his friends are all here. The garage door is open and the light is illuminating the night, giving me a clear view of Arrow sitting with his back to the driveway. The guys who have been giving me a hard time all month are seated around him, casually lounging and sipping beer.

Maybe this was a mistake. Fuck, maybe they’re in there laughing and patting Arrow on the back for tricking me so well. I swallow around the lump in my throat and try to hang on to everything Rowan said to me this afternoon, slowly feeding me the confidence to come over here and get closure, if nothing else.

I can see Arrow craning his neck, trying to see through the dark to figure out who’s in his driveway. My heart thunders and I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. I want more than closure. I don’t want to admit it even to myself, but I want him to find the right words to make me believe that what we have is real. I want Arrow… Jason. I take a steadying breath and turn off my car.

The chatter from the garage comes to an abrupt stop, which only feeds my paranoia. Were they actually talking about me?

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

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