Page 71 of Hell and High Water

It just accents how rugged he is. How tough he is.

Then there’s Evan, who looks divine, like he rolled straight off a movie set. Even his messy black hair and unshaven jaw make my toes curl.

“It’s… good to see you.” I keep my cup in front of my mouth as I say it, eyeing him from across the room. So close. Yet so far away.

It’s more than the distance from the door to the sink.

There’s a divide between us.

And he has to cross it. He has to come to me, damn it.

But he just stands there, eyes locked on mine, his mouth a thin line. Like he can’t just fucking say something, say anything to me?

I watch him flinch the second I scowl, a dozen different emotions flickering over his face before he schools his features again and simply says, “You have no idea how good it is to see you, Hell.”

No smile. Just hard, true words.

And that fiery gaze burning me from the inside out.

He takes a step closer, then another, crossing the room to stand on the other side of the counter. I should run to him. I should let it go. Or he could show me just how much he missed me like a normal person.

“So. Are you going to tell me what the hell happened to you?” Call me vindictive, but I want to make him work for it.

I cock my head, flaring my eyes at Evan, making sure he understands that he’s only just started making amends. Not even started. Like starting to get started starting.

Why does he do this to my brain?

So I turn that same gaze on Gavin next. He caves way faster, looking away and rubbing his neck.

It’s way too satisfying. I’m a little frayed, still a little riled up from my spook with the package and note. Some sense of control feels pretty damn decent.

“What do you mean, ‘what happened?’” Evan asks, trying to act nonchalant. Innocent.

“Don’t play stupid. It looks too real on you,” I snap, almost snorting my water as it blurts out of my mouth before I can censor the retort.

“Wow!” Gavin snorts, clapping hand over his mouth. “You’re in so much trouble.”

“Me?” Evan’s hackles shoot up, glaring at Gavin.

“Oh, God. It’s worse than I thought. You two… bonded, didn’t you?” I roll my eyes, leaning over the counter. Both of their eyes flick down to my cleavage pressed between my arms peeking out of my Henley and flannel.

“Gavin,” I clip, and he snaps to attention.

“Yep.”

“You left here to go check something out, didn't you?”

“Oh, yeah!” He blows out a long sigh, scratching his head and bee-lining it to the fridge. “Gonna need a beer for this…”

He looks back, holding one up for Evan.

Huh. I’ve never seen Evan turn green before.

“Suit yourself. We, uh, ran into a bit of trouble,” Gavin admits, tilting his head.

Evan absently rubs a hand along his arm, wincing, clearly in pain.

“Are you alright?” I look from one to the other.

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