Page 50 of Never You

“I guess I don’t know any better.”

The number of times I wished I had a normal family. A family that spends their Christmases around their decorated tree, baking cookies on Christmas morning. A dad that watched your games, or a mom who cradled you to sleep after a bad dream. But the truth is, I don’t even know if that exists.

For all I know… it’s just a fantasy.

We make it to Amarillo right before dinner, and after a quick stop at a food truck, we book a room at the nearest hotel, then freshen up.

Bodi and I are waiting for Rae to join us for drinks, and I can’t help my eyes searching the door every five seconds. In just twenty-four hours being in her company, we’ve grown into a routine that feels natural. A balancing mix between a push and pull of our characters clashing that keeps me on my toes and has the image of Rae roaming through my head when she’s not around.

Finally, my waiting is rewarded, and my glass stills mid-air when a gorgeous blonde enters the hotel bar. Her silky hair is hanging in a thick braid over her shoulder, her brown eyes beaming through the room when our gazes lock.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter.

I lick my lips when she sways her petite hips covered in black jeans, making a few male heads spin as she glides through the room.

She’s with me, fuckers.

“You okay, mate?” Bodi shoves his elbow into my ribs, trying to snap me out of my fixation. “She’s getting in your head, isn’t she?”

“I’m not sure if she’s getting in or everything else is getting out,” I admit, honestly. The whole reason I went back to the arena was to find Rae. To make sure she could help me fix whatever bullshit I had going on with Emily, knowing my family would be nagging me about it. But the more time I spend with Rae, the less I think about fixing what is supposed to be fixed.

“I’m pretty sure it’s both.”

I watch Bodi bring his glass to his lips in the corner of my eye, a smug tone in his voice. “Christ, mate. Stop staring.”

“I can’t.”

She walks the final yards while my heart pounds against my ribcage until she stops in front of our table. Her vibrant smile lighting the room.

“Hey, boys.”

When I stay gawking at her pretty face, her eyes widen in embarrassment, and she examines her black crop top. “Oh, God. Do I have a stain somewhere?”

“No!” Bodi blurts. “You look great. Just different from what we’re used to.”

She drops her attention to her jeans and red boots, then takes a seat beside us with an amused grin.

“Is it the boots?”

“It’s everything.” Our eyes meet, and she bites her lip, keeping her attention focused on me for a brief moment. “You look good.”

She looks like trouble.

“Thank you.” Her cheeks turn a light pink.

“Right,” she says, changing the subject. “What are we drinking?”

And I just smile, because I don’t care what we drink.

As long as it gets me into trouble.

13

My mind keeps playing tricks with me and I blame the broody man that lasers his gaze right through me.

“Truth or dare?” My brows quirk up.

I don’t even like truth or dare. It’s a silly game that’s always the catalyst for bad choices, but I guess that’s the equivalent of Jared James Jensen and the rebel inside of me. I’m certain that both of them will be the death of me.

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