Page 60 of Never His Girl

Desperate to know if Southside’s done with me, done withus.

From the outside looking in, a normal person would argue that thereisno us, but that someone would be dead-ass-wrong. Because what they’re missing is that there’salwaysbeenan us.

Since I wanted to kill my own brother for grinding all over her at the dance.

Since I realized I can’t stand to be touched by any other girl.

Since we fucked and she damn-near made my heart explode inside my chest.

I don’t know how or when it’ll get through to her, but Southside’s gonna realize she’s fucking stuck with me.

The barred security door rattles when I bang my fist against it. It isn’t until now that I even consider her dad might get pissed that I’m stopping by at nearly midnight. Then, I remember what my first impression was of the guy, and that he isn’t worth shit, and suddenly I don’t care if I disturb him.

No one answers, so I bang a second time.

Another gust of wind sweeps through and I shove both hands in my pockets to warm them. But when I glance up, I’m met by the confused gaze of the wrong Riley sister. Or maybe she’s the right one. The one whodidn’tcome at my car with a bat tonight.

“I need to talk to Blue,” I say through the door.

Scarlett’s response is to stand there, holding the curtain back while she stares, seemingly torn. Seeing as how she once kind of idolized me, having her snub me means she’s seen Pandora’s stupid post. Of course, she’s very much on her sister’s side, whichalsomeans she’s suddenly feeling very anti-West tonight.

That’s beautiful.

Fucking great.

I think quickly, before she walks away and leaves my ass standing out here in the cold. Because she’d totally do that. I see it in her eyes. The sisterly bond these two have going on is deadly.

“Listen, that post wasn’t what it looked like,” I rush to say. “I just want to come in and explain that to your sister. Please. She blocked my number so this is the only way I can reach her.”

Well, shit! Did I just tell the truth without being backed into a corner?

I’m not even sure Imeantto until it spewed from my mouth, but from the way Scarlett’s expression is softening, I wonder if that didn’t just work.

She looks me up and down like the trash I imagine she thinks I am for hurting her sister, then I could kiss the kid’s feet when I hear that lock disengage. Only, when I reach for the security door, turns out that’s locked, too.

“Tell me why I should let you in,” she greets me through the wrought iron bars, pushing a faded pink ponytail behind her shoulder. Then, she tosses me the same chilled look her sister loves to hit me with.

I breathe into my hands because I left without a coat and it’s fucking freezing. So, I’m trying to ignore the cold while figuring out how to reason with a fourteen year-old girl.

“Because I’m a fu—”

Dude, you just acknowledged she’s only fourteen. Watch your damn mouth.

I take a breath and start again. “Because I’m a screw-up. I know it. Your sister knows it. It’s the whole reason we’re so dysfunctional. But I didn’t do what she thinks I did, Scarlett. I swear.”

She looks me up and down, crossing both arms over her unicorn t-shirt as she leans against the doorframe.

“And what else?” she asks, sounding only about half as bratty as Southside whenshechallenges me.

“And… I want to make things right,” I add. “I don’t like her being pissed at me for things I didn’t do.”

“What about the things youdiddo?”

What the hell! Is Southside selling a‘Give Him Hell’training course I don’t know about?

“I’m trying to fix that stuff, too,” I answer. “But I can’t do that from out here.”

She still isn’t budging and I’m starting to wonder if I would’ve had better luck with Blue answering. But then, right when I start doubting, Scarlett flips the lock on the security door and lets me step inside.

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