Page 21 of Call You Mine

So many unanswered questions run through my mind. I wanted to shake it out of her, fuck her so damn hard shescreamed what happened off the top of her lungs, but she refused to confide in me, and something told me I needed to stand back until she was ready.

Forcing her to open up would only push her away. I know because it's exactly what happened the last time I saw her.

Beside me, I hear Scar trying to hold in a laugh.

Slamming my glass down on the metal tray of another poor, unsuspecting server, I turn and glare at my now ex-best friend, telling her to back the fuck off with a murderous glare.

“Whatever you’re thinking of saying, don't,” I sneer, though all that causes is for her to fall into a fit of full-blown laughter. I don’t have time for this shit.

“I wasn’t,” she says as I turn to walk away, reaching out for me. She hooks her thin fingers around my biceps and I stop. “Oh, come on, Drake,” she mutters, but I don’t let her finish.

Grabbing her arm, I drag her away from the table we’re standing by as more guests arrive. The reception will start soon and if I don’t get a hold of my shit now, I’m going to cause a fucking scene.

“Scarlett,” I growl in a hushed tone only she could hear. “You forget how long I’ve known you. I know the way your mind works.”

She rolls her eyes, pulling out of my grasp, and flicking her sleek back hair over her shoulder, showing off the new ink she’s gotten tattooed on her collarbone—the nameCaeliwritten in beautiful script with delicate ink.

“I’m sorry, okay. But come on Drake, the shit the two of you just pulled. Did you really think no one was going to react?”

I grab another drink from the same server who flinches in fear the moment I reach out for him. “Keep them coming,” I snarl, and the poor fucker squeals, nodding nervously as he rushes back to the bar at the end of the makeshift dancefloor. I turn back to Scar, who’s grinning at me like she knows something I don’t.

“I don’t give a shit what you or anyone here thinks,” I say, turning back to her, and once again throwing back the bourbon in one gulp. I’m going to need a goddamn bottle.

Why the fuck did I agree to this again?

Right, because a damsel in distress came knocking on my door and I just couldn’t fucking help myself.

“I’m sorry Drake, I didn’t mean...”

I scoff, turning away from her, my gaze once again seeking Wynter out amongst the crowd. She’s moved from where she was standing with her mother. “Don’t patronize me by apologizing just to make yourself feel better.”

“That’s not...”

I interrupt her once more. “Look Scar, just go back to your friends and family. I don’t need nor want your unsolicited opinion or thoughts on why you think I came here with her. I did, and that’s that. Whatever is or isn’t going on between us is nobody’s fucking business but ours.”

Her mouth drops open in shock, her beautiful blue eyes glittering with so many questions as she furrows her brows in irritation. “Okay, well first, it’s wild you know exactly what I was about to say, and second, for someone who doesn't care what people think you sure are touchy.”

“Just fuck off okay, I don’t want to argue with you.”

“Then stop fucking interrupting me,” she shouts, and suddenly I’m the one who wants to laugh.

Scar’s always been feisty, and deep inside I’m glad despite everything she’s been through, she hasn’t changed a goddamn bit. She brings her hands up to rest on her hips, her long nails the same gold color as the shiny satin fabric of her bridesmaid dress. The slight bump on her stomach is barely noticeable along the smooth fabric, and if it weren’t because she’s always beenso incredibly fit, you wouldn’t be able to tell she’s almost five months pregnant. “Just please tell me this isn’t some kind of revenge plot against Ace.”

Anger flares inside of me at her accusation. “Are you fucking serious? You really think I’m still hung up on the two of you being together?” Way to fucking go Scar, looks like you fit in with these people more than you think.

“I just had to ask, okay? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to say you still had feelings for me, but I know it probably wasn’t easy to see us together, married now, and with a baby.”

“Don’t apologize for all of this, Scarlett,” I mutter, reaching out and bringing her in closer, placing my hands on either side of her arms. “Not for your happiness, not for the family you never wanted, but always deserved. You deserve the right to be happy and to take that in any way you can.”

I place a soft kiss on the top of her head and pull away, not wanting to make this seem like anything more than two old friends sharing a moment that’s been long overdue.

After everything that’s happened between us, and between her and Ace, our tight-knit friendship fell apart. For a long time, I could barely stand being in the same room with her, not because I was pining after her, but because I couldn’t understand why she was with someone who caused her so much pain.

Turns out that brought them closer together, and after they both made it through all the challenges thrown their way, they realized they were meant to be.

Doesn’t mean I had to stand there and take it all in.

I hear her sniffle as my finger trails under her eye, wiping a stray tear away before anyone catches sight of it. “God Dragon Man, you're going to make me cry, and I don’t cry.”

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