Page 24 of Doc's Decision

We can’t go on like this, in this maddening limbo.

Something’s gotta give.

I wash the remnants of dinner off my face and straighten my clothes, trying to tamp down the unruly curls that have sprung to life in the dry heat of Nevada.

I can’t let on just how much he affects me.

I can’t afford to show weakness.

As I open the bathroom door, I can hear the low rumble of Doc’s laughter carrying from the main area.

My stomach flips, but I force myself to school my features into a mask of indifference.

I can do this.

I can be just friends with Doc.

I have to be.

His green eyes meet mine, full of concern. “Hey, you okay?”

Fuck, he’s too perceptive.

Damn him for always seeing right through me.

“Yeah,” I manage to croak out, clearing my throat. “Just needed a second. You know how it is.”

He nods, but I know he doesn’t buy it.

The rest of the night passes by in a blur.

We watch some mind-numbing zombie flick on one of the couches in the main area, both of us careful not to touch more than necessary.

I focus on the screen, trying to ignore the way my body aches for his touch, for his hands on my skin, but soon enough, sleep takes me.

CHAPTER FIVE

Doc

Watching this movie has suddenly made me exhausted.

Meanwhile, Mandy was able to get a cat nap while a few of us got through the damn thing.

She stirs awake, and I shoot her a smile. “Mornin’ darlin’.”

She blinks a few times and rubs her eyes. “Fuck, what time is it? Is the movie over?”

Nodding, I confirm, “Yeah, just ended a few minutes ago.”

Mandy yawns and stretches as she gets off the couch. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Sure enough, she is. I guess she went to go freshen up or something.

She comes back over next to me and pops a squat.

“So Mandy,” Shiver says from one of the other couches, leaning forward on his elbows, “I gotta say, that last video you posted was hot as hell. You and Zoe really know how to put on a show.”

He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.

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