Page 192 of Tangled up in You

“No, you’re not. We’ll be lucky if she doesn’t press charges,” I argue, even though I’ll happily watch round two.

Ry points at the door. “For what? She assaulted you. I merely pulled the sperm collector off. Fucking little groupie bitch. I’ll kill her.”

Grabbing Ry and spinning her around so she has her back up against the door, I try to ignore her heaving chest or how the snapping look in her eyes is making me achingly hard. “Ry, we are not a couple, and now that shit about you being my girl is going to be all over socials. Fucking Seth is….”

Ry pushes on my chest. “Fuck, my brother. You know what…fine. You don’t want to admit there is something between us, then whatever. I don’t need you. I can find ten guys out there who will be happy to have me.”

The possessive rage takes over the second she spins and touches the door handle. Grabbing her arm, I spin her back around. “Don’t you fucking dare,” I snarl.

“Let go of me, Cas. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t tell me who I can fuck and not want to face what is clearly between us. I’m so sick of this dance. For three years, I’ve been trying toget your attention, and it’s always the same. You run off and date someone else. Do you even know how many times you’ve broken my heart?”

“Fine, you want me to admit it?” I punch the door beside her head with a bang. “Yes, I fucking want you.” Pushing away from her, I walk across the room and run my hands through my hair. “But what I want doesn’t matter.”

“What did my brother say that has you this freaked out?”

I shake my head. “I’m not freaked out. I respect your brother. He’s like my blood. He’s my best friend, and he’s always there for me. All the ups and downs, my sorry ass dropping out of school, throat surgery, and everything in between, Seth has been there. He warned all of us away from you, and you’re asking me to throw away twenty years of friendship.” Ry looks away, tears filling her eyes as she crosses her arms over her chest. All I want to do is take the pain away. I want to wrap her up and never let go.

“I swear I’m going to kill him. He’s been meddling in my personal life since I turned thirteen. I’m an adult. I can take care of myself and make my own decisions.”

As dangerous as it is, I go to Ry and move to cup her face, but she smacks my hands away. “No, don’t touch me. I know what I want, and I’m not scared to fight for us, but I refuse to be the only one fighting. You want the groupie whore? Go for it, but don’t try to stop me from having fun.”

Ry pushes my chest, forcing me to take a step back. Whipping open the door, Quinn, Finn, and Koa are all out in the hall, trying to act like they aren’t listening.

“Ry, come on…this is a rock and a hard place.”

Her eyes look like liquid silver with tears shimmering in them, and I want to take back every word. This is all my fault. Last night, I let things happen, and tonight, I kiss her…what the hell am I thinking?

“No, it really isn’t. I’m either worth the risk and the fight or not.” She looks me up and down. “I know where you stand.” Ry disappears out the door, and I try to chase after her, but Quinn grabs me, his hand firmly on my shoulder.

“Just let her cool down,” he says.

“How much of that did you all hear?” They shrug and look away. “Great, so now you all know.”

“Trust me, it isn’t a secret that you want to fuck her brains out,” Finn laughs and pulls out a pack of smokes. I glare at him. “Fine.” He puts the pack away with a roll of his eyes. If I can’t have any, then I’m going to be a dick and make sure no one else can have them either. “Dude, Seth knows that we all want to fuck his baby sister.”

“What the fuck did you just say?” I clench my fist.

“Wake up, Cas. Have you not seen the way she flirts with all of us? Granted, I think if forced to make a choice, you are at the top…no correction, you were at the top. Now I’m not so sure. You kinda fucked that up.”

I point down the hall in the direction Ry took off. “What am I supposed to do? You know as well as I do how Seth feels.”

Koa shrugs. “So what? Look…the worst he’s going to do is be pissed, maybe throw a punch? I mean, she’s right. She’s a grown-ass adult and a fucking fine one at that. If she wants to have fun and knows the score, it’s her choice. Stop trying to be her daddy.”

I glare at Koa. “Don’t ever say that to me again. Fuck, like my head isn’t already messed up, you have to add that shit.”

“Just remember what I said,” Quinn raises an eyebrow at me. “With us, she’s safe. What do you think she is doing right now with whatever guy she finds? Or better question, what will they force her to do?” Fear trickles down my spine, but the anger in my stomach burns hotter. “Ry is…man, the girl has a wild streak. You’re never going to be able to tell her she’s naughty and thinkshe’ll behave. Well…maybe in the bedroom…besides the point. If you’re serious about wanting Ry and protecting her, give her something to hang on to. You have six months to figure out how to break the news to Seth.”

Shit.

“I got to go.” Marching away from Quinn, I go on the hunt. My head is all fucked up over this. I can’t seem to figure out what is right and wrong anymore, but one thing I know for certain…she’s not fucking some random guy. I’ll kill him first.

CHAPTER 6

Ryver

Pushing through the last of the drunken crowd to the bathroom, I don’t let a single tear fall until I lock the door of the last stall. Maybe this is a bad idea. In a single day, I’ve fought with Cas twice and gotten into a catfight with a random girl. Back home, I don’t see him every day, and there have been weird lines drawn in our world from growing up together. This trip is supposed to be a new beginning, but now it’s a nightmare. Away from Seth and his stupid, ‘Don’t touch my sister or else’ bullshit that started so long ago. There is no way in hell I can stomach watching Cas night in and out with groupies climbing all over him. I’ll end up clawing their eyes out and then go to jail. Whether he is mine or not, I have a vicious, jealous streak that is hard to tame. I’m protective over all the guys, but Cas…is my first love. Hell, he’s still the guy I picture being with for the rest of my life.

Leaning against the metal door, I close my eyes and let the tears fall. How do I talk my heart into falling out of love with someone that I’ve been in love with for years? It’s impossible to believe that all my attempts are failing. I was so sure my seduction the other night would’ve pushed him over the edge.

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