Page 39 of Corrupt Me

Dread hit me like a punch to the gut, and in a snap, I no longer thought about Brody’s lips, and all the problems I’d been running from came barreling back.

I froze, and Brody picked up on the sudden tension lining my body. I hadn’t realized how close we were until now. Anyone passing by would assume we were a couple.

I wanted my ears to be playing games on me. I wanted there to be no one behind me when I turned around. I wanted it to be impossible that I heard Preston’s voice.

Brody’s gaze lifted over my head, and my heart sank as the twinkle in his eyes dimmed.

I closed my eyes briefly, seeking a semblance of composure, before I turned around to face Preston.

My ears hadn’t lied.

It had been three weeks since I’d last seen him. And yet, it took a glimpse to make it feel like no time had passed.

How easy it would be to fall back into my old life, into old habits. Everything about Preston was comfortable in that familiar way, not because his presence was good or bad, just easy.

And that frightened me.

“Preston?” My brows drew together. “What are you doing here?”

He wore a pair of tailored khakis and a navy sweater. His sandy hair was styled to perfection. Not a hair out of place. Next to Preston, I felt a mess, underdressed, disheveled, and sweaty. A surly expression set on his features. “Not the greeting I was expecting from mygirlfriend.”

Had he thought I would run into his arms and declare how much I missed him? That I’d made a big mistake asking for space?

He had.

And so very Preston.

I felt Brody stiffen beside me when Preston claimed me as his girlfriend.

“Preston,” I sighed, taking a step away from Brody. “We’re not together, remember?” I tried to keep my voice placid, but by the narrowing of Preston’s eyes, I failed.

“That’s why I’m here. Can we talk? Privately,” he added, shifting his gaze to Brody, and his eyes tapered to a glare.

God, I wasn’t ready for this conversation. Not yet, but Preston wasn’t giving me a choice. I rubbed at my temples. “Yeah, sure. You did drive all the way here.” It wasn’t like I could turn him away. The manners my mother ingrained in me wouldn’t let me.

And I didn’t want to be estranged from Preston. My hope was we could be friends. His family was important to me—important to mine. I didn’t want to lose them.

I faced Brody, wishing my cheeks weren’t pinker than they already were.

“See you tomorrow?” Brody asked.

“Probably,” I replied with an apologetic small smile.

He winked at me before giving Preston the side-eye and walked away, leaving me with the youngest Malone.

I crossed my arms, regarding Preston with annoyance. “You shouldn’t have shown up like this.”

Preston frowned at me. “Who was that?”

“A friend.”

He raised his annoyed brows. “Really? Because he looked like he was trying to make a move on my girl.” Accusation laced his tone as ifI’ddone something wrong.

I rolled my eyes, my frustration skyrocketing. “Preston. We’re not together. I haven’t changed my mind. It’s only been a month.”

“It’s been amonth, Ev,” he nearly whined. “We’ve never gone that long without talking. Never.”

It was true. “I know.” I sighed, my shoulders slumping. The guilt set in. He had a way of knowing what emotions to poke, a manipulative skill. I had to stop letting him maneuver me.

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