Page 93 of Verses

“Can we talk when we’re done here?”

Ah…thathelped. I already knew what was coming. “Yeah, sure.”

So, mentally, I was back where I’d been last night before he’d kissed me. It pissed me off, and all my angry songs came out angrier.

It felt good.

When rehearsal was over, Pedro said, “Damn, Hayley. I felt some Corey Taylor vibes coming from you.”

“I’m taking that as a compliment.” Considering Slipknot was one of his favorite bands.

“Hell, yeah.”

“Yeah,” Kyle said. “Good job, Hayl.”

“Thanks. You too.” So weird. Kyle and I hardly talked anymore, and having different schedules didn’t help. We said more to each other at practices than we did at our apartment.

Maybe that was normal.

But all the guys eventually left, leaving me and Wolf…and I had to listen to whatever bullshit he felt the need to say before I could go home and figure my fucking life out.

There were only a couple of regulars in the bar and they’d be here till closing time. Still, it would give Wolf the time and space he needed to say whatever it was he thought had to be said…even though I already knew it would be the same old thing.

Behind the bar, Wolf poured a couple of shots of the top-shelf whiskey he’d had me try out a few months ago.

Probably to help me steel myself. Or to help him.

After he set the bottle down, he slid one of the tiny glasses toward me. “Down the hatch.” He downed his quickly but I just took a sip. I wanted to be stone cold sober.

Maybe he didn’t even notice.

“Do you regret last night?” he asked.

“Regretwhat?”

“That I kissed you. I feel like I forced myself on you.”

Unable to help myself, I started laughing. “Thatwas forcing yourself?” When he shrugged, I added, “I’ve been wanting you to do that this whole time. You know that.”

I couldn’t read the small smile forming on his lips. “Okay.”

“So what does this all mean, Wolf?”

Pouring himself another shot, he let out a long breath of air. “I gotta be honest, bird. I would be proud to call you my girlfriend, but it feels like a mistake. I just want to give you one last chance to back out.”

“I don’t want to.”

“I’m just warning you one last time: I’m not a good boyfriend.”

“So you say…but I don’t give a shit. I guarantee you’ll be better than Kyle was.”

I couldn’t read the way he tilted his head—but I was holding my breath. Was he really sayingyesthis time?

For real?

He swallowed another shot before looking me in the eyes. As he spoke, I let the air out of my lungs. “Just make me a promise.”

I nodded.

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