Page 88 of Lovers Fate

I snort remembering the regret laced in his voice and him wanting me to leave. “He was clear with what he meant.”

He makes a face. “What?”

I shake my head. “Never mind.”

“Look…” he pauses and lowers his gaze. “Draco is…complicated but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

“Your uncle disagrees.”

“I don’t always do what he says.”

“Is that why you brought me to your house against his wishes? To defy him?”

“I don’t think he was complaining the entire night.”

My body heats remembering that way he looked at me in the shower. The memory ignited a dark craving for more but that can happen. He’s with Dahlia and he didn’t correct her when she said she was his, and that’s why I need to forget what happened between us. It was a mistake and it was obvious he regretted it. It was probably brought on in the heat of the moment from what he’d done to the guy in the van. The invitation to his show was out of guilt. Why else would he seek me out and offer?

“I think he also made it clear in the morning that I was a crazy mistake.” I close my eyes not wanting to relive the hurt and disappointment. Kaden doesn’t deserve me giving him shit. I turn to face him right when my ride shows up. “Look, it’s nothing personal against you or because you did anything wrong. You were great.” I open the door once my app verifies the driver. “But I don’t want to be the cause of a rift between you.”

“That’s not gonna happen,” he says quickly.

I don’t want to disappoint him and wish things were different but they‘re not. “Good, then there is nothing to worry about.”

I move to get inside the car.

“Athena.” I pause. “I still want to be your friend.”

“Who said you weren’t.” I shut the door and I watch him through the window staring at the car as it drives off doing nothing to relieve the ache in my chest.

TWENTY-EIGHT

DRACO

The distant screamsof fair goers filter through my trailer as I piece the broken ticket together like puzzle pieces.

The door opens but I don’t look up haunted by the look on her face when she walked away. I wanted to stop her but her friend had shown up and I didn’t want to say was what on my mind because I didn’t understand it myself. I want her and it’s not because of some prophecy. The dreams don’t help or visions of the past. They’ve become stronger the longer she’s around and there is no question, I’m him or should I say, me. Draco.

“Are you still moping?” My brother says.

“Define moping.”

He takes a seat and peels his mask off. “The others say you’re distracted.”

He means the show. How could I when all I can think about is Athena and the way I’ve treated her. I thought I was doing the right thing but I don’t know what is right anymore. My brother has had to step in a few times. We still can’t find the girl who was taken last and a bad feeling coils in the pit of my stomach. Thelonger we take, the more likely she’s dead. Another sacrifice for those sick bastards.

“I’m fine.”

He sighs leaning back on the small sofa facing the TV monitor surveying the entire park. “Why don’t you get your head out of your ass.”

I bunch the broken pieces in my fist. “What do you mean?”

He chuckles darkly. “Well, you haven’t exactly been Prince Charming.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Says the asshole that kills anyone who touches her.”

“Did you come here to piss me off or do you have something important to say.”

---