Page 6 of Caught Stealing

“Phoe—”

“Save it,” I scoff, taking a step backward. “I don’t wanna hear it.”

Kason takes a step toward me and grabs my forearm, guilt and pleading written all over his face.

“We’re not…Just let me explain,” he says, glancing at the people around us to make sure no one is paying attention. They aren’t, of course, but even if they were, I doubt I’d so much as blink an eye. Not when I’m still reeling from this bombshell.

Holden Sykes.

Out of everyone else attending Leighton—hell, in the entire world—it had to be Holden fucking Sykes.

The same jackass who is watching this exchange with a blend of amusement and disbelief…and still not one ounce of recognition on his face when his eyes land on me.

Un-fucking-believable.

“I’m outta here,” I mutter before pulling my arm from Kason’s grip.

I shove my way through the crowd to get away from them both, my emotions still swirling as much as my thoughts. The back door is the nearest exit, and I make a beeline for it.

I need to get out here.Now. So I don’t have to watch Kason go home with the campus man-whore. There’s no way I can ever be okay with it. Not after having gone there myself, only to regret it with every fiber of my being.

Fingers wrap around my bicep before I reach the back door, and I glance over my shoulder to find Kason attached to the hand, keeping me from escaping all over again.

“Phoe, hold on,” he says, drawing me away.

“We’re best friends,” I tell him, not holding on one iota.

His brows clash together. “I know we are.”

“Right, so I was under the impression we’d tell each other everything.”

And as those words leave my mouth, I feel the full weight of their hypocrisy. Especially since I’ve neglected to tell him about the nightIspent with Holden last year.

Confusion and irritation mix in Kason’s expression before he bites out, “We’re not a couple of teenage girls. I don’t need to clear my sex life with you.”

I cannot believe he just said that.

A sharp bark of disbelieving laughter leaves me. “Then, by all means, go get your dick wet. Holden’s a pro by now, so I’m sure it’ll be good. But don’t come crying to me with your morning-after regrets.”

I go to walk away again, but Kason tightens his hold on my arm.

“Can you just hold on for a second?”

“No, Kase,” I snap. “You wanna act like a cool jackass to get laid? Go for it. But don’t sit here and treat me like shit when I’m just looking out for you.”

Kason’s hands raise in clear surrender. “I’m hearing you, but you don’t have all the facts.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Mine, but it’s about to be yours if you don’t shut up and let me fucking talk,” he snaps, a hint of irritation in his voice.

My teeth clamp down on my tongue. “Fine. Then talk.”

“We aren’t sleeping together,” he starts, gauging my reaction. The disbelief must be written clear as day on my face, because he amends. “Okay, wehaven’tslept together.”

“Meaning you’re planning to,” I say, a statement rather than a question. He remains silent, neither confirming nor denying. But his silence speaks louder than words, and I scoff. “Do what you want, Kase. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when he shows his true colors after getting exactly what he wants from you.”

We lock eyes in a stare-down of wills, waiting for the other to back down. But I know what I’m talking about in this situation, so I won’t be the one to concede first.

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