Page 7 of Caught Stealing

“Fine. You’ve made your point,” he mutters with a sigh before glancing longingly over his shoulder at Holden. “Just let me go say goodbye at least, and then we can head home.”

I nod and watch as he heads back over to Holden, the same unsettled, nauseous feeling still rolling around in my gut. Yet I don’t quite understand it. After all, I’m getting what I wanted—though it seems kind of ridiculous to put it that way.

But the feeling is there regardless.

Like a bad omen.

A premonition that this is only the beginning.

Two

Holden

After he finishes his little chat, Kason doesn’t even have to speak for me to know precisely what he’s planning to say. It’s written all over his stupid, handsome face.

I’m going homealonetonight.

Still, I’m not about to let it deter me from being the charming, easy-going guy he’s known for the past few years. Which is why I plaster on a smile as he closes the remaining distance between us.

“Trouble in paradise?”

Some mixture of a wry smirk and pained grimace crosses his face, before he shakes his head. “We’re gonna have to take a raincheck.”

Called it.

“Yeah…” I say, trailing off for a second. “I kinda picked up on the vibe when your bestie pissed all over your leg like a territorial dog the second he walked over here.”

This time, he definitely winces. “I’m sorry about Phoenix. He’s just a little protective. Best friends, you know?”

My attention flicks over his shoulder to where Phoenix is standing, only to find him glaring daggers at me. An action reading lessbest friendand morejealous boyfriend.

I’m not about to point it out, though.

Kason’s been on my radar since he let his interest in guys slip at the beginning of the season. But as much as my interest in him has piqued, I’m not about to fight for his attention—especially if someone like a best friend is involved. I might like getting laid as much as the next guy, but I’m far from fucking desperate.

“Look, Kase,” I start, shifting my gaze back to him, “If you’ve already got something else going on with him, then—”

“With Phoenix?” he interrupts, shock evident in his tone. “Absolutely not. Like I said, we’re just friends, and he’s protective of me. Plus, I think most of the issue is that he’s new to the idea of me dating.”

My brow arches. “We’re dating now? I’m glad to have been included in that discussion.”

A sharp snicker leaves Kason as he rubs the back of his neck, noticeably uncomfortable. “You know what I mean. Seeing people, hanging out with people who aren’t him.”

“The only way he’s gonna get used to it is for it to keep happening,” I point out.

“You’re probably right. Though I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon.”

“Regardless of your bestie’s approval, I don’t think it should stop you from heading back to my place.”

Instantly, the smile turns into a grimace when he glances back at Phoenix. “It’s not that I don’t want to, because I do. It’s just…not tonight.”

Irritation creeps in, though I play it off. “The offer still stands.”

“Good to know,” he says, blowing out a breath.

I can feel the nervous tension radiating off him—how he’s torn between what he wants to do and worried about pissing off Phoenix. It’s not something new, yet I’m surprised by the dynamic in this circumstance. Kason’s never given off the vibe of relenting to anyone.

Then again, ever since we started talking in a more than friendly way, he’s changed a bit. Becoming less self-assured and more of a bumbling fool. A trait I might find endearing if it wasn’t about to end my night without getting laid.

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