Page 111 of The Chase

“What the hell is going on, Fitz? Because it kinda feels like this is you wanting to have your cake and eat it too. We hooked up, and then you pushed me away. You don’t get to make demands now about who I go out with—I owe you nothing. You had your chance.”

“I know,” he finally says, sounding as confused as I feel.

Clearly when he stormed into my room, he didn’t have a damn thing rehearsed other than “don’t go with Hunter.” Well, that’s not enough for me.

“I know I messed up.” Remorse swims in his eyes. “Avoiding you after what happened in the locker room was so fucking stupid. And selfish.”

“No kidding.”

“I’m sorry for that,” he says hoarsely. “I really am. And I’m not trying to have my cake and eat it too. Or at least I’m not doing it intentionally. All I know is that I feel sick about the thought of you going out with him tonight.”

I wait for him to elaborate. As usual, he doesn’t.

“Then tell me why I should stay here, Fitz! And don’tsay it’s because you’re hard twenty-four-seven because of me. We can’t hook up anymore, okay? I’m not interested in a fling with you. I get the feeling you don’t do flings, anyway.”

“I don’t,” he says hoarsely.

“Then what is this?” Frazzled, I gesture between us. “Why shouldn’t I date Hunter?”

“I’m not saying you can’t.”

“You’re not saying anything at all!” I remember the open door and quickly lower my voice. “What do youwant, Colin? Just tell me how you feel.”

We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity. I can’t pick out a single emotion in his expression. He’s so good at that, placing a veil over his eyes. He guards his thoughts and emotions with the dedication of a Secret Service agent. Hell, he’d probably rather take a bullet than show anyone what he’s feeling.

And whether he means to or not, he’s playing games with me. I like games—the ones you play at parties, with friends. When it comes to my love life, I’m not interested in having to guess what the other person is feeling or thinking.

“I have to go,” I mutter.

He makes a frustrated noise under his breath. “Summer.”

But I’m already marching out the door.

And he doesn’t stop me.

__________

Needless to say, I’m more than a little distracted when Hunter pulls out my chair at the nicest restaurant in Hastings. It’s called Ferro’s, and it comes highly recommended by both Allieand a friend of hers, Grace Ivers. Grace is Logan’s girlfriend, and apparently they eat at Ferro’s all the time.

I can’t deny that Hunter looks hot tonight. His tight ass fills a pair of trousers very, very nicely, and he recently got his hair buzzed. I prefer shorter hair on guys.

While I check him out, he’s doing the same to me. His sultry gaze admires me from across the table. “That’s a great dress, Blondie.”

I manage a smile. “Thanks.” Can he tell that I’m preoccupied? Or worse, can he tell I’m upset? Because I am. I’m still so shaken from that encounter with Fitz.

Why couldn’t he just tell me how he felt? Why do I have to pry the details out of him like I’m trying to extract a splinter from under my fingernail? Talking to Fitz is painful and frustrating and I don’t fucking understand him.

I don’t even notice the waiter coming by to take our drink order until Hunter says, “Summer? Vodka cran?”

I hastily shake my head. “Water for now,” I tell the waiter. After he leaves, I explain my choice to Hunter. “I haven’t eaten in hours. I don’t like to drink on an empty stomach.”

“Yeah. Makes sense.” He watches as I unroll my napkin.

It’s a fancy cloth one, and my hands tremble slightly as I smooth it over my lap.

A crease lines his forehead. “What’s wrong?”

I swallow. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just been a long, somewhat crappy day.”

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