Page 41 of Made For Ruin

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. It’s about time you had someone in your life besides me, Reign, and the bears out back.”

Something in my chest tightens at his words.

“Thanks, son. That means a lot.”

He nods, a flicker of understanding passing between us. For a moment, it feels like we’re actually connecting, like we’re finally on the same page after all these years of missed signals and crossed wires.

“Well, I better get going. Got a lot of practicing to do before this audition.”

“Good luck.” I push off the counter, walking him to the door. “Let me know how it goes.”

“Will do.” He pauses on the threshold, guitar case in hand. “And hey, maybe next time I’m over, you can introduce me to this mystery woman of yours.”

I force a chuckle, trying to ignore the sudden knot in my stomach. “We’ll see.”

With a final wave, he heads down the steps and back to his Jeep. I watch him go, one hand braced against the doorframe.

As he pulls away, I can’t help but feel like something has shifted between us. Like maybe we’re finally starting to find our way back to each other.

But then I think about Lainey, about the way she feels in my arms, the way she looks at me like I’m the only man in the world.

And I know that if Axel ever found out about us, it would shatter whatever fragile peace we’ve managed to build.

By some miracle,I manage to make it through the rest of the day without completely losing my mind.

The hours drag, each one feeling twice as long as it should. I keep finding myself staring at my phone, willing it to ring, to buzz, to give me some sign that she’s thinking about me, too.

But all day, it stays stubbornly silent.

I’ve never been like this before—obsessed, restless, impatient. By the time I finally pull up to Lainey’s apartment, my hands are gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles are white.

I take a deep breath as I step out of my truck, trying to shake off the tension that’s been building all day. Just as I’m raising my hand to knock, the door to her apartment swings open, and there she is.

That blue dress molds to her body like a second skin, showing off curves that make my mouth water. Her hair falls loose around her shoulders, and she’s added something to her lips that makes them shine.

Her voice carries a teasing lilt as she smiles up at me. “Hey, handsome.”

“Evening, gorgeous.” I close the distance between us, drawn to the way she practically glows. “Trying to kill me with that dress?”

“Maybe.” She peers up at me through her lashes. That innocent look, combined with the wicked curve of her smile, makes my blood burn. “Is it working?”

“Definitely.”

I can’t resist pulling her close for a kiss. I try to keep it quick and appropriate for a parking lot. But she melts against me with a soft sound that tests my control.

When I pull back, her lips are slightly swollen, her eyes hazy with want.

“Get in the truck before I forget we have dinner plans.” I open the door, helping her up into the cab.

I shut her door and walk around to the driver’s side, taking a deep breath to steady myself. As I slide behind the wheel, I catch Lainey watching me, her eyes dark with desire.

“So, where are we going?” she asks, her voice husky.

I start the engine, a slow grin spreading across my face. “It’s a surprise.”

We drive in comfortable silence, the tension between us electric. Every so often, I feel Lainey’s eyes on me, and it takes all my willpower not to pull over and take her right there on the side of the road.

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