Page 40 of Vendetta

“Oh my gosh, I knew it! You’ve been acting weird since the games. Tell us everything!” Olivia pushed.

Maybe it was the wine or the fact that I hadn’t felt ready to talk about it with anyone until now, but I told them everything. Both of their smiles had dropped when I explained what happened the first night during the games. I didn’t go into too much detail, only offering a general idea of what Levi and Connor had done. Reliving it was something I didn’t think I would ever want to do.

But I had to remind myself that it could have been so much worse had Cashton not shown up when he did. And I had fought. That alone had allowed me to keep me from breaking down completely, because I had proven to myself that I could be a fighter. I had forced myself to focus on that.

Both of them listened intently, embracing me when I finished.

“I’m so sorry, Lan…” Bexley comforted.

“I’m so glad Cashton got there in time. He really broke their hands with a hammer? That’s hot,” Olivia added.

“Olivia!” Bexley chided, nudging her in the shoulder.

“What? I’m just saying. And the fact that he did it to avenge Landry’s honor? I just need you guys to go ahead and get together. You would make the hottest couple ever. Aside from me and TJ, of course. There’s no doubt in my mind that he must be amazing in bed, I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt to find out!”

My cheeks heated once more. I hadn’t gotten around to that part just yet.

“Well…” I started.

“Oh my gosh, you already slept with him, didn’t you!” Olivia squealed, jumping up and down as she and Bexley burst out laughing.

“I can confirm that he is indeed quite gifted…” I admitted.

“What was it like? Tell us everything!”

I let out a long breath, setting my glass down and turning back to the stovetop.

“It was mind blowing. But it doesn’t change anything, because he’s made it clear that he still hates me. I guess it’s hate-sex more than anything real, you know?”

“Are you crazy? You should see the way that man looks at you when you’re not paying attention. And you can’t deny the way you look at him in return. There’s something there, anyone with a set of functioning eyes can see that,” Olivia argued.

“It’s tense because of us not being able to stand each other. I highly doubt it’s romantic.”

“Yeah, that’s called romantic tension babes. And it’s hot. You’re just both too stubborn to admit it.”

“It’s true,” Bexley chimed in. “Everyone can see it clear as day.”

Were they right? I had to admit that the thought thrilled me. As much as I tried to fight the romantic feelings I had towards Cashton, there was no denying that they were there. But as quickly as it had appeared, the thrill slowly faded as I realized that I couldn’t ever picture there being a day where Cashton Astor didn’t hate my guts.

CHAPTER 20

CASHTON

Neither Kaptan nor Zayn had been able to meet me at the gym tonight. Kaptan had gone back home to meet with his father, and who knew where Zayn was. He had a tendency to disappear at times.

It had begun pouring rain halfway through my workout, the downpour loud as it wracked against the wall of windows, nearly drowning out the music with its vigor.

It was already dark once I wrapped up my exercises, the number of bodies in the gym having dwindled down to a small handful. It was a weeknight, after all, and the place typically cleared out pretty early.

Freshly showered, I made my way into the still pouring rain, pulling my hood up as I slipped into my Chevelle. I had just rounded the corner when I noticed a figure walking through the parking lot of the animal shelter, arms wrapped tightly aroundherself and the hood of her white jacket pulled up over her soaked blonde hair.

She hit the sidewalk, making her way down the side of the road I had just pulled onto. Pulling up next to her, I rolled down my window, attempting to yell over the sound of my engine and the beating rain.

“Why the hell are you out walking in the rain? Are you nuts?”

Landry startled, clearly not having noticed me pull up alongside her. She had gotten abducted just a few weeks ago, you would think she would have enough common sense to be aware of her surroundings for crying out loud.

“Go away, Cashton!” she yelled, turning back and continuing in the direction she was heading.

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