Page 24 of Sweet Heat

This isn’t over. You can run, but I won’t let you hide.

The words seem ominous. Or promising?

Lifting my legs to my chest, I curl in on myself, unable to process the conflicting feelings battling for dominance inside me.

Thank goodness I don’t have a test. I would fail for sure.

Chapter Thirteen

“Sooooo. Spill. How did the driving lesson go?” Mari asks, bringing a thick, gooey slice of pepperoni pizza to her lips. Her teeth flash viciously as she bites into it, and Emma hums in agreement, sliding onto the floor next to her before reaching for her piece.

“It was fine,” I mutter, toying with the rip in the knee of my jeans, wondering how it got there. There’s a lengthy pause, and Emma wads up a napkin before tossing it at me. I bat the thing out of the air and send it back toward her, but it lands on the pizza box instead, making her snicker.

“I’m not buying that in the least.” She narrows her eyes, pinning me with a soul-stealing stare that has me ready to spill my guts. I can never get away with lying to her. She knows me fartoo well. Mari will leave things alone and let me ponder them in my own time, but Emma is a wrecking ball.

We can tiptoe around the issue, but ultimately, there are no secrets between best friends. With a sigh, I go ahead and tell them about everything from the disastrous driving lesson to Miller swooping in. I keep the kiss to myself, though—some things should be just for me, and I’m not ready to unpack how much the rejection stung.

Shake it off, Posie.

“Fucking birds just had it out for you,” Emma mutters, raging on my behalf. I nod in agreement—birds are the worst.

“But I don’t get how Miller was even there…” Mari remarks, her fingers brushing across her mouth. And it’s like a bomb goes off in my brain because I was so caught up in the moment I never even stopped to consider that.

“W-what did you say?” I ask, mind reeling.

“Well, you said it was a random remote street, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know. It just seems unlikely that he would happen by a quiet side street. And how did he know you were in the car?” she continues, making my thoughts whirl.

“You’re right. That is super strange. Owen called and said something about him missing practice.” Every word only makes me more confused.

“Maybe he’s stalking you,” Emma jokes, grabbing another slice from the box. Though I know it’s said in jest, her words make heat crawl under my skin once again. My core slicks at the thought of Miller lurking in the shadows, caring enough about my safety to follow me and watch from afar.

“I think someone likes that idea,” Mari says with a grin, and I can’t help the telltale blush that reddens my face.

There’s no way my brother’s best friend is stalking me… right?

“Maybe,” I admit with a snort as we all fall into uninhibited giggles. All the stress of the day melts away, and I’m reminded once again of why I want to be able to drive. Living here with my girls will be worth it.

With my resolve strengthened, I reach for my phone, ready to text the driving school to set up another lesson—if they’re willing to have me back—when it rings.

A thrill runs through me, hoping it’s Miller, but disappointment slaps me in the face when I see a completely different name.

“What’s wrong? You look like you tasted something bad,” Mari asks, and Emma doesn’t bother to wait for my answer as she pulls the phone right from my hand.

“Oh, Alex. The cute Alpha whose dad owns the driving school! Should we answer?” Emma waits for me, and I’m struck with indecision. On the one hand, he’s been very nice to me, but on the other, he doesn’t make my pulse race and my heart flutter like Miller does.

“He asked me on a date earlier today,” I confess.

“And does our pretty Posie want to go out with him?” Emma croons, and I shrug. With the stirrings of my heat on the horizon, I know options are important. Having a heat, especially an unmedicated one, without an Alpha to help ease the pain can be excruciating. I know I had the standard transitional spike when I presented after the accident, but I don’t remember it. All I remember is waking up on a hospital bed in pain.

Alex might be my only option if it happens soon. But I can’t imagine anyone but Miller touching me.

Miller, who kissed you out of pity to calm you down. Do you want him to fuck you out of pity, too?

Fuck. The thought nearly takes my breath away. Breathing in deeply, I give Emma the nod.

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