Page 19 of Never Your Girl

So what’s your deal, Cold? Do you use sarcasm to hide your deep-seated insecurities, or is it just a hobby?

ColdAsIce17

Bold of you to assume I’m not just naturally gifted at deflection.

FragileLikeABomb

Impressive. But deflect all you want, I’ll crack you eventually.

ColdAsIce17

Bold of you to assume I’m crackable.

FragileLikeABomb

Everyone’s crackable. It’s just a matter of time and effort.

ColdAsIce17

Sounds like a motivational poster. “Determination: Break people emotionally.”

FragileLikeABomb

Exactly. That’ll be my TED Talk title.

ColdAsIce17

Sign me up. Front row seat.

FragileLikeABomb

Careful, Cold. I might start thinking you’re a fan.

ColdAsIce17

Not a fan, just… intrigued.

6

Bridger

By the time I reach the house, my mind is still tangled up in Holland Tate. No matter how hard I try, I can’t shake the memory of that kiss. The heat of it, the way she looked at me with fire in her eyes one second and ice the next. No one else on the planet crawls under my skin the way that girl does.

As much as I hate it, a sick part of me enjoyed every second of it.

The usual chaos greets me when I step inside our house. Maverick and Hayes are tossing a football across the living room while Ryder and Riggs are battling it out on Madden.

Steele emerges from the kitchen with a beer in hand. Concern flashes in his eyes as soon as he spots me. “I take it you saw the latest message?”

I drag a hand through my hair. “Unfortunately.”

He winces. “Sorry. That was harsh. How are you holding up?”

“Couldn’t be better.” I pull out my phone and scroll through the familiar thread of messages, looking for clues as to who’s behind them. “It doesn’t mean a damn thing, right?”

He levels me with a hard look. “Bro. Stop blowing smoke up my ass.”

Yeah, I didn’t think he’d buy it.

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