Page 20 of Chasing Wild Heart

"Mom! We're just fucking around!" I blurt out, halting her parade of ideas. "She's just a good time."

"Dashwood!" I imagine she's covering her heart with her hand again and frowning at the idea her "baby boy" is some sort of heartless playboy.

"We're having a good time," I clarify, my voice softer. "This isn't serious. Neither of us are looking for anything more."

"But it could be," my mom insists. "If only-"

"You're not listening," I breathe out frustratingly. "I don't want to be with her like you want. I'm not looking for drama or commitment right now. I have too much going on to even think about another person."

"I just want you to be happy, Dash," she whispers sadly, sending a sharp pang to my heart.

"I know, Mom." My eyes land on the clock on the dashboard. "I'll talk to you later, okay? I gotta go. Love you."

"Love you, too."

I scrub a hand down my face and exhale deeply before glimpsing out the window. My already pounding heart unexpectedly plummets when my eyes land on Juni leaning against the passenger side door of her car. Her arms tightly folded across her chest. Her beautifully plump lips flattened. Her dark eyes are definitely not burning with desire.

Shit.How did I not notice her parking beside me?

“Juni,” I start nervously, carefully opening the door.

“Go home, Dash,” she snaps, pushing herself off the car, and speeds toward the front of the building.

“Wait!” I scramble out of my car, slamming the door shut, and chase after her. “Let me explain.”

She whirls around, the soft clank of her keys sound when she waves an arm around. “What’s there to explain? I think the entire neighborhood heard you loud and clear.”

“So, you’re upset everyone knows we’re just fucking around?”

Her mouth drop opens, and her eyes blaze with fury and bitterness. “If you honestly believe that’s what I’m mad about, then go home.”

“Then tell me,” I beg, following her into the tiny entryway and up the stairs. “Why are you mad when we’re not even in a relationship? Are you mad because you want more?”

Her stomps halt suddenly before she pivots to glare at me. “Are you fucking serious, Dash? You honestly can’t be this stupid.”

I swallow hard, tamping down my anger at her “stupid” comment. “I’m not a mind reader.”

“So, according to you, I can’t ever be mad at you because we’re not in a relationship?”

Well, that doesn’t sound quite right. Is she twisting my words?

My mind tries to replay the exact sentence when Juni pushes on. “Have I ever,evergiven you the impression that I want more than what we’ve been doing?”

Uh, not really.

Not once has she ever said, “Hey, we need to talk.” Or even ask to define what we’ve been doing. Or what she means to me.

“So, why do you thinkIwant more?” she demands.

Don’t say it,my mind scream frantically.Don’t say it!

My shoulders lift slightly with an overwhelming weight of shame as my reply.

While I might not be a card-carrying feminist like my sisters, I’ve always believed they should be treated equally in every aspect. To think Juni secretly wants more because she’s a woman shows me I’m an ignorant asshole.

“Blargh!” Juni turns to resume stomping up the stairs as I barely catch muttered words “misogynist pig” and “emotions”.

Even out of context, I know she’s not wrong.

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