Page 27 of Dirty Little Mistake

"So you do too?"

"No." She shook her head. "I've thought about this all day, and even if you were willing to commit to only me, I think we're just not on the same planet right now. I want marriage and kids. I respect that you don't, but that means you're not my person."

A sharp pain singed my chest. She was saying goodbye.

"I don't think it should be this hard."

"Hard?" My brows pulled together.

"There has to be someone out there that wants the same things we want that we have as much chemistry with or more."

"And you think Owen is that person?"

She raised her shoulders. "I don't know," she pressed her lips into a tight line as her eyes met mine, "but I'm willing to find out."

"If I walk away..." It was an empty threat.

"You should probably go," she cut me off, stopping me from saying something we both knew was a lie. "Maybe I'll see you at Rockfest."

She pulled open the door and flashed me a sad smile before disappearing inside.

"Fuck," I grunted. I never wanted marriage. I never wanted kids. I never wanted commitment until right now. I never wanted any of it because I'd never met the right girl, but I knew without a doubt that Cam was that girl. This couldn't have happened at a worse time. I was leaving soon.

I knew I should go. Everything inside me was telling me to walk away and move on, but I couldn't. I jerked open the bar door and pushed my way back to the bar, but this time, Cam and Owen weren't there. Searching the crowd, I spotted them dancing on the dance floor. If she knew I'd come back in, she didn't let it show. He had all her attention.

"Not you, too," Kaia grumbled, sliding onto a bar stool. "Seriously, you and Jax need to get your shit together." She flashed her friend an apologetic smile, and I assumed this had less to do with me and more to do with my brother.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered.

"Yeah, funny, neither did Jax." She didn't bother to hide the sarcasm in her words. "Parker, do you want to get out of here?" My gaze shifted to the man sitting beside her. I'd never met Parker before, but I had already decided I didn't really like him. She shoved her chair in as my gaze shifted back to Cam and Owen. "I'll meet you at the car."

I inwardly groaned. For some reason, I didn't want Kaia to leave with him.

"Trystan." My gaze met hers. "Get. Your. Shit. Together. Or go the fuck home." My brows pulled together, trying to feignconfusion, but I knew exactly what she was saying. "Make her your girlfriend or leave her alone. You can't have it both ways."

"I can't," I said on a heavy exhale.

"Why not? Why do you and your brother have the same commitment issues?"

My lip curled into a smile. "I don't have commitment issues, Kai," I lied, knowing I was just as fucked up as Jax. "I'm just not ready to settle down, and I don't want to end up hurting her." My gaze shifted back to Cam. "I was going to tell everyone tomorrow, but the band got a spot at Rockfest, and then we will be touring with Wicked Sinners as their opening act for the following eight weeks."

"Oh my God, Trystan," she squealed. "That's amazing."

"Since she has too much going on here and she can't go with me, it wouldn't be fair for me to tie her down, especially when we both know that in the back of her head, she'll be wondering if I'm being faithful."

Her gaze shifted to Cam. "Fair enough." She forced a smile. "So you told her she could date other people, but that's not what you want, is it?"

I shook my head. "No. I want to rip out his throat."

"Come on, Tryst. Don't sit here and torture yourself."

I nodded, sliding out of my seat. "Can I give you a ride home?"

"I came with Parker."

"Okay, let me rephrase that. Will you ride home with me?"

Blowing out a sigh, she nodded. "Yeah, give me a second to let Parker know, and I'll meet you at your truck."

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