Page 16 of Stick Handled

“Give it back,” I plead, stepping closer and stretching my arms across the island. “It’s personal.”

Damien’s playfulness is beginning to feel like more than that. I’ve never gotten so much attention from him before, and I’m starting to feel things I shouldn’t, things I know he’s not feeling. Because that’s who Damien is; he likes to mess around, and there’s nothing more to it.

I expect him to make a sarcastic comment, to tease me mercilessly about the journal, but instead, his smirk fades into something softer. His gaze lingers on me, not mocking but curious. Almost gentle. For a moment, I can’t breathe.

Before I can make sense of the moment, Rowan’s voice breaks the spell. “Let’s go.”

I flinch, startled. Rowan’s standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking polished and composed as always, dressed perfectly for their night out. He walks toward us, his gaze sweeping over me.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Av,” Rowan says, stepping over to me and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You and Sarah enjoy your night. If you need anything, call me, okay?”

“Okay.” I nod, offering a small smile. As much as he hovers, I know it’s only because he cares. His protectiveness, though overwhelming at times, is something I appreciate.

“Promise me you’ll call if you need anything,” Rowan adds, his voice soft.

“I will,” I say, letting some lightheartedness slip into my tone. “We’re just gonna binge-watch trash TV and eat pizza. Nothing too wild.”

“That’s more your speed,” Rowan chuckles, the sound warm and comforting. “Love you.” He presses a kiss to my forehead before turning back.

I glance at Damien, who still has my journal, and pause at the expression on his face. He’s lost in thought, as if he’s contemplating something unpleasant. But he quickly snaps out of it and looks at me.

Ares blurs past us, his boots thudding against the floor as he strides to the front door, but it’s not him I’m focused on.

Damien hands me back the journal, his fingers brushing mine, the contact sending an unexpected thrill through me. His lips curl into that infuriating smirk again.

“See you tomorrow at practice,” he murmurs, his voice low and intimate, just for me.

Before I can even think of what to say, he’s already turning to join Rowan and Ares at the door.

As they leave, Damien looks back one last time, his gaze locking onto mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his eyes before the door closes behind them. I huff out a breath.

This isn’t good.

During my short time here, Damien has managed to make me feel like I’m on the edge of something I shouldn’t be feeling. His playful teasing, the looks, the way he calls me ‘Red’—they all play with my nerves in ways I don’t want.

I know I’m reading too much into it. Guys like Damien don’t look at girls like me that way. He’s just messing around because it’s fun for him. After all, that’s who he is. Confident. Cocky. Playful. He's not into someone bookish and shy. It’s just nerves from being so out of my depth around someone like him. That’s all it is.

I can’t let myself think there’s anything more to it. Besides, I need him for these skating lessons. He’s the only one who can help me get back to where I was. I can’t let my thoughts drift any further into dangerous territory, even though, deep down, I’m afraid it might be a little too late.

Chapter six

~DAMIEN~

The door clicks shut behind me, and I barely register the blonde trailing me, her giggles bouncing off the walls like nails on a chalkboard. I don’t know her name. I don’t even know why I brought her back here. I guess old habits die hard. After every night out, the boys expect me to leave with someone. I guess I do, too. But my mind is elsewhere.

I pour myself a whiskey and walk over to the floor-to-ceiling window in my living room. It overlooks Rowan’s mansion, the same view I’ve had for years, and nothing ever changes—except now, something’s different. That room that’s always been dark is lit up. Avery’s room.

My muscles lock for a second, and then I shift, curiosity pulling me toward the window. I knew I had a clear view of some of the rooms of Rowan’s house, but I’ve never had a reason to look. Until now.

The surprise quickly morphs into something darker knowing I have a clear line of sight.

The lights in her room are soft, with a warm glow over everything inside. She’s in there, completely unaware that I’m watching. My lips part, and my heart rate picks up.Shit.My eyes scan her body, from the bun on her head to the short sleeping set she’s wearing. No bra. She’s moving around, dancing, swaying with a kind of carefree energy that punches me straight in the gut.

How much of that wine has she had?

I sip my drink, but the heat rushing through my veins has nothing to do with the whiskey.

The unsteady sound of heels brings me back to reality as the blonde drunkenly walks over to me, a glass of whiskey in hand. She’s pulled the top of her dress down, her nipples perked atop tits that look more like blown-up balloons. Right. I’d completely forgotten about her. I turn and look back out so she doesn’t see the look on my face.

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