Page 71 of Stick Handled

He lets out a short laugh, shaking his head. “I’m fine, Avery. Drop it, okay?”

I bite my lip, unsure what to say. I know him well enough to know that “fine” never actually means fine. But pushing him won’t get me anywhere, so I let it go.

Rowan stands up suddenly, walking over to the window. He looks out for a long moment, and then he snorts.

“Ah, of course,” he says, his tone laced with something bitter.

“What is it?” I ask, getting up to join him.

He doesn’t answer; he just tilts his head toward the window.

I follow Rowan’s gaze, my heart skipping when I see Damien’s house across the street.

The last thing I expect to see greets me.No.

The blonde girl is there, standing in his doorway, her arms crossed as she tilts her head up to him with a sly smile. Even from here, I can tell she’s dressed to kill. She’s wearing tiny denim shorts that barely cover anything and a cropped tank top that shows off every inch of her toned stomach.

What is she doing here?

Damien is leaning against the frame, his broad shoulders blocking part of the doorway. His arms are crossed, his expression unreadable.

My stomach twists.

The girl says something I can’t hear, stepping closer to him. She laughs silently as I stare in shock.

Did he invite her? What is he doing?

Rowan chuckles beside me.

“Typical,” he says, shaking his head. “Damien’s always got some girl hanging around. You’d think he’d be tired of people after all the press, but I guess the dog needs his bone, right?”

The words hit me like a slap, but I can’t tear my eyes away from the scene in front of me.

Damien shifts slightly, and my heart halts.

For a second, it feels like time stops. His expression changes, his brows furrow, and he opens his mouth, telling her something I can’t hear.

The blonde chooses that exact moment to grab the hem of her tank top and pull it over her head.

The air rushes out of my lungs as her bare skin catches the glow of the porch light. She tosses the tank top aside, leaving her in nothing but the denim shorts.

Damien says something to her again, his lips moving quickly, but I can’t hear it. All I can see is the way she starts running her hands over herself.

A wrecking ball slams into me. I feel like I’m going to be sick.

Damien bends down and sweeps her tank top off the polished wood floor.

“Alright, that’s enough dirty movies for you, kid.” Rowan laughs behind me, pulling me back. “Let’s leave them to enjoy their night.”

It’s enough?

It’s more than enough.

“Yeah,” I mumble, my voice shaking. “I’m… I’m going to call Sarah. Do you mind cleaning up?”

Rowan doesn’t even glance at me.

“Get some rest,” he says, his tone clipped. “You look like you need it.”

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