Page 76 of Filthiest Of Them All

She waggles her brows and backs away toward where Vox and the other guys stand. “Does he know you’ve friend zoned him?” she fires back. I roll my eyes and turn toward Janet who squeals and rushes across the sand toward her boyfriend Kyle. Nova bumps her shoulder into mine, drawing my focus to her.

“There is no time frame on healing. Dawson is great…” When I sigh, she smiles and shakes her head. Vox suddenly appears behind her and wraps his arms around her waist. She melts into him instantly and jealousy rears its ugly head inside me. “What I was going to say is, Dawson is a great guy but he isn’t Alex.” My mouth parts in a silent gasp. “I get it, truly I do. He doesn’t have that aura of darkness that clings to your man effortlessly. But, what I will say is, I really like Dawson and he's a great friend. Don’t invest your time in him unless you are truly over Alex because I would hate to see him get hurt.”

“Witch, I’ve had enough of hearing you talk about other guys,” Vox growls, then drags Nova away. The sound of her laughter brings a smile to my face. That smile slowly fades when Dawson appears in front of me. I feel guilty because Dawson is freaking handsome and any girl would be lucky to have a guy like him, but he just isn’t the guy for me.

“Something on your mind?” he asks.

I nibble on my bottom lip and debate how to answer that question. “Dawson, are we friends?” He frowns and nods cautiously.

“I’d like to think so,” he says skeptically.

“I want us to stay that way…” Nerves thrum through me, this is the very reason I didn’t want to come tonight, because I knew he would find me and I would have to try to find a way to dodge his request to go for coffee or something. It surprises me when he smiles wide and slings his arm over my shoulders and draws me into his side.

“No offense, Tate. I really like you and everything and I’m sorry if I came off as wanting to date you, but I was genuinely just trying to be friendly because you always look so freaking sad.” My mouth parts and I balk up at him. He rolls his lips over his teeth to keep from laughing. Shame washes over me. I bury my face in my hands as his laughter booms out of him and I wish a tidal wave would come and wash me away.

“I’m so sorry,” I mumble into my hands.

“I swear, I’m totally good with being friend zoned.” The humor is clear in his tone and I want to facepalm myself but refrain.

“Okay, well, now that we have that sorted, I’m gonna go die of shame in my dorm.” I turn to flee, only for Dawson to catch up to me a couple of steps later. “Let me die alone please,” I beg.

He just laughs and throws his arm around my shoulders. “Never. I’m gonna walk you back to your dorm.”

“No you don’t have to,” I say as we reach the sidewalk that is shrouded in shadows from the trees. The street lamps afford us enough light to see our way until we reach the main street near campus.

“Yes, I do,” he counters.

“No, you don’t.” I slam to a halt at the sound of the voice. I feel Dawson tense beside me as we both stand here watching as a shadow materializes from behind the trees, my breath hitches at the sight and my knees go weak. Dawson instinctively shifts his hold and wraps his arm around my waist to keep me from falling into a heap. His green eyes shine with rage as he stares at Dawson’s arm around me. I guess it doesn't help that I'm standing here in a bikini top and denim cut offs. His gaze takes in the sight of the ink across my collarbone and I scold myself internally for leaving that exposed.

“We don’t want any trouble?—”

He cuts Dawson off before he can finish. “Then I suggest you turn the fuck around and go back to your party,” he snarls in a tone laced with venom.

Dawson’s grip on me tightens. I try to get my mouth to work but no words come out. “Yeah, I’m not leaving her here with you, asshole.”

When he takes a step toward us I tense. I know what’s going to happen if I can’t get myself under control. He’ll kill Dawson and I can’t let that happen. When he’s mere feet from us I manage to pull free of Dawson’s hold and cut in front of him just in time to place my hand against his chest, stopping him from reaching my friend. His eyes blaze at the feeling of my hand on him and has lava filling my veins, having him this close again.

“Tatum, get out of here,” Dawson growls.

“Dawson!” At the sound of Vox’s voice I look to the side to see him, Ezekiel, Nova, Vivian, Hayze and Archer rushing toward us. Both the girls look shocked to see Alexander standing before me but not the guys. I narrow my eyes when they come to a stop near us. Archer at least has the decency to look guilty when he meets my accusing stare.

“You guys knew he was here,” I whisper, hurt lacing my words and the four guys all nod. I scoff, then tear my gaze from them to meet those green eyes I have been dreaming about for months. I can see so many emotions swirling in the depths of his eyes, but I ignore them. I can’t handle that right now. “Six months,” I say quietly. He exhales and implores me with his eyes not to push him away. “I searched for you, I tried to find you. I flew to Denver.”

“I know,” he says brokenly.

“Don’t speak,” I snap. He clamps his mouth closed instantly, tears blur my vision as all the pain I have repressed for six months rushes to the surface, threatening to break me. “You left me. You turned your fucking back on me and now you decide you want to come back?” I shout, unable to control my rising emotions. “Fuck you, Alexander Denver, I hate you,” I snap, then shove against his chest. The asshole doesn't budge. “You son of a bitch!” I scream as my tears fall and I pound my fists against his chest. He allows me to continue to hit him and scream at him without doing a damn thing.

“Touch her and I’ll snap your fucking neck,” Alex sneers. I snap out of my haze and turn to see Dawson frowning at him. Ez reaches out and grabs his arm, pulling him away from me.

“Don’t fucking hurt her,” Hayze snaps at Alex.

“Wait, I’m not leaving her,” Nova says.

“Me either,” Vivian adds. I attempt to move toward my friends but Alex grabs my arm, halting me. Without thought I whirl around and slap him. His eyes blaze. I give him an ‘I don’t give a fuck’ glare.

“Get your fucking hands off me, you son of a bitch,” I scream.

“Stop calling my mom a bitch!” he snaps. My nostrils flare and his upper lip pulls back in a snarl.

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