Page 56 of Cold Hard Truth

I spent years trying to erase the feeling of her off me. Trying to forget that being with Lyla was the last time I felt anything close to good. I don’t know if she realizes she ruined me because I waited for her well beyond what was considered normal for a guy in their early twenties before finally giving up and trying to move on.

I gave her the last good part of me and then she fucking left. And I’ve spent years trying to replace that feeling. Even if nothing comes close.

I hate her, and at the same time, I don’t blame her. She was always too good for the club and way too good for me.

It’s something I had to remind myself when I walked into the kitchen this morning and saw her all grown up in a paper-thin T-shirt that showed off the full length of her legs. She was always pretty, but now she’s the fucking apple in Eden.

I might hate her for scorching my heart to ashes, but it doesn’t mean I can’t still imagine sinking my teeth into her soft flesh. What I wouldn’t give to hear her moan for me again.

Dropping into my chair in the office, I lean back and drag my hands down my face. It was so much easier thinking I’d never see her again. It was easier believing fate didn’t actually exist.

That girl is a master at making me question everything.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re sitting here waiting for me like my own personal stalker?”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jude smirks. “Why? Worried? After all, you had so many questions when Fel first showed back up. You scared I’m going to ask you how you’re feeling now that the girl who broke you is back in town?”

“She didn’t break me.”

Jude leans forward. “You sure about that? Because the guy you were before she left, and the guy who decided not to patch in are total fucking opposites.”

“You didn’t seem to mind.” I glare at him. “I remember you being fucking pleased I was a better wingman.”

“It was better than letting you wallow.”

“I wasn’t wallowing.”

“Sage—”

“Let it go, Jude.” I shake my head. “It’s the fucking past. I’m just doing Kane a favor.”

“She’s staying at your apartment.”

“So?”

Jude stares me down, looking like he’s about to make me face everything I don’t want to when Crew comes in.

“Kane’s daughter?” Crew laughs, walking into the office and dropping onto the couch. “Did you finally realize you have a problem fucking front desk girls, so you put someone up there who you can’t fuck without getting your dick chopped off?”

“It’s not like that.”Anymore.

Been there, done that. Should have been six feet under years ago.

Crew scratches his tattooed neck and grins at me like he’s not believing a word out of my mouth.

“Go easy on him.” Echo drops into Crew’s lap, and he wraps his arms around her. “I like her. And I think I’m not the only one.”

Echo winks at me and smiles so big it brightens the whole room. Her half-black half-blonde hair is tied up in a ponytail and it bounces around with her excitement.Crew looks up at her like he’s making a wish and she’s the only one who can grant it. And I can’t figure out how he spent so long in denial about what was right in front of him. Because it was obvious he was obsessed from the moment those two started working together. And now they’ve finally admitted it to themselves and each other.

I don’t know what it’s like to feel that kind of contentment—to be that at ease about anything. But for the first time in my life, I might be a little jealous.

“Wait.” Echo’s eyes widen as she looks at me. “What was that?”

“What was what?”

“That face. You just thought something when Crew looked at me.” She smiles, popping a bubble with her gum, being way too observant. “What exactly is your history with that girl?”

“She’s Kane’s daughter.” I shrug. “We practically grew up together.”

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