Page 113 of Hate So Deep

Chapter 42

NOW

Lauren

For the next week, I hide away, trying to ignore the fact that I’m probably about to be arrested and for the life of me I can’t remember enough of the events to defend myself or confess my guilt.

I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve been wallowing in my own misery, which is why when Ramie and Finn suggest we hang out, I say yes.

Since I’ve already been to Ramie’s house, it’s not hard to retrace my steps but when I pull into the drive, I’m confused by the series of cars parked out front.

No one mentioned a party and I can’t say I’m much for good company but I’m already here so I suck it up and knock on the door.

For me, this is an escape from everything rolling through my brain but safer than going somewhere I can’t trust my surroundings or the people who might be waiting to jump me.

I can’t even begin to process the fact that these are considerations I have to make.

Gah.

Ramie greets me at the door with a wide smile, but I falter when I see Dirk amongst the crowd standing next to a pretty blonde with curves for days.

Did she come with him?

Just a few days ago, he held me in his arms while I cried about my shitty life and now this?

What does it mean?

“Sorry,” Ramie says. “I invited her.”

She winces for good measure, but I don’t blame Ramie for her presence. If Dirk didn’t want someone around, she wouldn’t be.

He’s not shy about banning people from parties.

Dick.

Mustering a smile, I comply when she grabs my arm and says, “C’mon, I have someone I want you to meet.”

She leads me toward the kitchen where Finn’s making a drink and I wave when she says, “Lala!”

Beside her, a guy turns and blinks his bright blue eyes in my direction before he pulls up a charming grin.

“Hey Lala, I’m Tom,” he says.

“Uh, yeah. Hey, Tom.”

Although he’s tall, built nicely and has a few interesting tattoos peeking from the collar of his shirt, he doesn’t compare to the brutal sexuality Dirk exudes without thought.

However, I’m not going to think about Dirk right now or fucking ever, I decide as Tom hands me a drink.

“What did I miss?” Hayden yells from the door and Ramie rolls her eyes.

Meanwhile Colt makes a beeline for Finn, grabbing her up as soon as she’s within reach to give her a smoldering kiss that would be obscene if she didn’t smack his ass to bring him back to the moment.

After which, she turns to me, her cheeks flushed a pretty pink hue and says, fanning her face, “Sometimes your brother can be such a caveman.”

What is this weird burning sensation in my chest? Surely, it’s not jealousy. Nope, I will not envy Colt. No fucking way. No how.

Looking away, I meet Dirk’s stare and my heart thumps painfully when he smirks, the wicked affectation sending my pulse into overdrive.

---