Page 130 of Untraced Magic
At that moment, my attention moved to the two guys sparring in the middle of the room, both good-looking in their own way. One, heavier built than the other, landed on the ground with athumpafter having backwards-cap guy kick his feet out from beneath him.
I studied the blond guy on the ground, the bulkier of the two.
Holy crap, was that Colton?
The room erupted in both energy and laughter, high fives and middle fingers flying. I smiled at the testosterone edging their competitive sides.
I eyed the guys closely. “Where is Wesley anyway?” My gaze flicked from one person to the next, not seeing anyone familiar. “I haven’t seen him in...” I stopped short, unable to finish my sentence. I instinctively folded my arms around myself.
Scar gave me a sympathetic look, because she and Tyler were the only ones that knew why I really left Cutters Cove all those years ago.
She wrapped a hand around my shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze before her sparkled with mischief. “You’re in for a treat where Wes is concerned.”
A deep voice suddenly drew my attention, Colton’s voice lifting above the others. “Ty, get out there. Last time I looked, you were getting rusty.”
A laugh boomed from the corner of the room in response, and I followed the voice to a guy I hadn’t noticed before. Behind a makeshift bar, he had his back to me.
He turned, casually scanning the room.
My stomachhollowed.A tremor of emotion lodged in my throat.
When his eyes found mine, an emerald avalanche crashed over me, my chest constricting tightly, my fingertips suddenly numb. I pressed my thumb against each one, attempting to force feeling back into them, but it was no use.
Familiar green irises stared back at me, so intensely I grabbed at the door frame to keep me upright, frightened my knees would buckle if I let go.
My internal dialogue screamed at me. Holy fucking fucks.Wesley.
Knowing I would see him was one thing. But actuallyseeinghim pulled uncomfortable feelings to the surface. Ones I suddenly wasn’t ready to face.
I retreated backwards as if my footsteps could yank me from reality, but with every step I took away from him, he closed the gap between us with his own.
Like a tether I could not break.
A magnet I could not repel.
My attention sprang to Scar, who darted a look between the two of us.
The green avalanche spoke. “Skye?”
Shock pinned me in place, its grip on me relentless.
As he approached even closer, my stomach flipped over. I was convinced I would throw up. Pass out even.
“Hey,” I stammered, barely a whisper.
I turned to Scar for help, but she backed away, giving us space.
When I turned my attention to Wesley again, his stare deepened, haunted eyes quickly disguised by something else.
He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “What, you don’t recognize me now I’m all grown up?”
Of course I recognized him. How could I not?
My gaze flew over him, both horror and heat settling inside me, curling my stomach into a hot mess. I was staring atWesley,my childhood friend who I’d grown up with making huts, exploring caves, and riding our bikes around until the streetlights turned on.
His words suddenly registered.
Grown upwas putting it lightly.
