Page 35 of Unmask
Confusion flashed across his face.
“Kenny,” I said. “She has feelings for you.”
His face twisted in confusion. “What are you talking about? Kenny doesn’t?—”
I shook my head slowly. “She does. I’d know. She’s told me.”
The heaviness of it landed between us, a fault line cracking open. Carson leaned back, as if the truth had shoved him there, his hand raking through his hair as if he needed something to hold on to, but everything was slipping.
I stood frozen in the silence that followed, watching my best friend splinter in real time because no matter what path I chose…someone was always going to end up hurt.
9
KREED
The burn of whiskey hit the back of my throat, but it didn’t do shit to quiet the war in my chest. I sat hunched at the end of the bar, elbows on the scratched wood, half-empty glass in one hand as if it were the only thing keeping me sane. I’d started my day here. Seemed only right I ended it here, too. Full circle in the worst way possible.
I could still see Kaylor in Carson’s arms, her fingers tangled in his shirt like she needed him. Like he was her safe place.
I didn’t think. I didn’t breathe. I saw red, and the next thing I knew, my fist was in motion and Carson’s mouth was split open.
I’d hit him. Her best friend, and I hated myself for how right it had felt. It was second nature to rely on my fists.
“Word is you had a little altercation with the best friend,” Raine drawled, sliding onto the stool beside mine. His leather jacket creaked as he leaned forward, elbows on the counter to signal the bartender. That lazy grin tugged at his lips, the one that always made me want to land a punch just to wipe it clean off his face.
Running a finger over the rim of my glass, I stared at the amber liquid. “If the twins sent you here to come get me, you can see yourself out.”
He let out a low whistle, reaching over the bar for a half-melted ice cube and popping it in his mouth. “Well, someone needs to babysit your sorry ass. Honestly, though, I’m surprised it’s you. Not sitting in the corner like some exiled prince, but jealousy? That’s usually Maddox’s lane.”
I downed the last of my whiskey in one drag, the burn barely registering. “I’m having a moment,” I muttered, glaring at the empty glass.
Raine raised a brow. “Getting wasted every day won’t win her back.”
I stiffened. “Why the fuck would I want her back?” I hissed.
He didn’t back down, just tilted his head and smiled wider. “Then you won’t mind if I shoot my shot?”
I was out of the stool before his last word hit the air. My fist flew, landing with a sick crack against his jaw. Raine stumbled back a step, hand flying to his face, blinking like he hadn’t quite expected me to move that fast. “You done?” he growled.
Every nerve still hummed inside me from the hit.
Raine straightened, working his jaw with a wince. “That’s what I thought. If just hearing me say her name sets you off, maybe stop pretending you don’t have feelings for her. You do. We both know it.”
“Fuck. Off.”
“Still got a hell of a right hook,” he muttered, rubbing his chin. “Though you might want to work on your impulse control, Romeo.”
I sat back on the stool, my blood still rushing through my veins. “Keep pushing me and you’ll lose more than your pride, old man.”
“Old man?” Raine laughed under his breath. “Ha. I can still take you. Besides, you’re the one unhinged. So dramatic.”
I ran a hand down my face, the stress pressing into my skull. The anger was already burning out, leaving only the ache. “I need to see her.”
“You’re not driving,” he said immediately, already anticipating the next fight.
“Then get out of my way.” I shot him a look. “I’ll walk.”
He sighed, grabbing his keys and tossing them in the air. “You’re lucky I’m in a charitable mood. But you owe me. Gas, emotional trauma, dental work…”
