Page 74 of Midnights
It’s gone as fast as it came, but my stomach still knots.No. That can’t be right. What the hell would she be scared of?
A slow, simmering rage starts to rise in my chest, the kind that makes me want to drive straight to his place and tell him exactly how I feel about him.God, I hate that she looks like this because of him.
I force my voice to stay light. “Sounds like he’s being a jealous, insecure little bitch. Again.” I try to watch her for any type of reaction, but she stays quiet. “I also want you to know that I’m about one comment away from burning his house down.”
Her lips twitch, but the smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “No need for arson… yet.”
We spend the next hour lounging in bed, dismantling every flaw and disappointment Bobby has thrown her way. And yet, despite the venting, she still defends him. It’s like she’s stuck in this loop, but unwilling to break it and there's nothing I can do.
But what gets me the most is, the guy shejust metand isn’t even dating, treats her better than Bobby ever has.
I shake my head. “Look, as long as you’re happy, I'm happy. I just don’t want you to be sad because Bobby is being a douche.” My voice softens and I look right at her. “And if youaren’thappy… you don’t have to wait for the universe to intervene. You’re allowed to make that call yourself.”
She blinks at me, looking like she's carrying the weight of the world and sighs, laying back on the bed. “Ugh. Why are you so wise in the mornings? I hate it.”
I grin, nudging her with my foot. “It’s a gift.”
“Okay, let's get up! We need to start getting ready, they could be here any minute!” She injects enough urgency to light a fire under my ass.
I freeze mid-stretch and my eyes snap open. “Wait. Do youknowwhen they’re coming? Are they almost here?Good hell, why didn’t you tell me?” I scramble up, practically tripping over everything in sight as I hunt for something to wear.
“Well, no, they’re not comingright now,” she admits, way too smug, “but Idoknow that if I said that, you’d get your ass in gear.”
I whip around, gaping at her. “YOU WOULD!”
“Hey, whatever works!” She giggles, disappearing down the hall.
I huff dramatically and stomp toward the bathroom, gathering my things for a shower. Honestly, that’s a process in itself. Regardless of when they’recoming, I’d better shower now so my hair has a decent chance of drying before midnight. Hair wash days are a ritual I can't skip.
The second I step under the hot water, Kane sneaks right back in. I groan, dragging my hands down my face.Ugghhh.
Do cold showers work for girls too?Because good hell,I might have blue-something.
Princess? Seriously? He probably calls everyone that. Or he just thinks I’m a spoiled brat. Whatever he can think what he wants.
I’ve had boyfriends and even one-night stands that I’m not exactly proud of, just like any normal person. Butthatkiss… was something else entirely, and I can’t stop thinking about it. My toes curl against the tile as the memory floods back in vivid, dangerous detail.
Kane kissed me like a man on a mission. Like heknewexactly what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it.
And then he backed away like I was on fire. Epic kiss, followed by an epic failure. I still can’t figure out what that’s supposed to mean. It doesn't matter what has his panties in a twist. Whatever he dishes out, I will give right back, because I'm not here to impress him. Kiss or not, I'm not interested.
The only downside to not being in a relationship is, there’s no one around to handle myneeds. Sure, I can take care of myself, especially if it means avoiding assholes. But the problem is Kane. I can’tstopthinking about him.
Which means I’ve been turned on, way too much. And I'm sharing a house with my best friend. So right now, it's inconvenient as hell. I groan, tilting my head back against the shower wall, willing the intrusive thoughts away, but it doesn’t work. Because all I can think about ishim.
The way his hands felt when they gripped my face. The way his lips molded to mine like they belonged there. The way his seductive voice said my name like he was tasting it.
It’s a problem that leads me to one inevitable conclusion. If I’m going to get through today, I need to take matters into my own hands or I won't be able to function. I reach for the showerhead, adjusting the angle as I let the stream of water hit exactly where I need it.
I shouldn’t be doing this, but it’s impossible not to. Just imagining what that man could do if given the chance is enough to unravel me.
It’s not quite the release I was hoping for, but it’ll have to do for now.
I barely have time to recover before Rachel bursts into the bathroom, music blasting from her phone.
I jump, quickly shoving the showerhead back into place like I wasn’t just defiling myself in the sacred waters of our rental. If she suspects anything, she doesn’t say a word. Bless this woman I call my best friend.
I grab a towel and get out of the shower.
