Page 69 of Force of Nature

I quietly make my way back to the trail, a small smile playing on my lips. I was so certain it was Thad out here with the raven haired Bianca that realizing it isn’t makes me feel a thousand pounds lighter. I’m also really happy for my brother who seems happier than I think I’ve ever seen him.

Right as I reach the clearance where the woods meet the back yard, Chris comes jogging up to me.

“Hey.” He seems winded.

“Hey.” I grin.

“What were you doing in the woods?”

“Nothing. Just needed a minute,” I lie. “Ran into our little brother and Beth doing god knows what.” I chuckle. “Decided my minute was up.”

“Shut up.” He laughs, shaking his head.

“Anyway, what’s up? Did you need something?”

“I wanted to see if you were ready to go soon.”

“You okay to drive?” I ask.

“Yeah, I only had two beers when we first got here. Sober as can be.”

“Okay, yeah,” I agree, following my brother as he turns and starts back up the yard. “I need to go say bye to a few people. Meet you at the car in ten?”

“Sounds good.” He nods before veering back toward the bonfire at the same time I turn toward the barn.

Given the angle I’m at, I have a full view of the side and back of the barn as I approach. I’m a little lost in my thoughts when something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention. The back of the barn is illuminated by a dim yellow light overhead. It’s not much but it’s enough that I can clearly see two people behind it.

My feet stop so abruptly I nearly topple forward but I’m so consumed by what’s happening in front of me that I barely even notice.

I know it’s Thad without seeing his face. I can tell by his shoulders, by his stance, in the way he cages the raven haired girl against the chipped red paint. It’s the same way he’s caged me in more times than I can count.

His mouth is on hers, his lean muscled body pressed flush against her slender frame. Her arms are around his neck, her hands tangled in the back of his hair as she holds him to her. Bianca.

My stomach twists and suddenly everything inside of it threatens to come up.

I’m close enough to see everything in perfect detail but far enough away that neither have noticed me yet. Not that they would notice me even if I were standing right next to them considering how preoccupied they both appear to be.

“Wow.” I don’t mean to speak so when the word leaves my mouth on a loud shaky rush, it not only shocks them apart but it surprises me as well. It takes me a solid ten seconds to realize it was me who spoke by which time both Bianca and Thad have turned in my direction.

“Laken.” Thad takes a full step back, his body angled so that Bianca and I are at opposite sides.

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” I bite, venom thick in my voice.

“Laken,” He takes a step toward me and I hold my hand up to stop him from coming any closer.

“Don’t. Don’t you fucking dare.” I blink away the tears that instantly sting the backs of my eyes.

Why the hell does this hurt so bad? Didn’t I know we were over anyway? Especially after last night. Why does seeing it confirmed with my own two eyes make it feel like my chest is splitting open and my insides are pouring out?

“Just so you know, he was in my bed last night. So enjoy that.” I sneer at Bianca before spinning on my heel and quickly walking away.

I don’t get more than a few steps before Thad’s hand closes around my forearm, pulling me to a stop.

“Get the hell off of me.” I rip my arm away but not before he’s managed to step in front of me and block my path.

“Let me explain,” he starts, desperation in his voice.

“Explain what exactly? How you fucked me last night and then ran out of the room like it was on fire? Explain why you’ve spent the whole night with that slut all over you knowing I was here. Explain why Ijustcaught you with your tongue down her throat or that had I not shown up that wouldn’t have been the only part of you inside her? Thanks but I’ll pass.” I attempt to step around him.

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