Page 32 of Tainted Rose

With that, Aunt Liz and Uncle David say their goodbyes and make their way back to their car.

As I join everyone else waiting for me, I debate whether to say anything now about the incident in the shower, but then I figure, fuck it. I’m not holding back. I pull Xander aside, which definitely surprises him. I work my jaw, trying to decide if it was really him. Just ask. Get it over with. “Was it you?”

His eyes scan my face, lingering. “What?” He looks confused.

I whisper low, “Was that you outside the shower? Someone was standing right outside my stall again.”

His eyes narrow with concern. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Scarlett.”

“What, because you haven’t before?” My voice raises.

“Technically, I didn’t before either. That was Aria.”

Beau steps closer, a frown sliding over his features. “Did you say someone was in the locker room with you?”

Micah, Daphne, and Max join the conversation, a cautious look exchanged among them.

My heart pounds as I heave out a breath. “Yes. Tall and dark hair. Definitely not Aria this time. Whoever it was is way too big to have been a girl.” I whirl on Micah and look pointedly at his dark hair and broad frame. My brows go up a fraction right before he raises his hands and shakes his head.

“No way. I’ve been right here the whole time. We showed up to make sure you were okay after your misadventures last night. Ask Daphne and Max.”

Ah, hell.I sure hope by “misadventures” he’s talking about my drunken dancing and not anything else. I’d been hoping Xander and I could keep my payback stunt between the two of us. I side-eye Xander, and he gives a little shake to his head. Apparently, he’s read my expression and knows exactly what I’m worried about.

Daphne peers nervously at Micah but speaks up. “He’s telling the truth. He was right here the whole time. In fact, we all were, Xander included.” She chews on her lip. “Who would do that?”

I shake my head, my gaze wandering to my aunt and uncle’s car, which is pulling out of the parking lot. I inhale deeply and then let out a steady stream of air, thinking. “To freak me out, I guess? Maybe it was someone from the other team.” I look around, shivers washing over me. “I don’t want to think about it right now.” My eyes cast down to my shoes. I’m really disturbed to realize I don’t actually know who was with me in the locker room. I’d almost rather it have been Xander or Micah.

Max pats my shoulder. “I hear that, Cupcake. You still up for the movie?”

I lift my head and give him a smile. “Yeah, that’d be the perfect thing to take my mind off of all the crazy around here.” I sneak a peek at Xander out of the corner of my eye.

Daphne nods her head in the direction of Max’s SUV. “We’re going to head over. Meet us there?”

“Sounds good. Thanks so much for coming to support me today.”

Max grins and winks. “Always, Cupcake.”

Once I watch them walk away, I turn back to find Beau and Micah fist-bumping Xander and telling him they’ll see him later.

Beau hooks his arm around my neck in an odd sort of hug. “Awesome run today, pretty girl.” He winks at me. “Glad to see your party antics didn’t fuck with you too much. You’re not still mad at me for trying to vodka-block you, are ya?”

I shake my head. “No. Thank you for trying to look out for me.”

“No problem. We’ll catch you later.”

“Thanks for dancing with me, Micah.” A slight blush steals over my cheeks.

“Anytime.” Micah lifts a hand and nods at me with a small smile—totally a Micah thing—silently saying goodbye before he follows Beau.

Xander takes a deep breath, his face registering a fair amount of regret. “I get that you were pissed at me last night and feel like I’m yanking you around. I even respect what you did.” He slides the pad of his thumb over his lower lip, the gaze of his dark eyes penetrating mine. “After last night, I’ve had a change of heart. I’m biding my time, trying to figure things out. I still want you, Red. Bad.”

I cross my arms in front of me as my gaze skims over his strong cheekbones, chiseled jaw, and corded neck. I find him so attractive it muddles my thinking.

“We’ll figure out who is messing with you.” His body tenses, and his hands fist at his sides.

I shrug, not sure what to make of anything he just said. “Maybe next time I’ll open the shower door in all my naked glory and see who it is.”

He hisses through his teeth while his heated gaze travels down my body—it’s almost like a physical touch. “Naked glory is right.”

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