Page 114 of Insatiable

The place is small, not too busy and doesn’t smell. But before I can get a good look around, my gaze lands on a tall, muscled figure at the bar, a tattoo crawling up his neck, dark hair a mess as usual. Kade turns to us, lifting his beer bottle up as his friends head towards him.

I look away and go find the chair furthest from the pool table the boys have chosen, and Tylar orders us drinks. My phone vibrates again, my eyes flickering to Kade as he taps on his screen. Another notification comes through.

Groaning, I give in and check it.

Kade: The fuck are you on about?

Kade: I don’t have a girlfriend. When would I have time for that? You think I’d fuck you when I was with someone else?

Kade: Although, jealousy looks cute on you.

I narrow my eyes at the screen. Muttering aprickunder my breath, I type back quickly before my friends see.

Me: Cockiness looks ugly on you. I’m not jealous either. And don’t lie.Dezsaid you were leaving your girlfriend’s place to meet them. I really don’t care, but don’t come near me again.

Glancing up, I see his thumbs rapidly work his phone, his brows knitted in anger, and I can’t help but feel a little relieved, because somehow, I believe him. I watch him chew on his lip, still typing back to me. When the notification comes through, he looks up at me, and we hold each other’s stare until I feel treacherous heat creeping up my spine.

Kade: I don’t have a fucking girlfriend. I had to lie to them. Once I finish this game, go to the bathroom when I walk out. It’s easier to talk.

Me: Now you want to talk? No thanks.

“Who has you scowling at your phone?” Ty asks, and I quickly turn my screen off.

“No one,” I reply, and her eyes flicker to the boys.

“Is this my drink?” I point to the red cocktail, and when she nods, I take a huge gulp. “Please tell me we aren’t staying here all night.”

Ty and Lu both say the opposite at the same time.Luciella grumbles and drops her face into her hands.

We then talk about what our plans are for when we get home, since Lu is desperate to get away from Base and cutting the trip short. The conversation goes on for hours, and Tylar and Dez stand at the bar multiple times, smiling between themselves. Lu has watched them a few times, but after I mouth to her to stop it, she shrugs and downs a drink Base has bought her.

She doesn’t drink much, so I reckon she’ll be going home soon. Either Aria will pick her up, or I’ll take her, or Base will get an Uber back to the hotel with her like he did last time. He even put her into bed and sat with her until she fell asleep.

Another drink, and Ty and Dez are nowhere to be seen. I’ve given Lu a bottle of water while we sit on a pool table opposite the one Kade and Base are playing at.

I try to ignore him. But I’m struggling, especially when his fingers trail down my spine as I squeeze past him to place my drink on the small table.

Luciella boos her brother’s best friend as he pots one of his balls. “You are shhhhhockingly bad, Sebastian.”

He chuckles, taking a drink of his beer and leaning his hip against the table. “Will you scream my full name when I pin you to the table with my dick?”

Kade nearly chokes on his drink. “Come on, man.”

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I announce and jump off the table.

The place is next to empty, so I can hear the footsteps behind me as I make my way down the small corridor, into the narrow passage that has three doors.

“Stacey.”

My skin buzzes. I stop, taking a deep breath. “What?”

He pulls my elbow. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“I saw your message – I’m aware.”

His blue eyes watch me, and I can tell he wants to say something. Maybe to say it was a mistake.

Because it was.

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