Page 104 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

hour or two. We have another bar gig this week. Just trying to get

ready for the wedding of the year.”

“Okay, have fun.”

Still, he doesn’t release me, something else plaguing his mind right

now. “Leah, I don’t want to leave you here with him.”

“It’s Ryan. What is he going to do?”

His eyes cast shadows as he looks away, something cold in his touch

that trails up my arm. He comes up another porch step, still taller

than me even though I have one up on him. His lips graze my cheek,

settling near my ear.

“It’s not just him I’m worried about.”

My brows furrow. “What are you saying, Percy?”

The flood of last night comes through me like he’s knocked a hole in

the dam of those memories that are still too fresh to even address

right now. Even then, it’s like I can read his mind with just one

hollow look on his face that makes me ache.

I pull him inside, shutting the door promptly against Ryan’s smug

face. He blinks through the glass, snarling a look through the door

while I hold up a single finger. Turning Percy away, I can see his

bandmates aggravated like I’m keeping Percy to myself.

“Do you think I want him?” I ask, pointing through the glass at Ryan.

He gives me an accusatory look like I’m attacking him, but thankfully

the door is locked. He can sit and stew in his own assumptions.

“Percy, I would never sleep with Ryan again.”

He winces, signaling that he knows it’s the truth. “I’m just worried.

Last night was just so… and I don’t want us to… I can’t lose

another…”

“Hey, look at me.” I bring my hand against his smooth cheek, pulling

him to look at me carefully. “I don’t want him.”

“Last night, you asked me why he would leave you.”

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