Page 178 of Anger

Gabriel leans over until his shoulder is pressed to mine. “Shane, Taylor, Ezra and Damon are already at Tanner’s house, and Mason is driving Shane’s car back from Georgia with Ava.”

Okay. Well, that’s all the small talk I have to delay the inevitable.

The car lurches forward, and Tanner continues staring at me. “What’s going on with you and Damon?”

Damn.

Why are they so interested in this? Can’t two people fuck without being questioned about it?

“We’re … friends.” When he keeps staring, I add, “With benefits.”

There. I’ve covered everything.

Tanner leans back in his seat, his eyes narrowing a touch like there’s more I’m not telling him.

Gabriel nudges my shoulder again and says, “It’s not that we have a problem with you. So, don’t take it that way—“

“Why did Damon give you ten grand for a deal?” Tanner asks, interrupting Gabriel, who I would much rather talk to. Tanner makes my butthole pucker. Something about him is off.

This part I can answer because it’s not one of the secrets Damon confided in me.

“I was having a hard time getting my manager at work off my back. Damon offered me the money to help me out. Or at least I thought that’s what he was doing.”

With a softer voice, Gabriel asks, “And now what do you think he was doing?”

I turn to look at him, mesmerized by the clear green color of his eyes. “Using me to get to Brinley.”

They all share glances, some unspoken thoughts and ideas being passed along that drives me mad.

“Just say what you all are thinking instead of the staring contest.”

All eyes are back on me, and I instantly regret the outburst.

Tanner relaxes more against his seat.

“Damon didn’t want a favor for the deal. We found out about the deal, and we demanded it. That’s what has us so confused. Normally, deals are made with a specific favor in mind. But Damon gave you that money for no reason.”

Surprised, by that, my heart stutters funnily. “So the favor he asked—“

“He didn’t want,” Gabriel finishes for me.

Sighing, Tanner stabs a hand through his hair. “We want to know what’s going on between you two because Damon has … issues.”

Of course, he does. He’s damaged. I already knew that. But I won’t tell his friends that. I won’t betray Damon.

I’m suddenly on the defensive.

“Does it really matter what’s going on between us?”

Gabriel settles back against his seat.

“It’s taken a while for Damon to be balanced. We’re concerned that if he has feelings for you and they’re not reciprocated, it’ll cause problems.”

“For me?” I ask.

“For him,” Gabriel answers.

Recalling how he couldn’t even bother to text me after finding Brinley, I brush their worries off.

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