Page 54 of Careless

Christian’s hand squeezes mine as he leans into me, but we both know this touch isn’t intimate in nature. “Did you ask?”

“Finn said it wasn’t them. Dez didn’t break the rules. He has to still be out there. Have faith and try to have a Happy Halloween.”

He smirks at me with appreciation gleaming in his eyes and gives me a hug. “Thank you for your help. You didn’t have to go out of your way for me, and it could’ve gotten you in trouble with your family.”

Guilt eats at me as I hug him back. Even if Finn and the others were responsible, I would’ve told Christian the same thing. I know if I told him they killed his brother, he would report them, and I wouldn’t blame him.

I pull back and send him a smile. “See you at the party tonight?”

“You bet.” He looks me up and down, seeing my outfit for the first time. “ Are you a witch?”

“Morticia Addams, actually. What about you?” I ask, taking in the strange paper wings taped to his Nikes and the leather satchel over his shoulder. And... is that a kilt?

“Hermes? As in Messenger of the Gods?”

I blush at how obvious it would’ve been if I actually thought about it. “Oh, right.”

“Don’t feel bad. I thought you were a witch.”

I smirk. “Morticiaisa witch. She’s just very dark and morbid, like Wednesday, but with a smile,” I joke. “You know, Wednesday is always like this.” I give my best Wednesday Addams impression, which has been called scary. I lower my chin, look up at him, and drop the smile. “And Morticia is like this.” I pause for a few moments then go back to my normal expression and Christian laughs.

“Wow. You’re really good at that.”

I shrug. “I have to be good at something, right?”

His brown eyes roll. “Come on. You’re good at a lot of things. You’re easily the nicest girl in school. I’ve seen you dance with the team. You’re incredible.”

Wow. That has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.I can’t help but smile at his compliment.

He says I’m the nicest girl in school. Maybe that explains why Rian thinks he can drag me along and lie to me all the time. I’m too nice.

“Come on, man.” Duncan pops up and slams Christian’s shoulder.

“Ow, dude! I’m sensitive,” he faux whines while vigorously rubbing his arm.

I barely hold in a laugh at his words. Christian does seem sensitive and charming.

“See you guys tonight, yeah?” I ask, directing my question at Christian.

Duncan nods noncommittally and I turn to walk away, but then Christian calls out for me. “Hey, Sorcha!”

“Hm?” I turn to him and watch the smile stretch across his handsome face as Duncan drags him away.

“Save me a dance tonight?”

Christian is the kind of guy I should be interested in. For one, he doesn’t kill people, do drugs, or drink. From my observation, he’s not rude and doesn’t stand for bullying. He stood up for me against his own brother.

That sounds like the beginning of all good love stories, right?

Rian doesn’t deserve me and I’ll never give myself to him now. I might as well try with someone else, and Christian doesn’t seem scared of Rian if he’s asking me to save him a dance.

“Sure.” I return his smile and then give him a wink before turning, and running right into the one I’m trying to avoid.

Damn. That black suit looks really good on him.The angry and territorial aura surrounding him only adds to his mysticism.

“What are you doing?” he demands his words clipped, his eyes narrowing to slits.

What is that even supposed to mean? I haven’t done anything wrong. He’s the fuck up here, not me.

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