Sure, she said she wasn’t going to sleep with me but…
Fuck. She reallywasserious, when I thought she was just messing around, seeing how far she could push me until the inevitable hookup.
“Did she tell you that?” The words all but stick in my throat, and I don’t even know why I give a shit. If she isn’t interested, it doesn’t matter. There’re dozens of girls who’ll put out based on nothing more than my colors.
For the first time, that knowledge doesn’t give me a sense of satisfaction.
“Yeah, right.” Kat scoffs. “Don’t be such an asshole.”
“What the hell did she say?”
Kat glances around as though she doesn’t want to be overheard. I lean in close, even though a part of me can’t believe I’m so hung up on what Amelia Davis told my sister.
“Looks tomelike Zach isn’t the only one who’s pussy-whipped.”
I rear back, and Kat’s snorting with laughter as she flounces off. Fucking pussy-whipped my ass. I haven’t even screwed Amelia.
Is that why I can’t stop thinking about her?
It’s a new one on me, and I don’t like it. She’s just a chick. Nothing special. It’s almost an hour later before I remember the real reason why I left the club and came here.
To make sure Rex Abbott doesn’t get his hands on my sister.
Or Amelia.
Chapter Six
Amelia
The Sunday lunchtime rush at the diner has eased, and I’m taking a ten-minute break at one of the small tables by the window when my cell rings. It’s Rex. I fork my fingers through my hair, but it doesn’t help the nervous pitch in my stomach.
I can’t avoid his calls forever. The sooner I get this over with the better. “Hey.”
“You didn’t answer my text.” His voice is gravelly but not in a sexy way. In fact, when he turned up last week I hardly recognized him from when I was a teen and had a secret crush on him. Talk about ageing badly. He looks nearer fifty than thirty.
“I’ve been busy.”
He has a coughing fit, and I fidget with my charm bracelet until he manages to catch his breath. “Thought as much. You had no trouble getting close to Reynolds?”
The scene in the kitchen floods my mind, just like it had several times during the night. “No. Well, I mean…”
He laughs, and it sends a shudder along my spine as though he’s the evil villain, which is crazy, since that role is filled by Axle Reynolds.
Who also happens to be dead…
I grip my cell tighter, not sure I want to know where my thoughts are taking me.
“That’s my girl.” He sounds satisfied, and I don’t like his tone. “You reel him in good and tight, Amy. I’ll do the rest.”
“Look, about that. I’m not sure—”
“You fucked him yet?” The question is so casual that I forget my irritation at being interrupted for the second time.
“Of course I haven’t.” I hiss the words—what I want to do is scream them, but I can’t risk making a scene at work. “What the hell do you take me for?”
“And he’s still interested?” Rex sounds intrigued, as though that possibility had never occurred to him. Jesus, I am dumb sometimes. I had no idea that’s what he had in mind when he said I needed to get close to Gage.
This is the perfect time to tell Rex I’m calling it quits. But my stupid pride is wounded that he thinks all Gage wants from me is sex, even if deep down I know that’s the truth, and the words are out before I can stop them. “Yeah. He wants to take me on adatethis afternoon.”
