I’m going to focus on school. I’ll date. Yes, I’ll definitely date. Maybe Quinn or one of the other girls can fix me up with someone and I can test the waters outside of the Pack. It’s not like I’m looking for a mate right now or anything. I just need to get over whatever it is that I feel for that wolfhole.
The door leading to the backyard opens and Deacon steps inside.
“Hey,” he says upon seeing me right as I shove a handful of turkey into my mouth.
I give him a wave and point to my mouth as I chew. He nods and a few seconds later I swallow. “Sorry. Didn’t want to talk with my mouth full.”
“No problem.” He shifts uncomfortably.
“So…” I say.
“Yeah. Sorry. I was just coming in to use the bathroom.”
I point down the hall. “First door on your right.”
He nods. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” He goes to take care of business and I put the lunch meat package in the refrigerator before reaching in for a bottle of water and heading back to my room. I’m just passing the hallway bathroom when Deacon steps out. “Have fun,” I tell him as I slip past.
“Oh, hey, wait up.”
I slow my steps, but I don’t stop entirely. “What’s up?”
“I was hoping we could talk,” he says.
“I thought we already did?” We pause outside my room and I hesitate to open it. I have a feeling if I open my door, he’ll want to come inside, and I’m not sure that's a good idea. Deacon is nice, and hot. But I’m in a weird head space right now, and yes, I definitely want to get over whatever hang-up I have for Desmond at the moment, but I know myself. I’ll do something reckless, like throw myself at the guy and just make a bigger mess out of things, which isn’t fair to him. I need to find a guy not on the Infernum team. One Desmond can’t screw with to get at me.
“We did, it’s just—” My door swings open on its own. Correction, the jerkface standing inside my room opens it.
“Leave,” he says to Deacon, right as I say, “What the hell are you doing in my room?”
Desmond doesn’t look at me, his penetrating stare resting solely on Deacon.
“Look, man...”
Des shakes his head. “I don’t have time to deal with you right now. You need to go. Now.”
Deacon’s shoulders are stiff as the guys stare off with one another.Screw this.
“Hi. I have a better idea. How about you both leave. That would be great.”
Deacon looks down at me, a flicker of hurt in his eyes, and I wince. “Sorry,” I tell him. “This one brings the bitch out in me.”
That seems to satisfy him, but still, neither guy moves. I turn to Des. “Why are you even here?” I just decided I’m done with his crap and this is what the universe does? It’d be bad enough if he showed up on my doorstep, but in my room? Really?
Des looks down at me. “We need to talk.”
I scoff. “Pass. I don’t have anything to say to you.” The universe can shove it for all I care.
He gives me a once over, a smirk curling the corners of his mouth when he sees I’m wearing his shirt. “That looks good on you.” He fingers one of the sleeves.
I smack his hand away with my bottle. “Go home, Des.”
“Meiying.” There’s a warning there, his wolf bleeding into his voice.
“She said go home, man. Take the hint and back off.”
Surprising me, Des ignores him. Well, I guess that isn’t really surprising, but I expected a verbal jab or maybe even a punch after that comment.
