Page 175 of Trust Me

His eyes widened. When they started to become guarded, I leaned closer.

“Hey—”

He shrugged me off. “That’s all it took? A week in New York and you’re ready to pack up and leave m—” He swallowed. “Leave Seattle.”

“Come.” I squeezed his hand tightly, ignoring the incredulous look on his face. “We found freedom in Seattle, but maybe we’ve outgrown it. You need a fresh start.”

He shook his head. “I can’t search for a fresh start every time things are bad. I’ll never stop moving.”

“Just this time. You’ve been here eleven years, and you’ve grown so much. What if you grow even more out there?”

“You just feel bad. That’s why you’re telling me to come.”

“Bad?” I chuckled. “No, it’s definitely selfish.”

“How?”

“Because I found a family, but I know that no matter what I gain, I’ll never be completely whole without you. I’m asking you to come for me, but also, I think you’re due for your own happy ending. You’ve earned it.”

“I don’t know.”

“Think about it. Dean and I already talked about it, and we’ll do whatever we can to help you get a new bar going there.”

He was quiet until he’d finished his cigarette. After setting the butt on the table, he folded his hands and leaned forward. “New York, huh?”

“Maybe not the city. We’re hella poor.”

“It can’t be any worse than staying here,” he finally said. “So, maybe.”

“Really?”

“A snake grows by shedding its skin. A man dies by shedding his spine.”

“I don’t get it,” I admitted. “Are you the snake here?”

“By Týr’s missing hand,” he groaned. “Shed what you’ve outgrown, but not what holds you upright.” He tapped his fist against my chest. “You hold me upright, dumbass.”

Jumping to my feet, I smiled at him. “New adventures.”

He groaned. “I don’t like change.”

“Yeah, I know.”

The door opened, letting out the whole group of guys at once.

“Is he gone?” I asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Dean said, scratching his head.

“What happened?”

“West happened.”

I looked at him. Thankfully, I didn’t see any blood. But he was shirtless.

With a grin, he held up a shredded piece of fabric. That was when I saw the blood. In his mouth.

“Did you bite him?” I demanded, already imagining the news story.