Page 24

Devon leans forward between the seats to study the couple. “What, so sleeping around is cool now? But when I did it, everyone had a fucking problem?”

“Devon,” Logan barks, but the asshole just keeps talking.

“How’s that work, anyway? Wife on one side, boyfriend on the other. What happens when they both want you? Is it just one big fuck fest?”

Snatching his hoodie, I yank him back into his seat. “You'd better shut your mouth before I shut it for you.”

He sneers in response, more like the Dev I've come to fucking hate. “Yeah, and how you gonna do that, hot shot? Kiss me?”

“I'd rather crash my bike and kiss the asphalt than your mouth, motherfucker.”

Devon immediately clams up. Whatever weak light that had been in his eyes winks out, replaced by something dull and hollow. Silently, he throws his hood over his greasy hair and stares out the window.

It takes me longer than I care to admit to realize what I said.

Crash. Kissing asphalt—the very thing he and Logan did after I caught Devon fuckin Arya. They both almost died that night. Shit, Logan did die. His heart stopped beating.

Goddamn, this asshole brings out the absolute worst in me, I swear.

Nobody says anything for a long moment. The only sounds are the hum of the tires and the squeak of the windshield wipers.

Logan’s the one to finally break the silence. “Where are you staying, Dev?”

There's a brief, heavy pause. “Nowhere.”

Logan glances at him in the rearview mirror, brows furrowed. “Nowhere?”

“Got kicked out of the motel. Arnie owns it, so if he sees me back there…” Dev trails off, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll figure something out. Drop me anywhere.”

A cold dread settles in my gut. You'd think I'd feel vindicated at that, but all I feel is sick. “You can stay at my place,” I grumble.

Logan’s wide eyes meet mine. “Christian, are you sure⁠—”

“Just until he gets back on his feet. That's it.”

Dev slowly turns his head toward me. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I’m doing it anyway. Now shut the fuck up.”

The rest of the drive is silent, except for the constant thud of my heartbeat in my ears and Granite by Sleep Token playing softly on the radio. Every second stretches on until my own thoughts are louder than the sound of tires on the road. Fuck, it feels like my chest is caving in. The last thing I wanna do is have a damn junkie on my couch.

Okay, maybe that's a bit harsh. Taylor was an alcoholic once, and I still moved in with him. But that was Taylor. He’s my ride or die for life. Not some asshole who slept with my girl and almost killed my roommate. So why the hell did I just offer? Dios mio, my fucking head hurts.

When Logan finally pulls into the driveway, I’m out of the car before it even stops rolling. I need air. I need distance. I need to get the fuck away from everyone and just breathe.

All this pent-up energy, but no way to release it.

Well… There is one way.

Grabbing my phone, I pull up my contacts and type out a message before starting down the sidewalk, wishing I hadn’t left my Bronco at Taylor's.

“Where are you going?” Logan calls, but I don't slow down.

“Out.”

“Out where?”

“Gonna get laid,” I throw over my shoulder, shoving my hands into my pockets. When I glance back, Owen and Logan are gazing after me with worry written all over their faces. Devon's is unreadable.