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I frowned. “What’s your issue?”
He drew up short at that. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been told that I don’t do personal. There’s a reason. Now, you brought up that you knew about me and Cruz before everyone else and you’re asking me if he and I are okay? How is that any of your business? And you’re following me.”
“I’m your friend.”
“No, you’re not! I don’t throw that word around easily. I don’t let a lot of those in, and even less since I had one turn his back on me. You’re a roommate, and you’re an acquaintance, and you’re a hangout friend. My real friends, they don’t push. Maybe it’s too much that I’m asking for that consideration, but I’m not in your business. I’m not asking who you’re fucking or how you and her or him are doing? I don’t do that. I don’t wade into people’s business unless they’ve made it known that’s what they want. I don’t do friendship contracts. You want to fuck me? Is that what this is about?”
“If he doesn’t, I wouldn’t mind a go.”
I tensed.
Flynn Carrington was coming from his vehicle. A few other Alpha Mu guys had ridden with him, including his little brother, who was frowning at me.
Wade stepped closer to me. “Carrington.”
He didn’t pause as he walked past us. “Kressup. You throwing your hat in the ring?”
I growled, but Wade touched my arm, blocking me from the rest of the guys as they passed. “Imagine that. You being a dick. The world spins another day.”
His little brother stopped at Flynn’s question, glanced my way, back to his brother, before throwing me an inscrutable look.
“Look at that. Dry sarcasm. Good for you.” Flynn turned to walk backwards, his smirk a half grin. “By the way, how’s your girl? Oh wait…” The grin was gone, and it was just a smirk.
Wade tensed. “You mean Rosa, the girl I liked before she woke up in your bed, naked and no memory how she got there? That girl? Who was so devastated after her medical exam that she quit school and moved back home?”
Oh whoa!
I had my own gut instincts, as well as so many others saying something. But to hear it confirmed and from another guy, that was major.
Flynn ground to a halt. “Those are big words to throw around unless you got proof to back it up?”
Wade’s face was like cement. “That’s the problem, isn’t it? You say your place doesn’t have cameras. Her friend said she wandered in there alone.”
“I was never in my room that night. I’m the one who found her. Remember?” His gaze was hard right back. “I never touched your friend.” His eyes slid to mine, taking in Wade’s hand on my arm. “Funny. I thought she was already spoken for. Look at you, Little Daniels, getting all these guys to line up for you. Guess they’re all content to wait for their turn. Just so you know, I’m not a wait-in-line kind of guy.”
“You fucking asshole.” Wade started for him.
I got in between them, my back to Carrington, and I placed my hands on Wade’s chest. “Stop.” I said it low and calm, but insistent. “You can’t get into a fight with him, not guys like him.”
Wade was grinding his teeth.
I dug in. “He’s too connected, Wade. Too much money. Too much family influence. Trust me. I know guys like him. How he’s acting, he knows he can get away with almost anything right now.” As much as I was trying to talk Wade into having a cooler head, my heart ached for that Rosa girl.
His nostrils flared, but Wade stopped pushing.
Carrington laughed as he went inside, “Thanks for having my back, Daniels. I owe you one.”
I glared at him, but he was gone. All his brothers too. His little brother stood to the side. Our eyes met, and he flinched, looking away.
“I don’t want Miller coming to our house anymore.”
I tucked my hands back to my side. “I’m not the one inviting him, and he’s not Carrington. He’s not a predator.”
Wade’s eyes were still a little feral. “Aren’t they all?”
“No. They aren’t.”
He growled. “You know what? Your idea to cut and run, good choice after all.” He gestured beyond me. “I can’t go in there or I’ll be leaving in handcuffs, but, God, if I go and study right now, I’ll be thinking about him and what he did to Rosa.”
“A bar,” I said it, not thinking.
His gaze sharpened on me. “What?”
“We should go to a bar. Lots of stimuli. It’ll help keep your mind off of Carrington and your friend.” I lifted a shoulder, knowing, just knowing I should’ve kept my mouth shut. “We can study there. Great idea, right?”
It was a horrible idea.
32
MARA
Wade suggested a local bar that didn’t look too closely at ID cards. Worked for me.
