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I let the shirt slide down, covering them from view. My stomach turned at the thought of anyone but my guys touching them.
“They’re still healing.”
“Oh, they’re that new? Nice, what made you get them?”
Flashes of that day in Leyton’s room came to mind. The ache inside me only grew.
“They were given to me.” I shook my head and headed toward the door. I slipped my shoes on, needing that cigarette more than ever. “You ready?”
Peyton looked like he wanted to ask me more. Thankfully, he kept his mouth shut as we both headed toward the door. The drive was very much the same. Peyton had the music up, but I could barely listen to it. My mind was on the same thing it had been on for years. My guys.
A gas station came into view, and I hopped out when Peyton parked. I didn’t wait for him. My need to have a smoke had me racing inside.
The bell chimed above the door, and I walked up and down the aisle. I stared at the chips and grabbed a random bag before making my way to the counter. “Can I get a pack of Rothmans?” I looked over the lighters and placed one down next to the bag of chips.
“ID.”
I padded around my pants and groaned. I didn’t have shit on me.This isn’t my day.
“I have mine,” Peyton said from behind me.
The clerk looked it over and handed over the cigarettes without complaint. I took the lighter and headed outside.
“Wait up, Ramsey.”
I placed the cigarette between my lips and lit it. The first inhale made me moan, and I took in another drag. It didn’t compare to Leyton, but nothing would.
Absentmindedly, I rubbed at my chest as I continued to smoke.
“Look, Ramsey. You seem like you need time. I’ll just take you back to your dorm room.”
It was probably for the best. I blew out a puff of smoke and shrugged.
“Really?” Peyton tossed his arms up. “I don’t get you, Ramsey.”
I flicked the ash off the cigarette and stared at him as I brought it back to my lips. What was there to get? I wasn’t exactly a damn puzzle.
“I’ve been nothing but nice to you, and when I think you’re flirting with me, you turn around and flinch from my touch.” He shook his head at me. “You defend guys who are nothing but trash.”
The cigarette dropped from my hand, and I climbed Peyton like a tree and brought him down to the ground. I twisted around his back, and his knees slammed into the pavement. My arm wrapped tightly around his throat, and my legs locked together. His blunt nails scratched at my arms.
“Don’t ever call them that.” My heart pounded in my ears, blocking out the sounds around me. “Am I clear?”
Peyton tapped my arm, and I relented. He fell over on his hands, coughing and sputtering. I picked my cigarette up and finished it off.
“What the fuck, Ramsey?” He glared up at me. For the first time, Peyton kind of looked hot enough to fuck.
I squatted down in front of him. “When you look at me, what do you see?”
“Someone who’s batshit insane.”
I laughed. He wasn’t wrong. “Yeah, should be careful who you want to be friends with.”
Peyton shook his head and sat up on his knees. It was a testament to how stupid Peyton was or, more accurately, how much he underestimated me that he wasn’t running away from me.
I stood up, more than ready to leave. Maybe I’d take Elio up on joining the family. I was decent at torturing.
I felt movement behind me. I expected him to go home and be done with me. However, that was far from the case.
