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His words feed the insecure part of me, but I try to ignore them. The truth is right there, though. I feel it all over. I cover my face with my hands and groan loudly. “Troy. You’re exhausting me.”
“You’re making me crazy, Ten. I don’t even know what I am saying, because he kissed you.”
My eyes narrow as I drop my hands. “He kissed my hand. It isn’t a big deal.”
“It looked like a big deal,” he throws at me. And in my heart, I know it was. It was intimate, sweet, and crazy-hot. “Are you sleeping with him?”
I sigh in exasperation. “I already told you I wasn’t.”
“That’s hard to believe. You didn’t see what I saw.”
“Because that’s us,” I say, throwing my hands up as I meet his gaze, feeling crazy and confused. “It’s fire, it’s insane, and it’s all-consuming. I don’t understand it, but Troy, I have never felt anything like that for anyone but him.”
He flinches as if I hit him. “There is no heat between us?”
I shake my head. “There never has been. We’re friends.”
“That’s not true. I love you,” he insists, and I look away, closing my eyes. “I have loved you since the moment I met you.”
“But I don’t love you,” I admit, my voice small. “I never have, and I never will. I know that hurts you, and I’m sorry, Troy. I am. But I told you from the jump I was emotionally unavailable.”
He swallows, his Adam’s apple working overtime. I never intended on hurting him. “Because of him.”
I nod slowly. “Because of him.”
“Someone who will more than likely cheat on you and mistreat you.”
I know I should just ignore his comment. I know he’s baiting me and he is very upset, but I can’t hold back. “He took more care of me in twelve hours, in every way possible, than you have in a month.”
Anger vibrates his body, and I should have known better than to say anything. “You are a fucking whor—”
His words are cut off when Owen Adler puts his hand on Troy’s chest. I hadn’t even seen him or heard him coming. Like a silent assassin, he shoves Troy, knocking him off-balance. He falls back onto the carpet with a thud, and I whip my startled gaze to Owen. His face is full of anger, and his eyes are wild as he looks down at Troy. “Be glad I didn’t go get Dart like I should have. Instead, I’ll issue the warning,” he seethes, leaving me wheezing. “Don’t ever let me hear you speak to her like that, because not only will I whoop your ass, but Dart will tear you in two.”
I am stunned in place as Troy scrambles to his feet, embarrassed and pissed at the same time. “Put your hands on me again, and I’ll press charges.”
Owen is unfazed. “Watch your mouth, and we won’t have an issue.”
Troy snaps his gaze to mine. “My uncle will be there tonight. Don’t fucking embarrass me.”
I press my lips together as Owen says, “I think you should try not to embarrass yourself. And I hope you enjoy the night—by yourself.”
“You don’t speak for her,” Troy barks at him, and Owen shrugs.
“I know for a fact that she won’t be going with you,” he says before looking at me. “Am I right?”
“You’re right,” I agree, crossing my arms over my chest. “We’re done, Troy.”
The look on his face has me thankful Owen is here. I’m sure Troy wouldn’t touch me, and I can hold my own, but I do feel better with Owen standing there. Troy’s lips are tight as he says, “Don’t embarrass me. Your job depends on it.”
I force myself to breathe as he stomps off like a toddler, and I take a deep breath before letting my arms drop. That went great and not at all as planned. I wanted to sit down, discuss things with Troy, mainly to protect my career. But Dart had other plans. Damn it.
“I would apologize for jumping in there, but I’m not going to,” Owen says. “And I can’t tell my wife, because she’ll tell Dart, and Dart will kill him.”
I snort at that. “You’re the best friend?”
He nods. “And you’re the one he almost lost.”
Almost.
My heart skips as I look away. “You must hate me.”
“Not at all,” he says simply. “To paraphrase my girl TSwift, you aren’t doing it right if love doesn’t make you crazy.”
Laughter sputters from me, easing the tension that was about to burst inside me. “Did you really just quote Taylor Swift?”
He nods. “My wife forces me to listen to her while she makes me replant her plants.”
I try not to laugh. “I have a feeling there is no forcing or making you do anything.”
He winks. “Not with her, but I have to be all tough and shit. I’m a hockey player.”
