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I notice Sierra for the first time since I entered the room. She looks frustrated, eyeing her husband before looking to her angry daughter. “Of course.”
Tinsley reaches behind her back and takes my hand in hers, startling me. I huff a curse, those delicate fingers clutching me tight as she pulls me behind her. My discomfort is still raging strong as we put our shoes on and let Sierra usher us through the front door.
Before the door can fall shut behind us, I look over my shoulder. Braden is scowling at me, a bundle of emotions burning in his eyes. I lick my lips and leave him with the image of my hand in his daughter’s and the knowledge that he’s upset both women in his life. The taste of victory dances on my tongue as I take the final step outside and let him disappear behind the door.
* * *
“He saidhe would leave you alone,” Tinsley mutters, surprising me.
They’re the first words she’s spoken since we left her parents’ house. That was over half an hour ago.
I drove us home in silence. If she wanted to speak, she could. My words wouldn’t have done any good at that moment. I would only have hurt her.
“When?” I ask tightly.
“I don’t want to hear a scolding once I tell you. I’m not in the mood.”
I drop the car keys to the kitchen counter, watching as they fall. They make a loud clang, filling the house with noise. My fingers have begun to burn, the numbness wearing off now that we’re home. I should wash them before Tinsley sees the damage.
My wounds would only intensify her anger. She’s the calm one between the two of us, but when she blows, it drives me to insanity. Fuck, maybe Ishouldshow her.
Give me your wrath, Tinsley. Let it dance with mine.
The thought has my cock pulsing, growing rock-hard in my jeans, a rare occurrence in the presence of anyone else. It only wants one person. One golden girl. It’s always been this way.
In the next breath, I’m watching her, searching for that familiar fire in her eyes. When I find it, my breathing grows ragged, a new ache in my bones.
“What?” she questions, hands on her hips. One eyebrow creeps up when I don’t reply. “Fine. I asked my father to go easier on you, okay? I am sick and tired of the coldness between you two! We’re leaving together in just a few days, and I shouldn’t still be stuck in the middle of this pissing contest after twenty damn years! But apparently, my request fell on deaf, stubborn ears because what he pulled tonight? Oh, I want to hit him right in his stubborn face!”
The words sound harsh and angry but also tired. Her silver eyes are dull. Dim. Frustration builds at my want to spark them again.
“He doesn’t trust me with you.”
“He has no reasonnotto trust you with me.”
Disbelief shifts something in my chest. Braden has every right not to trust me. I think deep down, she knows that, too, but doesn’t want to admit it. I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A friend that craves her in a very unfriendly way. I want her in ways that would scare her father far worse than he already is. Yet, I haven’t made my move. Something has been keeping me from taking what I want. What I fear Ineed.
But that shift inside of me, it begs me to do something—fucking anything—to silence her father once and for all. To be able to stake my claim and deny any of his further attempts to challenge me the way he did tonight.
“He won’t be around in a few days. It will be just us,” I rasp.
Anger begins to slowly leach from her face. “Just us and a million crew members, fans, your band members, and my team.”
“It has always been just us,” I push.
“For someone so grouchy, you do a good job of making meun-grouchy,” she huffs. Lashes fluttering, she meets my stare. My pulse quickens. “You’re right. It’s always been just us. I was silly to think that would change, even in the coming months.”
She has no idea how true her statement is and what I’m prepared to do and give up in order to keep it that way.
9
TINSLEY
“Ready?”
I freeze in the hall, turning to Noah. The handle of my suitcase is slick with the sweat from my palm. I’m clutching onto the thing for dear life, as if it might somehow ground me. I’m confused by the clash of emotions in my chest as I shuffle my feet outside of my bedroom, frowning at my best friend.
I’m excited to leave Toronto, to start the next chapter of my life and take another step toward my dream. But even as I remind myself for the millionth time that I’ll only be gone for a few weeks, a wave of homesickness swarms me. So much can happen in only a handful of weeks.
