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“What?” Harley scowls at his brother, soothing the sting. “It was a fucking joke.”
“Jokes are meant to be funny, dickwad,” Tom quips.
My gut churns. Their bickering reminds me of the way things used to be with my brothers. I haven’t heard from either of them since everything went down. What Mum said about Bill trying to turn her children against her has me wondering if they already knew. It would explain the excuses their odd behaviour last time we talked.
“Sorry, Conrad,” Harley grits out. “I was just messing around.”
“It’s fine,” I mutter, keeping my eyes down. Dave clears his throat and starts the next round, trying to ease the tension.
I sit quietly through a couple more rounds, trying to ignore the fact that I’m surrounded by reminders of everything I can’t have t.
“I need to take a piss,” I announce. I jolt out of my seat and take off for the toilets.
Fuck, I thought I’d be able to do this. I thought I’d be able to just ignore everything–but I can’t. It feels like I’m walking around with a fucking neon sign on my forehead. Like Tom and Harley already know and they can’t’ wait to publicly reject the half-brother their dad didn’t want. I can’t even be sure that Sam knows–I didn’t ask. As soon as I could stand again, I ran. I couldn’t stick around to hear anymore.
After finally getting to the front of the line and doing my business, I’ve made up my mind: I’m going to take Ellie’s car and leave. Between Brady and Dave, everyone will be able to get a lift home. I wash my hands and splash some water on my face. I’m just going to pack my shit and leave Blue Haven. Fuck it. There’s nothing there for me anymore.
Ellie will be upset, but she’ll understand. Harley will make sure she’s okay. Ivy might care that I’m gone, but she’ll move on. She’ll find someone she can take out and show off. Everyone will be able to go on with their lives once I’m out of the picture.
Decision made, I step out of the portable toilet, and the first thing I see is the sexy blonde in question, scanning the crowd as if she’s looking for someone. I glance around for any sign of Brady, but before I can get very far, she spots me. Her face lights up, and it takes my breath away. All the stress, all the pain just fades into the background. How the fuck am I supposed to leave this girl?
She gives me a hesitant wave before pushing through the crowd. Not a word is said as she reaches up to claim my mouth. Fuck I’ve craved her,neededher. I groan as her tongue meets mine and our bodies mould together like they were made for each other.
“How did you get away without it seeming suspicious?” I ask when we finally pull apart.
“Kody and Sophie offered to do a drink run, and I said I’d help them. I told them I’d wait here for you to see if you wanted anything.”
“Sneaky,” I say with a smirk, swooping in for another kiss wondering again how the hell I thought I could ever leave her.
“Conrad,” she whispers, resting her hand on my cheek and looking up at me through her lashes. “Talk to me. What the hell happened this week? Ellie told me about the drug test.”
“It was all a misunderstanding,” I tell her. “They let me test again. I’m cleared.”
Her nose scrunches up in the cutest way. “Why did it come back positive in the first place? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t know, but Coach is good. I’m allowed to play.” I don’t want to get into everything to do with Palmer. She knows he’s the reason we’re here, and I don’t want her to worry. Dave and I have it sorted. Maybe. I hope.
“And your parents? Ellie said your dad kicked you out.”
Except he’s not my dad. “I’m staying with Dave for now. It’s fine. Less pressure from home.”
“But–”
“I don’t want to talk about them.” I lean in and effective shut her up with my lips. “Come on, let’s go find Sophie and Kody.”
She groans. “I hate this.”
“Hate what?” I thread my fingers through hers as we walk. “I thought you were past lying to yourself about how much you hate me.”
“Hiding you jackass,” she says with a gentle elbow to my stomach. “I wish Brady wasn’t such an overprotective dick.”
I chuckle, spinning her around so she’s leaning back against me. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and rest my chin against her head. “He’s overprotective because he cares, Princess.”
“I know,” she grumbles. “Maybe if you and Tom just talked to him–”
“That’s not the only reason he hates me.” The thought of having to talk to Tom about what went down all those years ago has me sweating bullets. Ellie’s told me numerous times that he knows I had nothing to do with it, but I’m not ready to talk to him–especially now. “As much as I want to set the record straight, he’ll never think I’m good enough for you.” And he’s right. She’s way too good for me.
She huffs and twists around so she’s facing me. “So you’re happy sneaking around? Not being able to touch me?” As if to prove her point, she dances her fingers along my chest and down my stomach. I stop her before she hits the danger zone.
