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My crew and I are ready to make the next move, and I'm also thinking about the moves I want to make on Mia. There’s nothing like a good fight to get you juiced up, and I’m going to soothe the shit out of her once I've taken her to the ER to get her head checked out. She needs her head checking for wanting to be around me. How had I got so lucky that she’s now defending me? It wasn’t so long ago she’d be the one kicking my ass. The longer she hangs around me, the more at risk she is, but staying away from her is my death sentence. So, we work with what we've got, which is a fuckload of trouble and growing feelings.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ¦ WARNING
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Mia
Cold air clouds around my head as the nasty nip bites at my hands. Winter is a vicious little bitch. I don't find it ironic that I've forgotten my gloves the day the weather decides to break into the winter snap. I'd assumed that running would warm up parts of my body. It does. Just not the hands. And I'm sure that I forget that little fact each year. I'm not a fan of Boston winters. They're too harsh, too long, and hold too many memories as Dad decided to leave us with a lasting impression in the dead of winter.
People seem to love the snow, and I really don’t understand why. It's cold, wet, and turns to a mush when it's done, a mush that makes people hobble around like newborns. This run already feels good, but that's because I haven't run in so long, what with life becoming so busy. Lectures are hard, assignments are hard, juggling Austin with everything is impossible, add in Harry and Zac and it makes it a full plate. I crave a quiet life, but I know being with an elite means that I will never have that peace again.
As I approach the boathouse, the butterflies that always flutter burst into my chest. There’s no denying he’s got his clawsinto me, but I’m keeping them exactly where I want them. I slow my pace. I can play it like he's disturbing my run, I know that he will like the banter that comes with our interaction. I don't see him or his crew. The doors are open, and the boat is on the water, waiting, so they haven't gone out. I don't hear the music or their grunts of pain as they push themselves on the rowing machines. As I slow down, basically walking past their house, I spot the paper near the boat that is waiting for them. I smile and bend down just as a shadow moves over me. "So, you're–"
“Hello, Mia.”
I instantly snap up to my full height and turn, coming face to face with Zac.
"I remember that smile... and I can still feel your lips on mine."
I step back again. He counters. How the hell does he know about Austin's paper boats? What am I thinking? He knows everything. But I don’t remember kissing him. I hadn’t…
I realize that he's pushing me closer to the water’s edge. Icy tendrils slither through my chest, closing around a heart that had been warm only seconds ago.
Shit. Where the hell is the crew? Has Coach got them doing extra drills? If I run, will I make it?Where the hell will I run to? If I make it inside the boathouse that puts me in further danger, especially if the crew are also hurt.
"I really wouldn't flatter yourself. I've never smiled at you the way I do for Austin," I sneer.
I see flickers of something dark within the storm clouds. "That's a lie!" Lightning flashes.
I'm not sure it's wise to anger him, but I really don't know what else to do. I step back again but I'm running out of ground before the drop into the water. The lightning I see still flashing in his eyes reminds me of the date I'd stupidly agreed to.
He'd hounded me.
Pushed me, even in a fake charming way. I'd held out on him for a whole year with the hope that once I'd had a few drinks with him, he wouldn't persist anymore. How wrong I'd been. I'd been too drunk. I've never been that drunk in my life, but somehow, I'd ended up that way on this one date. I don't trust what I don't know...
He lifts his finger and slides it across my cheek. "You know you want me. You can't lie..."
I shake my head. He's deluded and dangerous. I can't seem to find the words to tell him to back off. The effect he has on me, that quick lick of cold that latches onto my throat and cuts off all oxygen, concerns me.
What do we do about him when he constantly pushes our boundaries? If Austin sees this, he's going to lose it, and I don't know how to stop him from losing his position on the rowing crew. I don't want him ruining his life because I can’t handleZac fucking Hall. “Step the fuck back!” I spit. Finding the courage because I know Austin will do the same for me. How badly has he hurt them?
"You weren't saying that before..." he murmurs.
The charm does nothing but build on the bile sloshing around my chest. "Before?" I swallow, barely holding back the scream that's reaching up my throat, choking me.
I'm not safe here.
He's cocky.
He’s violent with the boys, I don’t doubt he will do worse to me.
But this level of fear he's creating within me isn't right. Ifearhim.
I fear him like I’ve never feared anything in my life.
"You wanted to fuck me that night."
His hand catches my jaw, forcing me to look at him. It allows me to see his next move. He leans down. The closeness. Thosestorms that smile wickedly makes something click angrily in my chest.
