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"I mean, I'm not completely crazy," I mumble. Obviously, I'm going to let him do them. I just have to figure out how to keep Keegan from ever finding out. It's the only way this doesn't end in disaster.
"High five for dirty things," Gemma says, holding her hand out for me to slap.
I do, and then I bite my lip. "I still think quitting sounds like a viable option."
"Yes, well, that's because he hasn't done enough dirty things to you yet." She flashes me a devilish grin. "Stick around long enough and you'll change your mind."
Maybe she's right. Or maybe I'm just desperate enough to be his that I'll latch onto any excuse to justify sneaking around with him. Either way, I've made my decision.
I'm seeing this through, even if it destroys everything.
Chapter Five
Coby
Three hours after Elodie leaves for the day, Keegan pops his head into my booth. "I'm out for the night, fucker. You going to be here much longer?"
"Nah. I'm just finishing up some shit, then I'm heading home," I murmur, my eyes on the sketch of the woman in front of me. I promised Colter Bayliss, a member of the Silver Spoon Falcons, that I'd draw it up for him. It's his wife, Leia. Normally, I advise against getting significant others inked on your body, but I've been in Silver Spoon Falls long enough to know that love doesn't work the same way around here. The divorce rate is next to nothing.
Everyone claims it's the water. I think people around here are just batshit crazy. Forever means something to the people who call this town home. They fall hard and fast, and they don't give a shit who knows it. Guess I fit right in because it took me all of five minutes to fall for Elodie. Once she has my ring on her finger, she won't be taking it off.
"Does Elodie seem off to you?" Keegan asks damn near on cue.
Fuck my life.
Keegan has been my best friend since he moved to town. I don't relish the thought of lying to him about his sister. I'd rather tell him straight up that she's mine and that's just how shit is going to be. But I'm not stupid. I promised Elodie I wouldn't do that.
If I go back on that now, she's going to kick me to the curb so fast my goddamn head spins. I won't have a chance to convince her that she can't live without me. I won't even have a chance to explain. If I thought she was icing me out before, it won't even compare.
Her brother is her idol. For a long time, he was the only person she could count on in her life. He raised her, put her through college…worked his ass off to provide for her while their father was drowning himself in a bottle of liquor. His opinion matters. A whole helluva lot more than mine does right now.
Until her heart is mine and I can convince her to see shit my way, I have to play by the rules she set. I can't tell him.
But that doesn't mean I can't lead him to the truth another way.
"Maybe it was first day jitters. Or maybe she was hiding something. Who knows?" I shrug like I have no clue. She's going to fucking murder me if she finds out what I'm doing but fuck it. I need her like I need air, and I need her to realize that I'm not going to play fair or go slow or any of that bullshit where she's concerned. I'm all in. She's mine. It's time she realizes it too.
I've spent two months letting her ignore me because I thought she hated me. I know different now. We aren't going back to that. She gave me the green light today, and I'm not slowing down. I'm not stopping. Until her heart is in my hands and she's wearing my ring, I'll play as dirty as I have to play to ensure this ends with her life tied to mine.
"You think?" Keegan narrows his eyes, considering the prospect.
"You're the one who thinks she's acting weird."
"She's been jumpy."
"Maybe it's nerves."
He spears me with a hard look. "She spends as much time here as we do, motherfucker. She's never nervous. But she's been acting fucking weird for weeks now. I don't know what the deal is, but something is up with her."
"Maybe she has shit on her mind."
"Like what?"
Like the fact that she wants to fuck your best friend.
"How the fuck should I know?" I lie, shading in Leia's lips on the page in front of me.
"Hell, I don't know." He blows out a breath. "Just do me a favor and keep an eye on her, will you? Let me know if you notice anything?"
"I'm not spying on your sister for you, man."
