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It was like a flip switched or something. One minute she’s taunting and pestering, the next she’s experiencing actual feelings. Strong ones. At least it appeared that way, but there’s no actual telling with her. Just this once, I’m certain there was something coming through from back then. She opened the topic, and I still want an explanation. Because even if we can’t go back, I need to understand what happened. Nothing about back then—not her or my mom—makes sense. Yeah, I ran away, but I’d fully expected her to find me. Maybe that’s what I wanted. To know Morgan cared for me because my mom, the person who was supposed to love me more than anyone else, didn’t give a fuck about me. But I thought what I had with Morgan was genuine. It wasn’t. Lies. That was the only thing that was real. And now, there’s even more bullshit between us. But there might be actual truth twisted deep in that conversation. The same truth she’s currently hauling ass from as I follow behind her down the side of the levee.
Once we’re near the bonfire, I remind myself I’m not dealing with the girl from back then. The demon in front of me could push me into the flames and not bat an eye. She’d just make sure to remind me it wasn’t an accident and intended to burn me alive. That might be better than what she’s doing now: serving me a slow, agonizing death.
Her piercing eyes find me as she moves away from the table where she’s grabbed another beer. “Maybe you missed it. Conversation is over, stray.”
I wish it was over between us. But it’s clearly not. “I’m still waiting on an answer. I think that’s the least you can give me after everything you’ve done.”
Her smiling lips wrap around the bottle as she takes a big gulp then repeats, “EverythingI’ve done.” She tilts her chin down a bit before she steps in front of me and looks up. “You have no idea what I’ve done and what I can do. So, do us both a favor and fuck off.”
Wise advice. But I’m glutton for punishment. Obviously. “Can’t. I’m bored.”
Her smile deepens. “I’m sure you’ll have some entertainment soon enough.”
Fuck. I shouldn’t have poked the bear. The drink she has goes in the air as she dances her way to where the crowd is swaying to the music. And in that crowd is Savannah and a very lost and tense-looking Neil. When he spots me, he moves to my side as the girls sway to the music. More than a few guys take note right away, and the one that catches my attention immediately is Lenny. When Morgan looks back at me with her devilish grin, I get the message loud and clear. She will use any and all methods to get a reaction out of me. And she continues to do so, swaying to the music as he moves behind her. She’s barely paying him any attention because her eyes are on me. I already know she won’t give him the time of day, but I wouldn’t put it past her to screw him simply to torment me. The thought alone does already.
She’s right. What the actual fuck is wrong with me? That psycho bitch lit a yacht on fire. She constantly makes me want to put my head through a brick wall. Yet I’d fall to my knees right now and worship her if she wanted me to.
Clearly, she doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stand by and let Lenny put his hands on her.Anyonetouching her would drive me insane. But him—that makes it so much worse. He seems to catch on to her game because when his mouth drops to her shoulder, his eyes stay on me. And even with his lips pressed against her skin, I can see his smile, the same grin he had when he terrorized my best friend.
“Just ignore him, Cade,” Neil tells me, turning his back to the dance floor. I’m sure the fact that Lenny is also dancing around Savannah is a contributing factor. Will the fucker ever leave him alone? Doubt it. Will Neil forgive me if I break my promise? Doubt that, too, but surely he’ll understand. Regardless, I’m already heading in Lenny’s direction when his hand drops to Morgan’s bare thigh. She’s enjoying every second of this shit show, and the smile on her face tells me so.
Lenny looks jittery but doesn’t back off. “Get your fucking hands off of her. Now.”
He laughs, motioning to her. “She’s the one driving this train.”
And all she does is add to it. “Don’t like watching from the sideline?”
Savannah is the only one who looks like she’s not enjoying this and moves to my side before Neil appears. “Let’s go, Cade.”
I feel his hand tugging at my bicep, but I stay in place, the only thing I can focus on is Lenny’s hand moving up Morgan’s hip. When he slips under her shirt, I notice a few things right away: the way she tenses, the way his smile grows, and the surge of anger that flows through every morsel of my body.
My hands grab him before I process any of it fully. His shirt is in my grip as I remove him from her body. “I said don’t touch her.”
He doesn’t fight to get free but keeps a hold on my arms as he lets out a lazy laugh. “She’s the one begging for it, man. Maybe you’re not as good at satisfying her as you thought.”
I keep a grip on him but look to her. Arms folded over her chest, head cocked to the side, smiling face, eyes pinned on me. “She’s using you to piss me off.” I look back to Lenny. “She’d never fuck you.”
“Come on, y’all.” Topher shoves between us, and I finally release Lenny, ramming him back. The dickhead quickly gains his footing and moves closer to Morgan as he tells her, “Let’s show him how it’s supposed to be done.”
He throws an arm over her shoulder and whispers something in her ear. He doesn’t even know he’s digging his fucking grave. He already sealed his fate when he fucked with Neil. Now he’s adding to the pain he’ll get in the process.
Morgan doesn’t respond to Lenny with anything but a flinch. It’s a game to her. All of it. I know how she cringes every time he’s around and every time he touches her. So, I call her bluff.
“Yeah, Morg, show me how it’s done since I’m not good enough to fuck.”
Something I said amuses her as she steps out of Lenny’s arm and closer to me. “None of you are good enough to fuck, just fuck over. But thanks for the entertainment.”
“What the hell?” Lenny calls after her.
But she trails her fingernails over my jaw and walks past me while exclaiming, “I need another drink.”
Lenny finally looks pissed. About time he realizes he was only being used for one of her games. He doesn’t look happy, but he still deserves so much worse. “Stay in your fucking lane. Away from her and my best friend.”
Lenny assumes an air of arrogance as he views Neil. “Seems like she’s the only pussy you’ll fight for.”
“Don’t do it, Cade,” Neil pleads.
“Yeah,Cade. Don’t do it,” he mocks as Neil cowers back while Savannah begs him to walk away. What a clusterfuck, and the instigator is nowhere around.
