Page 11 of A Little Secret
Pathetic.
Adorable but pathetic.
Oh, who am I kidding? Why does everyone have such a cute relationship except me?
“I knew that was your bike in the parking lot!” Ophelia adds with a squeal.
Mav chuckles dryly. “You really thought I’d let you come here by yourself without me?”
“Mm-hmm.”
She kisses him again as the stranger turns back to Raine. “Now, where were we?”
“You were just leaving,” she reminds him sweetly.
“You sure?” he challenges.
Her eyes lock with my brother’s over her shoulder. “Pretty positive, actually. Right,babe?”
Babe?
Interesting.
Everett steps closer, hooks his fingers through the belt loop on her pants, and tugs Raine into him, bringing her back to his chest as he gives the stranger a death glare. “I think it’s exactly what he was doing.”
It’d be cute if he wasn’t my brother.
To be fair, I always knew he’d be an awesome boyfriend. Even if the title is fake for the time being.
“Another one bites the dust,” the last dumbass taunts, but he doesn’t give me an inch. If anything in his grip on my waist tightens. “And then there was one.”
“Wrong again, buddy,” Griffin says. “This one’s taken, too.”
I stare at Griff, my tongue growing a bajillion times its size as I take in his lopsided grin and easy stance. Like he couldn’t be less intimidated even if he tried. The red fabric of his shirt stretches around his biceps and chest. White-washed jeans hang low on his hips. He looks like the boy next door. Effortlessly sexy with all the time in the world. When I realize I’m most definitely checking him out, mycheeks heat, and I tug my long, black hair over one shoulder. I mean, I’m a red-blooded human with eyeballs. How can Inotnotice he’s sexy as hell? Especially when he goes into fix-it mode with a side of cocky. Like, hello. He’s talented. Respectful. Easy-going. And we’ve played this game so many times. Where he swoops in to play the heroic boyfriend anytime a guy is too handsy or direct. It’s never meant anything. Only an easy out. But it feels wrong this time. Like I’m betraying Drew by playing along.
Am I betraying Drew by playing along?
I don’t…I don’t know. And I hate how I don’t know.
Why’d you have to get in my head, Drew? Why’d you have to make me do this?
Even though it kills me, I shift away from the stranger but keep my distance from Griffin, too.
“Griffin’s right,” I announce. “My boyfriend might not be at LAU, but hewouldcare if he knew anyone here was trying to dance with me.”
“It’s only a dance,” the stranger argues.
“Then I’m sure you can find a different partner.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and avoid Griffin’s astute stare on the side of my face. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Then, I get the hell out of there.
CHAPTER THREE
GRIFFIN
What the hell?
I rush after Finley as she darts through the crowded bar. To where? I have no clue, and I’m not sure Finley knows where she’s going, either. Just…away. From me.