Page 26 of Far from Destined

“Okay,” Dakota said, clearly not believing her friend. I didn’t either. Paris had an agenda.

“I’m all clean!” Joshua shouted and then slammed the door behind him. It echoed in my brain, and I jumped, knocking over my glass of water and nearly falling out of my chair.

Everybody was silent for a moment before Joshua walked back into the room. I did my best to calm my breathing, to fist my hands on the table, to try to think. But I couldn’t. All I could hear was Hazel’s scream. Feel the blood pouring out of my chest as I gasped for breath.

Joshua was talking, and Nate said something, but I couldn’t hear anything past the ringing in my ears.

Dakota looked at me and then down at her phone. I didn’t know what that was about, but I couldn’t focus on anything. When she stood abruptly, it sent me nearly over the edge again.

“Okay, Joshua, it’s time to go,” she said tersely.

Everyone looked between us, and nausea filled me. She was leaving. I had scared the fuck out of her again. And now, she was leaving and taking her son with her. She said her goodbyes, and I wasn’t sure if I even said anything back. I hugged Joshua when he came to me, but I barely remembered any of it.

Then she left, practically running out of the house with her kid in her arms.

I just sat there, lost in my memories. In my pain.

I wanted her so fucking much. But I couldn’t have her. I wasn’t good for her.

And the secrets between us? They weren’t going to make anything easier.

They never did.

Chapter 7

Dakota

I tooka sip of my wine and looked at the man across the table from me. He had a frown on his face, the little line between his brows prominent.

I didn’t see Macon scowl as much as I used to. Or maybe I had been doing my best not to study his face. Something seemed wrong, and perhaps it was what we were doing together tonight. Not that I had any ideawhatwe were doing.

“I’m sorry Paris and Myra pushed you into this. We don’t have to stay long.”

He looked up at me then, blinking as if he hadn’t been paying attention. Well, I knew this wasn’t a real date, but I still felt a little stung by the lack of interest. Not that I wanted him to be interested in me, but he could at least pay attention when I was sitting right in front of him.

“No, it’s no big deal. Sorry. Just had a long day at work.”

I held back a grimace and played with the stem of my wineglass. “We don’t have to stay. You’re the one who told Paris that we needed to figure out this whole friendship thing. But if you’re going to sit there and not want to be here, maybe we should just go home and call it a day.”

He stared at me for a minute, his frown deepening. “I’m fine just where I am. Maybe we do need to figure out this friendship thing, though.”

“I’m confused,” I said honestly.

“Well, so am I,” he growled.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling as if I’d lost part of the conversation.

“I guess I should be asking you that question. I’m surprised you even came out tonight. Or agreed to anything, what with you being so afraid to be near me.”

I shook my head. I had no idea what he was saying. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“No, I don’t.” I paused. “Macon. We may not always get along, but that’s for other reasons.”

“Other reasons.”

I barely resisted the urge to throw up my hands and growl. “I don’t know what I’m saying.”