Page 71 of Risky Little Affair

Micah

I wasn’t there.That’s all I can focus on.

He found her. Cornered her. Threatened her.

And I wasn’t fucking there.

But someone was watching out for her. Tate fucking Jacobson. I never thought I’d hear that name again in my lifetime. Not after the shitstorm he started when I was in middle school.

Am I grateful he was there to help her out? Sure. Then again, that cock sucker asked her out before he found out she was mine.

Not that I can blame him. I would have done the same if the situation was reversed.

Doesn’t mean I don’t want to punch him in his dick the next time I see him.

Which, considering Finn owes him a favor now—I’m not sure how his logic was working but it is what it is—I have a feeling I’ll be seeing him sooner than I think.

But today’s not about Tate. Or that asshole, John.

Today’s about celebrating our final moments of freedom before classes start tomorrow. It’s about spending the day with my friends and family. Soaking in the sunshine. Laughing at my dad’s horrible jokes. Throwing Declan in the pool.

Because today is the Palmer’s’ annual Labor Day party and even though Mr. Palmer isn’t here to give one of his famous speeches about happiness, love, and family, the party is still going to be a blast.

“You ready?” Dec asks as he leans against the door jamb, assessing my choice of attire. “What the hell are you wearing?”

Smoothing down the front of my T-shirt, I smile. “What’s it look like? I’m wearing a name tag.”

“That’s some name tag.”

“It’s the best way to let everyone know I’m taken without having to stand on a chair and scream it over the crowd. I like to be a little more subtle.”

Dec's grin slowly spreads as he shakes his head. “That’s what you call subtle?”

“What?” I feign surprise as he walks away but he can’t escape me. Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I follow him down the hall. “Would you rather I make some grand gesture? An announcement? Or maybe get it on in the bathroom loud enough for everyone to hear …”

Declan growls but doesn’t respond. Silently, he swipes his phone off the counter, slips it in his pocket, and heads for the door, knowing I’ll follow since Lex and I are riding with him and Kendall to Oak Harbor.

It’ll be just like the first day I saw her. Really saw her, anyway.

As she climbed into the back seat of Dec’s truck. Looking all sorts of gorgeous. Curves on display. Attitude firmly in check. Avoiding looking in my direction.

I’m planning on a repeat of everything else from that day later on.

Specifically, whispering naughty things in her ear to turn her on.

And now that I’m thinking about it, the bathroom idea doesn’t sound half bad. Because I know the second I see her I’m going to be ready to strip her down and have my way with her. It’s only been three days, but they’ve been the longest fucking days of my life.

She spent Friday working with the professor she’s going to be assisting this semester. Then Saturday she was with the girls at the spa. One last hurrah before classes started. Instead of having movie night tonight, since we’re all going to be at the party, they followed up the spa with a trip to the theater.

Finally, yesterday, her and Piper went to see Lex’s parents. Her mother had called, something that hasn’t happened in a while from what she said. Mommy dearest wouldn’t tell her what was wrong but said she needed to come home.

I offered to go with her, but she knew I still wasn’t in a good place in my head. My anger at her parents runs deep. For not believing her. For treating her the way they did. For basically disowning her as soon as she graduated.

Yeah, probably a good thing I didn’t go with her. I wouldn’t have been able to filter myself. And if she does decide to have a relationship with them anytime in the future, I want them to like me.

That’s a lie. I couldn’t care less. I don’t want there to be any discomfort for Lex, though, and her parents’ disapproval of who she’s with would make things tense.

She didn’t get back until late last night. She texted me to let me know they were home and that she’d see me today. She didn’t mention what happened, and I didn’t push. I know she’ll tell me when she’s ready, and when the time comes, I’ll be here to listen.