“Austin!”
“How about …” She leans over the table. “I dare you.”
“Not gonna work, sweetheart.” I give her a threatening smile.
She looks at the guy she called Myers and smiles at him. “You’ll play with me, right?” she asks, placing her hands on her hips.
She looks like a fucking doll dressed in a short, black tulle skirt and black t-shirt that reads BIRTHDAY across her chest in gold letters with her favorite pair of black heels. She’s worn them before while I fucked her. Her long hair is down and straight, and her eyes are lined with black. And red fucking lipstick.
I promise, there’s not a guy in this house who doesn’t want to play with her—my toy.
He takes a step back up to the table. I grip his shoulder and yank him back. “Everybody out!” I shout.
They all turn toward the door and run out. All but Deke and Becky.
Austin pushes her right hip out and picks up another red Solo cup. She drinks it.
“Just what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I snap.
“Why are you even here, Cole?” she asks, ignoring my question.
I step to her, and she tilts her head back to look up at me. “Was I not invited?” I ask, arching a brow.
Her green eyes hold mine for a long second before a drunken smile grows across her face. “I already told you once, Cole. I no longer care what you do.”
The door opens, and I spin around to yell at them to leave, but Bennett and Shane walk in. Then Kellan.
She picks up another Solo cup and begins to drink it as well.
“You’ve had enough,” I snap and yank it from her hand.
Her green eyes narrow on me. “That’s it,” she snaps. “I’ve tried to be nice …”
Kellan’s laughter cuts her off.
She glares at him and then returns her attention to me. “I’m done. Done letting you all boss me around like I don’t have a say. Being told what to do and how things are going to be. And all these secrets. Well, guess what? I have secrets of my own.” She smiles at me. It’s not soft or inviting. “I’ve got insurance too, Cole.”
“What are you talking about?” Kellan asks nervously.
“Every time we’ve been sitting at the clubhouse and you all thought I was playing around on my phone, I was really recording you.”
“Shit.” Deke chuckles impressed.
“So go ahead, push me a little more and see what I do with all that information.” She shoves me out of the way and goes to storm out, but I grab her upper arm.
“You’re bluffing,” I say. She has to be.
“I am?” She tilts her head to the side. “Wanna take that chance, Cole?”
My eyes narrow on her as “Go to War” by Nothing More starts to play in the room.
She jerks her arm out of my hold. “I didn’t think so.” With that, she walks out.
Shane runs a hand through his hair. “She has to be joking.”
“Doubtful,” I say. She’s a shark just like us, after all.
“What the fuck?” Kellan shouts. “This is all your fault.” He points at me. “You wanted to bring her in. You wanted to fuck her. And you kept secrets from her.”
“Me?” I demand. “You gave me a dare to fuck another girl when you knew we were together.”
He snorts. “You were never together. You have forced her along this entire time.” He reaches for the closed door. “And now she’s gonna fuck us! Just like I told you she would!”
Bennett and Shane both turn and follow him out.
“What do you want me to do?” Deke asks as Becky runs out after her.
“Nothing you can do. I fucked up.” I should have just come out and told her the truth in the beginning.
He sighs heavily. “You could tell her about—”
“She doesn’t wanna hear about that right now,” I interrupt him.
“Why did you come, man?”
I turn around and face him. “Why wouldn’t I?” I snap.
He runs a hand through his hair. “Are you trying to piss her off?”
“No!”
“Then maybe just give her some time to cool off,” he offers.
“It’s been two weeks. How long does she fucking need?” I demand.
“I don’t know what you want me to say.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Or what you want me to do. Fuck! You two are going round and round in circles and not getting anywhere,” he growls. “You hated her. Now she hates you …”
“I never hated her.” I wanted to destroy her. There’s a difference.
He sighs heavily. “I … don’t know why you can’t just tell her.”
My heart starts to pound in my chest. “Tell her what?”
“Come on, Cole? Playing dumb with her may work, but it’s not going to work with me. I’ve known you all my life.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And?”
He steps into me, eyes narrowed. “And I don’t know why it’s so fucking hard for you to be a man and tell the girl you love her.”