I slumped. “Hold on a second,” I called back, rushing to brush the tears from my eyes.
I tugged my shirt over my head and tossed it across the room, so I was only in my bra. “Undo your pants,” I whispered to Slider who quickly worked his jeans open as I moved to the door and flicked the lock. I took a deep breath as I pulled it open and forced an awkward smile.
Leo had his hands hooked above the door frame, it made him seem that much taller, and his biceps bulge against his T-shirt.
He looked down at me, his eyes narrowing as he ran them over my face. “What’s wrong?”
I tried to laugh and shook my head. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Sorry, brother,” Slider said as he stepped out from behind the door, working to do up his pants. Leo stepped to the side as Slider made his way past. “I’ll let you get back to the party, Hadley.”
He patted Leo on the back before walking off down the hallway. I tried to keep my head up, but my chin hung low, and I looked up at Leo through my eyelashes. His gaze steeled, I thought I even caught a flash of disappointment or sadness in his eyes.
“You been crying?” he asked, his voice tense and rough.
“No,” I answered quickly. “Did you need me?”
“Not anymore.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out my panties from earlier that day. He held them out to me, and I reluctantly took them.
I swallowed his words cutting through me like a knife. “Thanks.”
He lifted his chin before turning and heading back down the hall. I leaned against the doorframe, watching him leave. He stopped at the end and I heard an excited squeal, “Leo! We’re doing shots, come on, I’ll be your glass,” Kaylene called to him from somewhere inside the bustling room.
His head turned to the side, the portrait of his strong jawline and face silhouetted in the light. For a second, I thought he might come back. I wished he would.
“Bring the tequila!” he shouted, followed by a loud cheer.
Then he was gone.
I looked down at the panties I held in my hand.
I don’t want to see him get hurt.
I heard Harmony’s voice in my head.
It wasn’t just him, though. We were both going to get hurt if shit carried on like this.
Because the way he just looked at me, I never wanted to see again.