Loving War(27)

Chapter 9



KODE



“You suck,” Corbin says, frowning at me.

I glance at the door again, still waiting on Tria to come in. I only left her house an hour ago to run home and change, then get to Silk in time for Maverick’s birthday party.

“Why?” I drawl, trying to feign interest in my cousin.

“Because after you left, my damn badass streak came to an end. I had a triple bogey on the thirteenth, and a double on the fourteenth. Then I hit the damn thing into the water on the fifteenth. I think you were my good luck charm.”

Laughing, I finally look over at him. “Sorry. Had something important come up.”

His eyes narrow suspiciously, and he stares at me for a minute. “You dating someone? Because you’ve been acting different lately. And you’re not sulking over Rain anymore.”

Rain is the last thing on my mind these days. It’s as though all of my other feelings have been stripped, laid bare, and finally exposed as what they are. She’s my friend. For the first time since I was a kid, I see Rain just as she sees me.

Tria wants me. She lets me touch her, hold her, do whatever in the hell I want to with her badass body. And she kisses me like I’m the only thing that matters every time I’m with her. There’s no hesitancy in her touch. And she’s not waiting on someone else to take my place.

It feels damn good to be wanted by the person you want. It’s also a feeling I’m not accustomed to, but quickly getting addicted to. I feel high every time I’m with her.

“Hello,” Corbin says in an exasperated tone. “I asked if you’re dating someone.”

Shrugging, I turn my attention back to the door. “Not yet.” It’s not a lie, per se, but it’s also not the truth. Maybe after the wedding happens, Tria and I can discuss something more serious. I don’t want a real relationship until I don’t have to hide it, and until we sort through what’s going on between us, we need to keep it quiet.

“Rain is running late,” Dane says with a pout as he joins us.

I used to feel the jealous rage course through me when he relayed any message from Rain, but now… nothing. It’s actually amazing to feel… free.

“Why?” Corbin asks.

“Raya showed up at her house. Kade… Man, Kade’s in a bad place right now. He’s taking his grandfather’s death hard. Rain called Tria, so she’s on her way over to help out. She might stay with Raya so that Rain can come and be here for Mav’s party.”

Shit. Why didn’t she—

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I quickly pull it out to see I have two unread messages. Well, hell. I guess she did try to tell me.

The first one is from twenty minutes ago, essentially relaying everything Dane just said. The second is from right now, and it’s her saying she’ll try to come see me if Raya gets to feeling better.

“Should we go talk to Kade?” Corbin asks.

Dane shakes his head, blowing out a harsh breath. “Nah. Wren, Rye, and Tag have this. They’re not coming tonight because they’re up at the vineyard, doing what they can to piece Kade back together. He keeps lashing out at everyone. I think Raya just needed a break. She’s a hell of a lot stronger than most people.”

“No,” I say, sighing. “She just loves him a hell of a lot more than people realize.”

I’ve seen the way they both look at each other, so I’m surprised Kade is pushing her away right now when he needs her the most.

The talk of death goes away the second Maverick walks through the door, and we all yell surprise in unison.



***

TRIA



Raya is fast asleep on my bed. She finally cried herself to sleep. After Rain left to go meet the guys at the surprise party, I brought Raya to my house.

I’m not as good with consoling as Rain is, but I’ve done everything I knew to do, including calling Brin and Ash over to help me.

“She’s asleep,” I say with a sigh as I head into the living room.

Ash smiles softly while taking a sip of water. Brin and I both grab the wine bottle we’ve almost finished off.

“No wine?” I ask Ash.

“I wish. But no. Tag rode with Wren and Rye out to the vineyard, so if Melanie calls with an emergency for Trip, I need to be stone-cold sober.”

“Are you worried there will be an emergency?” I ask, concerned.

“Always. It sort of goes with the territory of being a mother.”

I grin at her before getting comfortable on the couch next to Brin.

“You can head to the party,” Brin says, nudging me with her shoulder. Ash doesn’t know about Kode, so Brin doesn’t elaborate.

“Nah. I’ll stay in case she wakes up.”