Fierce(60)

“Fine, but if you don’t, I swear to God I’ll―”

“Yeah, I know, you’ll kill me,” he chortles. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”

After he puts on a casual brown tee, he walks over to me and places his hand on my arm. I liquefy from his touch, even though I want to remain strong, to make a point. He just has this effect on me. I’m the melting candle and he’s the burning flame.

“I’ll see you tonight, okay?” he says, and he smiles sweetly.

He leans forward and looks at me for a second, waiting for my permission. I part my lips, pointing them up to meet his. Shivers run down my spine as his lips brush along my mouth. He leaves a short but scorching kiss, which makes the butterflies in my belly dance.

I don’t want to stop kissing him, but he makes the choice for me.







I study for the rest of the day, but I can’t concentrate at all. I’m way too nervous. It’s only ten minutes until Hunter’s coming to pick me up, and I’m already sweating like crazy.

This party they’re going to sounds scary. If it’s going to be anything like last time, I’ll need someone to back me up, in case Hunter’s going to leave me alone. I’m sure he’ll be too busy with whatever to entertain me.

Especially if he and Jaret are going after someone. I wonder what they’re up to.

I need someone else to come, someone I can really trust with all my heart.

I put my books aside and go to Scarlet’s room. Before knocking on the door I clear my throat.

“Evie?”

“Not here.” Well, it’s her voice all right.

I roll my eyes. “Can we talk?”

“No.”

“It’ll be short, I promise. I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

It’s quiet for some time, but after a while she opens the door. “What do you want?”

“I j-just wanted to ask if you were okay,” I say with a gulp.

“I’m managing.”

I peek over her shoulders and see her side of the room is as messy as it was when she was still bunking with me. “Looks like you’ve settled in nicely.”

“Yeah.”

I don’t really know what to say. She’s really not talking a lot. “How’s things with Scarlet? Can you hold out with her?” I say with a chuckle.

“Scarlet’s quite nice, actually. Sounds weird, I know, but she’s not as bad as we thought,” she whispers.

“Oh, well that’s good,” I say.

Then it falls quiet again, and we’re both staring at each other. She’s tapping her foot, and I’m rummaging in my pocket. This is so awkward.

“Look, I still need my time alone. Could you tell me what you’re here for?” Evie says.

“Oh … Well I wanted to invite you to a party tonight.”

She frowns. “A party? Autumn Blakewood, going to parties? God, you’ve really changed.”

“I’m not like Brody. This is different. I’m not turning into a douche bag.”

“Okay …” she says hesitantly. “So you’re going to that party?”

“Yeah, I got invited, but I don’t want to go without my best friend. I’d love it if you could come, too.” I smile at her, trying to make up for all the things I’ve done wrong in the past, but she barely shows any emotion at all.

“Please?” I add. “It would be really great if you were there.”

She sighs. “I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.”

She makes a face, and closes her door again.

“See ya,” I say, but she’s already closed the door.

Now I feel really bad.

I don’t know what to do to fix this broken relationship. She’s still not ready for us to start anew, and I’m feeling shitty because of it. I feel like I’ve lost my best friend, and all because of some stupid thing called love.

Dammit.

“Hey, you ready to go?”

I turn around and see Hunter standing in the hallway. He comes up to me, puts his arm around my waist, and pulls me in for a kiss on the temple.

“I just need to change into something else first,” I answer.

He pats my back. “Okay, I can wait. It’s early anyway.”

I walk back to my room and go through my clothes, looking for something suitable to wear.

“Why don’t you just put on that same dress you wore last night? It looked fucking amazing.”

I flush, but laugh at the same time when I turn and see him standing in the doorway again. “No! I’m not wearing the same thing twice in a row without washing it first.”

He chortles, the low, manly sound turning all my senses on hyperactive mode. “Too bad. I was looking forward to seeing you stretch that thing to its limit as you dance, and I’m there to watch.”