Page 14

T he club is crowded.

Blair grips my wrist tightly, following Rose’s lead as they navigate through the crowd. Loud music blasts through the speakers; the harsh, blinding lights hit my eyes a couple of times. The air inside is stuffy, and it reeks of alcohol and sweat, and I could swear someone’s having sex in one of the corners.

Rose pulls us into a booth, sitting down. With a sigh, I take off my coat, put my small purse on the table, and skim the crowded club. Blair’s by the bar, ordering us God-knows-what, but I’m not complaining. After the game, I desperately need to get buzzed.

“You alright?” Rose yells, her voice reaching me over the loud music. My eyes snap toward her, and the train of thought disappears from my mind. I toss on a smile, albeit a fake one.

“I’m alright,’’ I yell back. “Just a bit nervous. Haven’t been in one of these since… well, since Wyatt.’’

Rose’s mood sours at the name, and she gives me a curt nod. Blair returns, holding three glasses of gin and tonic. The moment I taste mine, my body relaxes significantly. Given that Blair usually treats me like a child, I’m surprised that she bought me alcohol, but I’m too busy drinking to question it.

My brows narrow as I sip, then I put the glass on the table. In a far corner, I can see my brother. Granted, the club belongs to Arlo and me, which is how I got in without being twenty-one, but it’s still a shocker to see him. It’s not his usual scene.

“Does he always follow you around like this?”

Blair raises a brow, then glances over her shoulder to where Arlo’s standing with a man. The two are engaged in a conversation, neither of them noticing the stares from Blair.

“Yes,’’ she chuckles, crossing her legs and flicking her hair backward. “At times it’s a bit too much, but when we both remember the shit I went through, I’m thankful for his… stalking tendencies, you know? He’s just worried.’’

“Obsessed,’’ I correct.

“Is there anything wrong with that? I happen to like his obsessive personality.’’

“I can tell,’’ I snorted. “Otherwise, I doubt you’d be putting up with him.’’

Blair laughs, but her eyes are filled with affection and adoration for Arlo. Everyone can see just how much they love each other, and as sick as it makes me, I am happy for them. They’re the definition of soulmates, if such a thing exists.

“Where’s your man?” Blair asks Rose, switching the subject. Rose fiddles with the ends of her hair, sighing.

“Prison.’’

I blink. “Still? I thought he’d be out by now.’’

She groans. “He was supposed to be out next month. Then he had to go and kill an inmate, and well, safe to say I have no idea when he’ll get out.’’

My mouth drops open. “Excuse me? And you didn’t tell me this, why?”

She lifts a shoulder, downing the rest of her gin and tonic, then waving her hand for the waiter to bring another round. Her eyes drift between the floor, Blair, and me.

“You were busy with the game and the whole Cove thing, and I just didn’t want to bore you.’’

“Bore me? Where’s this coming from?”

“Truth be told, I just didn’t want to talk about it. I still don’t want to; I’m trying to process that man’s sheer stupidity.’’

Blair snorts. “Alright, no talking about James, then.’’

“Yes, I do think we should focus on Aria and Cove.’’

The waiter brings another round, replacing it with the empty glasses. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. From time to time, my eyes drift to Arlo. I can’t see who the other man he’s speaking to is, since shadows fall right on his face and it’s hidden by the darkness, but I know it’s not Cove.

I’d recognize his body anywhere.

If Arlo and Cove are alright again, then I’m sitting here, hoping that he’d show up. If they aren’t, then Cove definitely will show up just to piss off Arlo. I’m not sure which is worse, because both scenarios could potentially lead to the two having a fistfight.

“There’s nothing to tell,’’ I shrug. “Given that the bastard Micah opened his mouth, I think everyone and their mothers know what Cove and I did back at the forest.’’

Blair tries to cover up a laugh with a cough, whereas Rose is outright laughing. Both of them lean in closer, the loud music forcing me to raise my voice while talking. Both of them are eager to hear more, and my brow twitches in annoyance.

“Alright, fine. I’ve had feelings for Cove for a while, and when I confessed—’’

“Wait, you confessed?! When?”

I give Rose a sharp look, and she slams her mouth shut. “As I was saying, I confessed to him while drunk, then we both pretended it never happened, and we haven’t spoken that much since. He’s quiet as it is, so I’m not too upset over that. But then he hugged me. He actually hugged me. And well, then he fucked my mouth in the forest, and I haven’t heard from him since.’’

“And… you’re not bothered by that?”

“No,’’ I responded almost too quickly.

Blair’s eyes narrow at me, and Rose scoffs. She sips on her gin and tonic and doesn’t stop glaring at me. The more she watches me, the more my perfectly built facade starts crumbling.

The truth is — I am bothered. I’m upset. I didn’t expect anything grand from Cove, but I also didn’t expect to just… be tossed aside. Now that I know Arlo and he got into a fight and he’s disappeared for a few days because of it, I should feel better.

Instead, I feel even worse because he didn’t deem me worthy enough to tell me he’d be gone.

It angers me because despite not being Cove’s closest friend, we run in the same circles, so I have heard about his reputation. He’s had many one-night stands; however, for around a year , he’s had this one girl he’s been sleeping with.

From what I know, it’s just casual. But it’s making me pissed beyond words.

Because, as delusional or as audacious as it may sound, I want him to break off the arrangement he has with her and be with me.

“Fine,’’ I sigh. “It does bother me, alright?”

Rose smiles softly, watching me as I drink more and more. “Of course it does. You act like you’re all cold and heartless, but you have a big heart, Aria. You have so much love to give, and I’m just afraid you’ll give it to the wrong person.’’

“Says the girlfriend of a serial killer.’’ I snort, and she flicks my forehead. I rub the sore spot, giving her an amused look. Rose rolls her eyes but doesn’t comment on it.

“Aria,’’ Blair calls and I shift my attention to her. “Don’t look back, but—’’

And that’s enough for me to hear.

I turn around, looking at the entrance of the club, and I swear I can physically feel my heart sinking to my feet. My brows furrow, my hand fisting to my side. Both Blair and Rose are trying to call me over to turn back around, but I don’t listen.

Cove’s here.

There’s a bruise on his right eye that makes my blood boil. I’ll definitely have a word with Arlo about that. Bruise aside, he looks okay. His lip is a bit busted, but it seems to be healing well. However, that’s not my main focus right now.

Neither is the fact that he looks delicious. His hair is prettily styled, slicked back with a little amount of gel, two front pieces falling over his eyes. He’s wearing a basic, plain, black cotton shirt, and it hugs his body perfectly. His muscular arms definitely catch the attention of a lot of people here.

On his left side is a girl.

And fuck me, she’s pretty.

Mid-back long, blonde hair, perfectly styled in some loose waves. A pretty emerald dress and gorgeous legs. Is he into blondes? Is she his type? Is she his fucking girlfriend? Because no matter how many women he’s slept with, not once was he publicly seen with any of them, not even the girl he’s been fooling around with for the past year.

“Aria, don’t,’’ Blair warns, but it’s too late.

Before she can grab me, I’m hopping off the high stool and making my way toward the two. I’m angry. I could kill a person with my bare hands right now. I push past the crowded area, trying not to trip myself over people dancing.

Cove’s gaze lands on me, and for a moment, shock and confusion flash behind those hazel eyes. It’s gone by the time I’m standing in front of him. His eyes flicker all over my body, lingering on my stockings — more specifically, on the little bow on the lace.

“Bunny,’’ he greets, his voice low.

“Aria,’’ I correct, “my name is Aria.’’

“Yes, I’m aware,’’ his brows narrow at me, dangerously for a brief moment, then something akin to realization dawns on him. His lips tug into a faint smirk, and that just invokes a wave of fury to rush through my veins.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I state, folding my arms in front of my chest, “I thought you’d be gone for a while, hm?”

The tension in the air is palpable. From the corner of my eye, I spot Arlo staring at us. He seems ready to jump in if needed. He definitely noticed the rigidness in my body and the sheer anger I’m surrounded with.

The girl isn’t stupid, either. She notices the tension and slowly backs off, walking toward the bar area. I don’t focus on her, though. My eyes don’t leave Cove. He tilts his head to the side, giving me another head-to-toe glance.

“Are you upset with me, bunny?”

I wish I could control my reaction. His voice sends chills down my body, and I’m forced to close my eyes for a minute, trying to calm my inner whore down. It’s too easy for him to make me forget about everything, and I hate it.

“Upset? No. Why’d I be upset, Cove?” Sarcasm drips from my tongue, and I give him a pointed look.

Cove smirks, but it’s barely there. He takes a step forward, noticing my not-so-subtle glance at the bar. The girl he came with is there, sipping on her drink and watching us with mild amusement on her face. That just pisses me off more.

“I’m not sure,’’ he murmurs. “But don’t worry, bunny. She’s just a friend, and not that it matters because we aren’t exclusive.’’

I clench my jaw and get on my tiptoes, inching closer to him. My lips barely touch his ear as I whisper.

“Oh, sweetheart. Not exclusive? The moment you decided to shove your cock in my mouth, we became exclusive. Unless you want to attend the pretty girl’s funeral, I’d suggest you tell her to fuck off. Because if I tell her, who knows what might happen? My finger might slip, and I might accidentally pull the trigger.’’

Cove’s entire body tenses.

“You wouldn’t kill her, would you?”

I make distance between us and give him a soft, sweet smile. “Oh, I would. You want to know why? Simply because I fucking can. Don’t test me, Cove. I’m not the one to play games.’’

I straighten up his shirt a little, patting his chest. My hand tingles as I touch him, but I shove the feeling to the back of my head, trying to ignore it.

“Now, go and have fun with your friend. But just remember what I said, alright?”

I don’t give him a chance to respond as I turn around and walk back to Blair and Rose, feeling his eyes burn a hole at the back of my head.