Page 99 of Soul So Dark

“I do.”Little hellion.“While I’m gone, you’ll kill some time with others who’ll be embarrassingly inadequate, and then you’ll grow up and learn who’s worth your time and who’s not. And then,” I grin, “you’ll realize it’s still me.”

She wraps her arms tighter around my neck and pulls me close. “I don’t want you to leave yet.”

“I’m not,” I say as I lay my head on her shoulder. “I’m sleeping here, in your bed, with you, because you’re my girl.”

Dallas’s cheek tenses against my forehead as she smiles, and I barely feel myself drift off to the beat of her pulse. I don’t think I move all night, my arms and legs tangled with hers and my jeans and boxers still hanging halfway down my ass. It’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.

When I finally wake up, the thought of leaving is agony. Sunlight spills through Dallas’s curtains and when I glance at my watch, it’s only a quarter after seven. She stirs and opens her eyes as I reluctantly peel myself away from her and then she watches in contented silence while I hike up my pants and fasten my belt again.

“Dark Soulstonight?” I ask, plucking my t-shirt off the floor.

“Maybe,” she gives a coy smile, “if I’m not busy.”

As soon as I pull my shirt on, I crawl back across the bed, collapsing on top of her. She tries to pull me back into the fluffy pile of covers, and I’m tempted to let her because the thought of leaving is a fucking drag. But I know I should or else I’ll probably do something I’ll regret in one way or another.

“You better be on,” I flick my finger under her chin as I move to rise.

She finally nods, as if it was even a question, and then I quietly open her bedroom door and slip into the hallway. I guess it’s stupid to scale back down the pergola if no one else is home. But as I start down the stairs, complicated thoughts start to rear their ugly heads.

I’m ready to leave Dire Ridge, but I’m not ready to leaveher.And why the hell is this happening one week before I’m supposed to leave for boot camp? Dallas still has three years of high school left. How would she deal with me being shipped overseas, not hearing from me, and not knowing where I am, potentially in hostile territory? There’s no compromise or middle ground, because this wasn’t part of the plan.

I let out an exasperated grunt as I reach the bottom of the stairs and trudge across the living room to the front door.

“Alex.”

A deep voice stops me in my tracks.

My stomach drops and I look over my shoulder, making every effort to remain calm when all I want to do is bolt. Colson is leaning against the island, staring at me while he munches on a bowl of cereal.

“Hey,” I pivot and veer toward the kitchen. “You didn’t stay with Bryce?”

He shakes his head, “Sunday church,” he drawls through a mouthful of Frosted Flakes, “to ask forgiveness for all the things she did last night.”

Normally, he would want to tell me all about all of them in excruciating detail, but the look on his face suggests he’s in no mood to share anything.

Instead, Colson tilts his head and eyes me suspiciously. “But that still doesn’t explain whatyou’redoing here…upstairs…in my house.”

I don’t even try to lie. What would I even say? Colson blinks, and the second he opens his eyes again, he looks completely different. His eerily tranquil blue eyes now look icy and harsh and he clenches his jaw, making the veins in his neck pop sporadically. It’s a face I recognize immediately, but it’s never been directed at me. Until now.

Suddenly, footsteps sound from above and Dallas appears at the top of the stairs, still in only a t-shirt and underwear. My mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Dallas stops abruptly, her eyes darting between us. Colson stares up at her for a few moments, and then slowly shifts his fiery gaze back to me.

In an instant, he drops the bowl onto the countertop with a clatter and I brace for impact. He hits me like a freight train, but I’m ready and grab him at the collar as he throws one arm around my neck and we both tumble onto the floor. Colson’s taller, but I’m faster and duck out of his arm before he puts me in a headlock. But it’s no picnic; we both know how to fight.

“Colson!” Dallas screeches, tearing down the stairs. “Stop!”

“Stay there!” we both yell at the exact same time, which only incenses Colson further.

I turn away just in time for his fist to slam into the base of my skull behind my ear. It’s better than my temple or my eye, but I need to get behind him to have the best chance of making it out of here with my face intact.

“You fucking asshole!” he snarls. “What the fuck did you do?”

I plant my boots on the floor, pushing against him with everything I have so he doesn’t pin me on my back.

“Nothing!” I bark. “Nothing happened!”

It’s not exactly true, but at least it’s not what he thinks.

Suddenly, Dallas appears behind Colson, clawing at his shoulders, “Colson!” She starts pounding on his back and shoulders with her fist. “Colson, let go!”