Page 64 of The Holiday Clause

She glared up at him, fury and humiliation burning through her veins like poison. “You’re not the boss of me.”

Andy stood, brushing dust from his jeans. “I’ll take her home.”

Slowly, Greyson turned to face his friend and growled with lethal quiet, “Do you have a fucking death wish?”

“You’re being a prick, Grey. She’s graduating. She can do whatever she wants. Lighten up.”

Greyson literally seethed, tension crackling off of him like electricity, as he turned back to his friend.

“Grey, it’s fine.” Wren caught his arm before he could advance. Violence coiled beneath his skin. He was going to kill Andy. “I’ll go get Soren.”

“I want you both out of my house.”

Andy scoffed. “You’re ridiculous. If you’re gonna be that fucking territorial over some kid, maybe you should date her.” With that, he grabbed his jacket and stormed off, leaving the air thick with unresolved tension.

Greyson wouldn’t look at her. “Grey?—”

“I don’t want you around my friends anymore if this is how you’re going to act.” He glared at Wren, his blue eyes dark as wet denim and his mouth firm with disapproval. “What were you thinking?”

“I was just having fun. Nothing even happened.”

“Your fun leads to trouble.”

“He didn’t even kiss me.”

“He’s lucky he didn’t. And you’re lucky I stopped him when I did.”

Her confusion turned to anger, alcohol making her bolder than usual. “Lucky? Is that what you think I am? What are you even doing, Greyson? This isn’t about Andy. Whenever any guy comes within two feet of me, you turn into a complete caveman. Why?”

“Andy’s three years older than you.”

“What does that matter when I’m an eighteen-year-old adult?”

“It matters when you’ve got no experience, and you’re drunk and leading guys on!”

“I wasn’t leading him on!”

“I know how you are when you get like this.”

She staggered back as if he’d physically struck her. “When I get like what?”

“You show up here, looking for attention like a pick-me girl?—”

She slapped him before she even realized she’d lifted her hand, the crack echoing between them like a gunshot. Her palm stung, but not as much as her heart.

He glared at her, a red mark blooming across his cheek. “I can’t do this with you anymore.”

“Do what? The only thing you’re doing is making me feel like a whore when I didn’t even do anything.”

“You need to find your own friends.”

The space around her heart seared like molten metal as she looked up at him, stunned that he would say such a thing to her. He was supposed to be her friend, her safe harbor in every storm. “What happened to you?”

“I grew up. One day you’ll understand.”

“No, I won’t. I don’t care how old we get, Greyson. We aren’t meant to outgrow each other. Our bond’s deeper than that.” Tears burned behind her eyes. “If you hate it here so much, why did you come back?”

His mouth formed a firm line, jaw clenched with unspoken truths.