“I’m sorry, Wildflower.” With a gentle squeeze, he drops my hand and heads back downstairs.
I don’t look back as I head into the backyard. I don’t respond to the whistles or catcalling when I plop down next to Gwen. The chanting is replaced with cheering when Rome returns, and my cheeks blush when Gwen notices whose shirt I’m wearing.
“What the fuck just happened?” she asks in a hushed tone.
“I’m fucking cursed. That’s what happened.”
Chapter Eleven
Rome
Hoots and hollering erupt when I step outside without my shirt on. I glare at every single one of them, and they shut up immediately. Glancing over at Chrissy, I let my shoulders relax when I find her sitting next to Gwen.
From the pool, Zack lowers his sunglasses and examines his sister, then looks over at me with a thumbs-up. I’m assuming he’s happy I got her to put a shirt on. If he knew how I managed it, I get the feeling he wouldn’t be so thrilled.
I still feel her on my skin. I can still smell her faint strawberry perfume. She was so close, and I could’ve had her. The desire to tangle my hand in her curls and crash my lips against hers was blinding.
Thankfully, Chrissy came to her senses, and she stopped before we both made a terrible mistake. Usually, I can push down my wants, but it’s getting harder. She’s found a way to make me question my resolve. She’s beautiful, but there’s more to her than that. Her positive outlook and ideals are unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I’m drawn to her; I want Chrissy all to myself, and there’s no avoiding that.
“That was quick, Carter.” Malik punches me in the shoulder with a gross wink.
“Shut the fuck up,” I growl at him.
My eyes land on Ash, and he tilts his head. He excuses himself from a group of people and walks over to me while wrapping a beach towel around himself.
“You look like you’re about to explode. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” I grab a hard seltzer and pop it open.
“Where did your shirt go?” he asks while eyeing me.
“Chrissy has it,” I say before downing my drink in under five gulps.
Ash’s eyes widen when he looks over at Gwen and Chrissy. Before he can question me further, I save him the breath. “I got tired of these perverts eyeing her like a piece of meat.”
“She had her own shirt,” he chuckles.
“I acted without thinking,” I respond, trying to calm my emotions.
“There’s something you’re not telling me.” And there he goes.
Ash isn’t stupid. Life would be a whole lot easier if he were.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I try to throw him off the course he’s on, but he’s locked his sights in.
“You like her.”
Hearing it out loud stings. Only because it means my feelings for Chrissy are stronger than the facade I try to maintain. I can no longer hide the way I feel for her. My demeanor has started to betray me.
“Even if I did, nothing can happen.” My posture starts to relax, and my fury from earlier starts to diminish, but something worse takes its place.
“Why not?” Ash whispers.
Nodding toward Zack, Ash looks over and sighs.
“There’s a reason Chrissy didn’t tell Zack about Miles. I can’t do that to him. He’s my best friend.”
“Zack is protective. There’s no doubt about that. But you’re a good guy, Rome. I know he’s your best friend, but thatdoesn’t mean you should ignore your feelings. What if you end up regretting this decision?” Ash’s words strike a chord, but as much as I want to take his advice, I can’t.
