Lincoln’s dad, George, watches me the entire time I collect my things, and I politely wish him a good night.
Lincoln waits until we’re alone again before he says, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
The problem is, he didn’t.Ikissedhim. I got lost in the moment, and I kissed him. And it was a mistake I don’t intend on making again.
“You don’t have to leave. I won’t bother you again or speak to you, but don’t feel like you have to go home if you don’t want to,” Lincoln says.
“I’m okay, Lincoln, thanks,” I assure him and open the front door to step outside.
“Butterfly,” he says softly, and I hesitate. My eyes drift to his hazel ones. “I am sorry about everything.”
“I know, but it doesn’t make what you said simply go away,” I reply and walk away, tears filling my eyes at the memory.
Chapter 12
Adrian
“Lookwhohasreturned,”Gabriel announces, making Valentina snicker next to him.
“Look who’s still an idiot,” I reply, frowning at him.
“Oooh ouch. Must have not gone well,” my teammate whispers to my sister loudly enough for me to hear.
“Your face hasn’t gone well,” I say, but Gabriel gives me an unimpressed look.
“He’s resorting to immature rebuttals. It went worse than not well.” Valentina studies me for a moment before giving her fiancé an agreeing nod.
“Definitely didn’t go the way he was hoping,” my sister chimes in.
“Where’s Leonard? I thought he was coming to hang out with us tonight,” I say to change the subject.
The thought of Nevaeh and I almost kissing but getting interrupted is as exciting as it is disappointing. I’ve never wanted to taste a woman as badly as her because there must be something I discover about her that’ll turn me off. Maybe she’s a terrible kisser. Maybe her mouth on mine isn’t as intoxicating as I think it will be. Maybe one kiss will be enough for me to move on from this fascination I have with her.
“I’m here. Sorry I’m late, I was laughing at Adrian getting rejected and had to catch my breath,” Leonard replies, a slight lift to the corner of his mouth that is basically a full-faced smile for him.
“First of all, I didn’t get rejected. Second of all, I didn’t know grumpy assholes were capable of laughing,” I say, so he wraps his arm around my shoulders before threatening to cut off my air supply by placing his forearm to my throat.
“What was that?” he asks, and I burst into laughter.
“Nothing. Jesus. I know your wife is a trained fighter, but don’t listen to her. Violence isnotthe answer.” This makes Leonard chuckle a little.
“Don’t worry, I’m way too fucking sore from training to kick your arse in anything but bowling,” Leonard says and steps to the side to stretch his back.
“You should take it easy, mate. You’re at that age where you could easily injure yourself,” I tease, and Gabriel chuckles while Valentina bursts into laughter. My heart beams at the sight of their amusement, knowing I put it there.
“Yes, ha, ha, I am old. Guess what, tick tock, arsehole. Time stops for no one,” he says and pats my shoulder.
Valentina and Gabriel are crying-laughing at my dropped jaw, and, as much as I try not to, I join them anyway.
Fuck, I love all of them so much, it scares me.
Do I really want to add another name to my already long list of people I care about and am scared to lose? Because of a woman I met three months ago?
No, no I don’t.
Chapter 13
Nevaeh
