The walls start to close in on me like it does sometimes when I’m in over my head. Jumping off his bed, I slam his bedroom door behind me. I need time to think.
Kai knows I won't wander far, and it's not because I don't have my car at the frat house.
No, it's most definitely because he's crazier than pig shit, and would just bring me back here kicking and screaming.
Letting my feet guide me, I head toward the porch. I've lived in the South all my life where it's common knowledge that a house has to have a back porch no matter how big or small it is. This one in particular is my favorite, it's where I've gotten some of my best ideas.
The leaves of a weeping willow fall over the ledge of my rocking chair. What my stepbrothers don't realize is that they’ve made me desperate. I'm like a caged animal trying to claw its way out of its prison.
My patience is worn thin, and I need an escape plan. My heartknows that it's working on borrowed time. The day is coming when my heart will be laid bare at their feet and they'll wind up crushing it sooner rather than later.
One thing I've learned from my mother is that when things get too hard it's time to run. Which in theory isn't a healthy way of looking at things, but who cares. It’s the right thing to do in this situation.
"Presley?" Gunner's deep voice sends a thrill straight to my labia.
"Can we not do a lecture tonight?" I keep my voice cold.
He growls. "What the fuck were you doing? I mean, really, Chad Connor? I've taken shits better than him."
Gunner rarely shows his sense of humor, but I won't reward him by cracking a smile even though I think his petty comment was funny. "Was that necessary, Gunner? There's nothing wrong with what I did, and I'm done with apologizing for being young."
His stare is hotter than the sun in July, but I still won't look at him. Moving to stand behind me, he pulls my hair gently at the nape.
Reluctantly, I allow him to bring my gaze back to his. "Why are you being a brat?"
"Because I can."
Bending down, he kisses my forehead. "The Chad Connors of the world don't deserve you. Nobody does."
"That's not your decision to make, and not that it's any of your business, but I'd already decided against doing anything further with Chad."
His voice turns husky. "Why?"
Because he's not you. Or Kai."We didn't have chemistry."
"That's not the only reason."
"It's the only one that matters."
"Tell me."
"No." My skin heats as his blue eyes turn wild. He's not use to my defiance, not like his brother is.
"Do you want to know what I think?"
"I do not."
"Oh, I think you do, Little Lamb. You can fight it all you want, but you know to whom you belong. No one else will ever do."
Gunner can shove his riddles up his ass for all I care. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Don't go yet. Will you sit with me for a while, please?"
I nod. Grabbing my hand, he sits down and pulls me onto his lap. “Gunner what are you doing?”
He sighs. “I don’t know. You drive me past the point of insanity. Let’s just enjoy each other. Okay?”
Laying my head on his chest, I don’t argue. Moments like this are rare enough, especially when it comes to Gunner who’s married to his job. I miss him when he’s away, but I’ll never tell him that. The lines are already too blurred. The sooner I move on the better it’ll be for all of us.
