Page 140 of King Larson
“...that Jake said you’re only a piece of ass to him. Yeah, he told me,” he growls. I flinch at that. Even though Hunter’s more of a pretty boy compared to Jake, the anger in his voice is evident, and it rivals Jake’s intensity. “Healsotold me that you took that bastard’s word over his.”
“I wasdrugged, Hunter. I don’t remember what happened that night.”
“So the first thing you’re told is the first thing youbelieve? I thought you were smarter than that, Leia,” he says, shaking his head in disappointment.
Normally, I would retort. But...he’s right. Jake’s never really given me a legitimate reason to not trust him. Nick, on the other hand,cheatedon me.
Sighing, I run my hands through my hair, unclear of what to do next.I ran the love of my life away.
“What’s done is done, Hunter. I’m pretty sure Jake wants nothing to do with me.”
I look up to meet his gaze, and he’s giving me an amused look. “I think you and I both know therealanswer to that.” I can’t contain my smile anymore. “But if you’re ready to hear the real reason why what Nick said was bullshit, here it goes; Jakecouldn’thave said those things to Nick about you.”
I frown. “Okay...why couldn’t he have?”
“Because that day was the anniversary of his mom’s death. He wasn’t eveninMalibu that day.”
And just like that, I’m convinced I’m the biggest bitch in the world.
I’m at Nick’s door in record time. I shouldn’t be here. He lied about what happened that night.
Did I really sleep with him, though?
It’s all a blur. Clearing my throat, I bang on his door.
Nick opens the door groggily, wiping his eyes. There are a few seconds before his eyes widen in surprise. “Leia,” he rasps. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk, Nick,” I say in the sternest tone I can muster. I might’ve ruined a relationship because of him. He gulps before backing up to let me in.
I walk into his dorm, his bed still messy and clothes thrown around on the floor. It lacks the character and cleanliness that Jake’s room has, but I brush it off. That’s not what I’m here for.
“Leia—”
“Is there a reason you lied to me?”
He flinches at that. “About what?” The look in his eyes tells me he knows exactly what I mean.
“How did Jake and the hockey guys end up at the arena that night, Nick?”
He gulps again before running his hand through his hair. “They said they were coming to do a late-night scrimmage on the ice—”
“Nick,” I retort. “Behonestwith me, for once.Please. What really happened?”
This time, he blanches. He’s staring at me, and it’s worrying me.What’s he hiding?
“I tell you what,” he blurts out. “Let’s talk about this over dinner,” he whispers. Is he serious?
“Nick—”
“I can’t explain everything right now, but I can tell you everything over dinner,” he pleads.
“You can explain right now,” I retort. I’m tired of him luring me places and getting distracted. I’m not even sure I trust him enough to go to dinner with him.
He shakes his head frantically. “I’m not in the right headspace to talk about this. Please, let me take you out tonight,” he says, voice cracking. Something is super off right now. Is he high? His eyes are bloodshot, and his movements are weird. Originally, I thought he’d just woken up. Now...I don’t knowwhatis happening.
“Are you high?” I whisper.
“Leia, please,” he says, ignoring my question.
Sigh. If going to dinner is the only way I’ll get an answer from him, I’ll take what I can get at this rate.
