The Moth and the Flame (When Rivals Play #2) - B.B. Reid Page 0,42
throwing Lou’s belligerent ass back in a group home or worse…juvie. Either she didn’t realize how much the Hendersons cared for her or she didn’t care. Lou was pretty perceptive, so I knew the answer was likely the latter, and it made my guilt much harder to bear.
“That was insane!” Sonny cheered. “I’m not even surprised that you’ve still got it after all these years.”
I wiped the sweat off my brow and grinned. My heart was still racing, and for a while, I’d completely forgotten what I’d become. Lou was even looking at me like she’d never seen me before.
“Yeah, you really got some moves,” Leo said in awe. And then he sheepishly added, “Do you think you could show me that last one?”
I spent the next couple of hours doing demonstrations all the while keeping a close eye on Lou. I wouldn’t put it past her to sneak away while I was distracted, and I also wanted to make sure the little prick with a permanent hard-on for her didn’t try anything. It didn’t escape my notice that he never left her side for a second. The only reason I hadn’t lost my shit was that the entire time I was out there, Lou only had eyes for me.
Miles was closer in age and probably had more in common with Lou than I did, and I didn’t like that one bit. Was I jealous? Fuck yeah. But who the hell wasn’t possessive of their best friend? Why should I share when others didn’t? It had absolutely zero to do with the fact that Lou got my cock hard. Or that ever since that day I allowed myself to jerk off in the shower to visions of her, I hadn’t been able to stop. Two years I’d been good and kept my thoughts pure, and I guess that a fist full of cum every night was my reward.
Jesus fucking Christ.
“It’s getting late,” I told her when I was finally able to break free. She didn’t respond, and I could tell something was eating her but decided to suspend my curiosity until we were alone. My gaze reluctantly slid to Miles, and I handed over his board. “Thanks.”
He cleared his throat, and he looked like he’d just swallowed nails when he said, “You’re pretty solid.”
“Thanks, man. My ollie isn’t as good as yours, though.”
“When did you see him do an ollie?” Lou interrogated before Miles could respond.
I just stared at her until her eyes narrowed with understanding, and Miles shifted uncomfortably.
Of course, I watched her for a while before I actually approached her. She’d been in her element, happy and carefree. As pissed as I was, I’d been even more reluctant to disrupt her peace. It reminded me that one day, she’d find someone worthy of her, living in a home that could never be broken, and…I’d be forced to let her go. That’s if I lived long enough to see her wed and happy. My lifestyle didn’t exactly promise a long lifespan.
A part of me hoped I was long dead before the day came when she would take another man. That pain would be worse than any death could bring. She wouldn’t be mine anymore, but I’d always be hers.
“You’re right,” she agreed with a sigh. “It’s late.” She said goodbye to Miles and Leo and promised after almost five minutes of badgering, negotiating, and whining, to catch up with them later. I pretended not to notice Miles’s hostile glare when I finally had enough and grabbed Lou’s hand, pulling her away, but I sure as shit felt it on my back all the way to my ride. It made me look at Lou curiously, wondering what she was doing to him when I wasn’t around—knowing Lou, not a damn thing.
This girl was a magnet.
I hoped for my sake she didn’t learn how to wield this power she didn’t know she had anytime soon. I knew if she used it on me, I wouldn’t stand a chance no matter how wrong it was.
“Sonny had some interesting stories about you to share,” Lou announced once we were alone in my ride.
“I’m sure he did.” Just as I was sure that no amount of short responses would deter Lou—she was like a bloodhound on a trail.
“What I don’t understand is why you didn’t tell me any of this yourself?”
“I told you,” I said with a sigh, “I don’t believe in looking back.”
“But you’re not looking forward either. You’re hiding.”