Racing for Freedom - By Bec Botefuhr Page 0,8
know, but I wish he was.”
I sigh. “You know why he’s not. I don’t want to hurt him. After that night we had together, I cut all ties romantically. I don’t want to break his heart Pay, he’s such a beautiful person…and I’m not.”
“You are honey, you just don’t believe it. Don’t you have any feelings for him at all?”
“It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have feelings for Lucas, but they’re just not enough. Would I be jealous if he moved on? Sure, but I also want his happiness more. I won’t give myself to someone until I know I’m fully there.”
“You’re a good person Dash, you really are.”
I take her hand and smile over at her. “Right back at you, Pay.”
We arrive at Dean’s house and I smile as we get out of the car and the warm salty wind whips my face. Dean lives right on the beach, his house literally hits the sand. He’s well off, his parents have set him up with everything anyone could ever want and more. Payton takes my hand and leads me up the front steps and into the house. It’s already packed with people. Dean often pulls out some of the best parties.
We walk into the living area, which is large, open and filled with people. There are couples kissing on the couch, people feeling each other up against walls, girls and guys sitting on the kitchen bench, chatting and drinking. I smile and walk in further, when I hear something that makes my skin crawl and my hand tighten so hard around Payton’s that she squeals and yanks it from my grips.
“Dashy, who knew you were coming…”
Slade’s voice curls over me and I shudder, god dammit, where is my luck? I turn slowly, gathering myself enough to make out like him being here doesn’t worry me in the slightest. When I set eyes on him, his gaze has dropped to my dress. Slowly, he drags his eyes up my body and meets my eyes. I’m flushed now and I can feel my lips parting slightly. God, he looks good, why does someone, that’s such an asshole, have to be so god dammed attractive? He’s wearing a V cut racing shirt with short sleeves. His muscles bulge out the side and tense when he moves. He has a dragon tattoo running down one arm, and a racing flag on the other. How original.
I try to stop my eyes from moving down his body to take in his black jeans that do wonderful things to his legs and his heavy black boots. I quickly swing them back up to his face, when a pair of red shoes come into my vision. Ah, it’s Kandee with a K and an EE. I meet Slade’s crystal eyes and glare at him. Why the hell is he here? He doesn’t know Dean…does he? God dammit, can’t I get away from him? Everywhere I go…it’s not like we live in a small place.
“Well, if it isn’t Slade and his candy bar.”
Kandee shifts uncomfortably and flicks her hair to the side, showing off a very pretty neck. Slade grins down at me, his eyes twinkling with humor.
“Trying to hide the fact that you were checking me out with witty sarcasm?”
I cross my arms and lean against the bench. “I like your shoes, so what?”
His grin widens. “My shoes?”
“Why are you here, Slade?”
He shrugs. “A few mates were coming, I decided to join them.”
“You don’t know Dean, so you should leave.”
He leans in close and I press my back against the counter. “Do you really want me to leave, Dashy?”
I look away. “Move off me, Slade.”
“Come on Dash, can’t we even be friends?” he chuckles into my ear.
I shove his chest and he steps back laughing. I turn and slide around the bench and into the kitchen to take four shots in one hit. Then I walk out into the backyard and lean against the railing. My body begins feeling warm and tingly and I sigh with relief. Payton comes out a moment later, followed by Dean. I turn and smile at them. Dean has his arms wrapped around Payton’s middle and his blue eyes are sparkling with love.
“Hey Dash, sorry about Slade. I didn’t know he’d come,” Dean says, smiling at me.
“It’s ok Dean. I didn’t know you knew him?”
“I know a few of his friends, but no, I don’t know him as such.”
“It’s ok, it doesn’t matter.”
“Are you ok? It looked a