Smug Bastard - Stacey Marie Brown Page 0,21

her.

But the tension didn’t dissolve; it actually seemed to thicken through the air.

“I’m gonna go to bed.” She stood up, Goat leaping to his feet at her movement, staring up adoringly at her.

“It’s eight thirty.”

“I’m tired and my ass hurts.” She spun around, striding back to the van, grabbing her stuff to get ready for bed.

“Night,” I muttered loud enough for her to hear, but she didn’t reply, taking water from the stove to brush her teeth and wash her face.

Sighing, I laid back, staring up at the stars. Pulling out my phone, I clicked on a name, needing to feel a tether.

Me: Hey, man, just checking in.

Chance: Everything’s fine. Pixie ate your flowers, but what did you expect planting them along the fence? You really JUST checking in?

I scoured my face, feeling like the dude could see right through me.

Me: Having a moment.

Chance: I get it, mate. You know I do.

He did. The only one who truly understood.

Me: Well, thanks for watching my place again.

Chance: You’ve lived in it for like a month and still is empty. Nothing to steal… I looked.

Me: Ha Ha. You couldn’t steal shit from me, even in cards.

Chance: Ah, still lying to yourself I see.

Dots came up, telling me he was still texting.

Chance: Know you aren’t alone. I tell my girl everything, but still there are things she’ll never totally understand.

Me: Yeah. Thanks, man.

I shut off my cell, tossing it on the blanket. I folded my arms under my head. The ground was lumpy and jabbed into my back.

Sleep, no matter if I was in a bed or on the hard ground, was hard to come by lately. My mind didn’t shut down, which was the routine I had for years.

But with the beautiful night sky blinking over me, I forced myself to empty my mind, relax, and take it in. Appreciate the clean air and view.

The freedom.

My lids blinked open, the warm sun already streaming over the earth. I groaned as I rolled onto my side, my muscles and joints popping from the jarring terrain and lack of true sleep. Several times during the night, I jolted awake, not knowing where I was, imaginary clanks and bangs ingrained in my mind like a soundtrack.

I rolled my neck, trying to ease the stiffness, when my gaze landed on a pair of lean legs, halting my lungs. My attention drifted from the pair of trainers up the smooth, toned calves, to the tiny running shorts, bare stomach, and sports bra, to her face, still red and sweaty.

Her hair was in a single braid down her back, like it used to be all the time when I knew her. A cup of steaming coffee in her hand, Kinsley sat on the bumper of the van, favoring her good side, staring over at me. Goat lay on the ground next to her, panting, looking like they both went for a run.

“Hey.” My voice was scratchy as I pushed myself up, a nerve in my shoulder making me flinch as I stretched.

She took a sip, her lips pressing together.

“Something wrong?”

“No.” She lowered her gaze.

Okay.

“Go for a run?” Hello, Captain Obvious.

“Yeah. It helps me clear my mind.”

“How early were you up?” I got on my feet, stretching up.

“A couple of hours.” She shrugged. “Didn’t sleep well.”

You and me both.

“Next time wake me up. I’ll go with you.” I ambled toward her.

“I don’t need a bodyguard. I’m fine on my own. I can take care of myself.”

My feet didn’t stop until I was right in front of her. “I didn’t say you couldn’t…” I leaned closer, her pupils widening slightly at my intrusion. “I like running too. Wanted to go. Is that okay?”

“Y-yeah.” She swallowed roughly, and I backed away, heading for the stove, turning it back on.

She stood up, brushing her running shorts, her toned stomach pulling my gaze. She was petite in frame, but athletic, smaller chest than I usually went for, but plenty to make me want to rip the sports bra off and see how they filled my hand. How they tasted against my tongue.

Fuck! Stop it, pervert. I growled under my breath, dumping the instant coffee in my cup.

“I was thinking my choice today would be Monument Valley?”

“Yeah. Fine.” I poured in the hot water, not looking up.

“O-kay.” She set her empty cup in the wash bucket. “Everything all right?”

“Peachy.” I repeated her response from the other morning. My gaze hit hers before going back to my mug. I knew I was being a jerk,