Dirty Little Mistake (Hard to Love #2)

Chapter 20

Camryn

L aying in my bed, I stared silently up at the ceiling. It had been a few days since the Cages, and no one but Kaia would talk to me. I knew I fucked up, but the pain of being exiled from the only family I really had was excruciating. What was worse was that I didn't know how to fix it or if they even cared. Thankfully, I hadn't lost Kaia too.

Picking up my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until Trystan's name appeared. I knew he was angry with me, too, even though we hadn't spoken for him to tell me so. Jax would have told him what happened. I clicked on messages.

I typed out 'I'm sorry,' but then deleted it. I blew out a loud, exaggerated growl. I just wanted to fix this. I wanted things to go back to the way they were.

I scrolled back up my contact list and hit Jax's name. It rang three times before he sent the call to voicemail. I released a long sigh as I ended the call without leaving a message. Jax was in love with Kaia even if he struggled to admit it to himself. When he showed up at the Cages, I saw the fear in his eyes. The fear of losing her. I didn't blame him for being angry with me; I just didn't think he would never talk to me again.

My phone chirped.

Owen: Are you home?

The corners of my lips curved into a grin. Owen was the only one other than Kaia still talking to me. So we'd texted several times a day and even FaceTime a couple of times.

I was lonely.

Camryn: Yes

My heart raced as the bubble popped up, indicating he was responding.

Owen: Can you come outside? We need to talk.

Camryn: On my way

I flew out of my bed, raced down the stairs, and was walking out the front door and stepping out onto the dark porch when Owen swerved his white car into my driveway.

Owen stepped out of his car, and I couldn't help but smile. He was gorgeous in a completely different way than Trystan. Trystan was tall and lean, and Owen wasn't as tall, but he was thick with bulging muscles from his thighs to his massive biceps. He was built like an athlete, and dressed in his usual black joggers, a white team t-shirt, and his black baseball cap on backward.

"Hey." Owen smiled, but it wasn't his normal smile. It felt forced, even a little awkward.

"Hey." I crossed my arms around me as a cool breeze blew through the porch. "Is everything okay?"

"Should we sit?" He pointed to the porch swing, and I nodded. A sense of unease wrapped around me, squeezing so tightly it was hard to breathe.

I followed him to the swing and sat next to him. "What's going on, Owen?"

He cleared his throat, staring into the darkness beyond the porch as he clasped his hands together in front of him. "When I decided to come here, I had no idea what I was going to say, but Jax told me I should deal with my shit."

"Okay," I said, drawing out the word. I had no idea where this conversation was going. I didn't know if this was about the Cages or something else. "I'm listening."

Sighing, he nodded as he twisted sideways to face me. "Okay. I don't know what's going on with you and Trystan, but I like you." All of my anxiety disappeared and was replaced with shock. That definitely wasn't what I was expecting. "I've always liked you, and I honestly think you deserve better than a man who doesn't make you a priority."

"I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know where I stood."

I felt like I owed him more than a 'I don't know what to say.' "The truth is, every time I think I know where I stand with Trystan, everything changes, and we are back to square one, and you're right. I do deserve better, but I don't think I'd make the best girlfriend right now. Not until I figure out what I want." And I wasn't sure I'd figure that out without talking to Trystan.

"So does that mean I stand a chance?" He winked.

I smiled, my cheeks heating. "Yeah." Guilt twisted in my gut. I was supposed to be Trystan's girlfriend, but honestly, if this was how he treated his girlfriends, then I didn't think I wanted to be one anymore. My gaze dropped to my hands in my lap. "So you're not mad at me?" My eyes lifted, meeting his.

His brows pulled together. "Why would I be mad?"

"The Cages."

"Ahh." His eyes widened. He shook his head. "No, I think it was stupid, and I think you put yourself and your best friend in danger, but I don't have any reason to be mad at you."

"Well, you're the only one."

"Jax will get over it," he said. "You know, Jax. He has a hard time processing emotions, and when Kaia texted him saying she was at the Cages and then she didn't pick up the phone, he was scared, which is an emotion I don't think he's very acquainted with."

I laughed. "Especially over a girl." He nodded. "One thing this has taught me is how important all of you are to me." I raised my shoulders. "You, Jax, Kaia, Harlow, Syn... Trystan. You guys are the only family I have, and I don't want to lose any of you."

His gaze met mine. "Regardless of what you decide between us. You've always got me. We are friends, and that will never change. You can call me any time, and I will be there." He paused, the corners of his lips curling into a grin. "If you want to go to the Cages again, I'll go with you."

"I think, for now, I've had my fill of the Cages."

The sky lit up, and a low rumble of thunder followed, drawing both of our attention.

"I should probably get home before it storms." He pushed to his feet. "I guess I'll see you later." He dropped to the first step.

"Yep."

He froze. "Fuck it," he muttered as he spun around. My heart began to race. He stepped into my personal space, grabbed my jaw, and kissed me. My body tensed, not because I didn't like it but because he caught me off guard. His hands curled around my hips, pulling me hard against him until I melted into him. My head spun, and my lips parted as he thrust his tongue in and out of my mouth, sucking the air from my lungs.

He tore his lips from mine, and I sucked in a deep breath. He pressed his forehead to mine, and his masculine scent surrounded me. "Sweet dreams," he whispered against my lips.

He dropped his hands, stepped back, and smirked before disappearing into his car.

My gaze followed his car until it was gone. "What the fuck just happened?"

I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and clicked on Trystan's name.

Camryn: We need to talk.

I made the first step. Now the ball was in his court. If he chose not to respond, then I was moving on.