Chapter 19 #2
“Anytime, babe.” Annabelle grins, nudging me with her elbow, and I shoot her a look. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re as glittery and beautiful as ever. Seriously, though, what happened? You’ve got that crease between your brows that tells me you’re moody as fuck.”
Oh, nothing. Hottie snuck his way under my skin only to drop me like a hot potato, Koen changed me from a functioning alcoholic to a non-functioning dry one, and Captain Bossy made me feel alive after years of numbness, even though I have no idea what he even looks like.
I shrug, trying to keep it vague. “Men.”
“You’re moody over men?” Annabelle snorts, reaching into the takeout bag. “That’s new and usually my line.” She pulls out a box and hands it to me, then takes one for herself. “Here. Eat. It’ll help.”
“How would food help with that?” I ask as I pull my hair into a loose ponytail.
Shrugging, she opens her box. “Food is better than men.” She twirls some noodles around her chopsticks. “Whoever it is, if he’s already making you feel that way, fuck him. I mean, my ex was all ‘I know a spot’ and then brought me to the lowest point in my life.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Men are trash.”
“Yeah, but we love the drama.” She winks at me, then takes another bite. “Spill.”
“I don’t know. I’m just…” I trail off, trying to find the words. “It’s been three days since I hooked up with anyone.” I fiddle with the lid of the takeout box, my appetite flickering.
“Wait, you’re counting?” Annabelle raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “But yeah, that long of a dry spell isn’t like you.”
I snort. “Three days isn’t a dry spell.”
Except she’s right. It is for me. Isn’t it?
I shrug, trying to play it off. “It’s not that I wasn’t looking for somebody. I’ve tried, but…” My words falter as I think about Hottie. The way his touch lingered like an imprint on my skin, and no one else could measure up since.
“But?” she presses, leaning forward like a gossip columnist waiting for the scoop.
I wave her off, forcing a laugh. “But maybe I’m just losing my touch.”
Annabelle gasps in mock horror. “You? Losing your touch? Never.” Then her grin fades, replaced by a knowing look. “Come on. What’s really going on? Did one of them get to you? Like, in a real way?”
Talking about my hookups is second nature to us. No detail too small, no topic too taboo—dick sizes, positions, whether he made me come, or how many times. But admitting it was Hottie? Saying his name out loud? That feels like crossing a line I’m not ready for.
She knows him. Knows him. If I say it, it’ll make everything more real, like admitting that this thing with Hottie is more than just another hookup. And I can’t deal with that. Not when I’m still trying to convince myself he doesn’t matter.
And especially not if he’s ghosting me now.
I shake my head, forcing a smirk. “Please. Nobody’s gotten to me. I’m just moody because I can’t seem to find anyone interesting enough lately. The usual thrill’s not cutting it, you know?”
“Uh-huh.” Annabelle narrows her eyes, studying me like she knows there’s more. “And this sudden dry spell has nothing to do with whoever you were with three days ago?”
“Nope. Just bad luck.” I pop a piece of orange chicken into my mouth, chewing slowly to avoid elaborating.
She doesn’t push, but her lips twitch like she’s holding back a comment. “Well, when you’re ready to spill, I’m here. And in the meantime…” She clinks her chopsticks against my box like a toast. “To trash men and good food.”
I laugh, clinking mine back. “To food being better than men.”
But as I take another bite, the taste doesn’t quite reach me. My mind is still on him, how his touch lingered and made me feel seen in a way I can’t even admit to myself yet.
“Anyway, what about you? Why the Chinese feast?”
“Oh! Right!” Annabelle’s eyes brighten, and she sits up straighter. “I wanted to check on you, of course, but also, I’m here to pack the rest of my stuff.”
Fuck.
“So you’re moving out for good?”
“Yeah,” she says, smiling sadly. “Michael’s coming over later to help me move the boxes. I know it’s fast, but it feels right, you know?”
I force a smile, nodding. “I’m happy for you, Belle. Really.”
She pokes my side. “You better be. And don’t think you’re getting rid of me now. We’ll text, and you can call me. And we’ll still go out for bubble tea and go dancing every once in a while.”
“Sure.” I smile, trying to keep up the tough facade. Deep down, that ache of loneliness is creeping back in, knowing that soon, even that won’t be happening anymore.
The doorbell rings, and Good Lookin’ jumps up, startled, her fur puffing out as she races out the patio door, spooked.
Yeah, I didn’t know we had a doorbell either.
Annabelle laughs, springing to her feet. “Michael’s early!” she says with a smile, practically bouncing over to the door.
I set my takeout box on the coffee table, picking up a napkin to wipe my hands, at least trying not to look like a mess as Annabelle opens the door. The next second, she’s screaming.
What the hell?
My head snaps up, my heart hammering as I push off the couch, rushing toward the door. “Belle, what—” I start, only to freeze as I hear a familiar deep voice chuckle and say, “Nice to meet you too.”
Annabelle opens the door wider, and Levi and Koen step into the apartment. Their presence fills the small living room, making it feel even more cramped.
“The Lane brothers are in our apartment!” Annabelle whisper-shouts, her eyes wide, excitement written all over her face.
I roll my eyes, folding my arms over my chest. “Yeah, I can see that.”
Annabelle looks at Levi, then back at me, then back at Levi again. “I… I’m a big fan,” she mumbles, her cheeks flushing pink.
“That’s so nice of you to say,” Levi offers, giving her a charming smile. “What’s your name, girl?”
While Levi is busy charming Annabelle, Koen steps closer to me, his gaze fixed on mine. “Hey, Little Thief,” he says, smirking at me, but his eyes are cautious.
“What do you want?” I narrow mine at him, taking a step back. “And how the fuck do you know where I live?”
Koen raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms, the leather jacket protesting as his biceps tense. “I followed you after that… fuckup with the car. I wanted to make sure you got home safe.”
I blink at him, my mouth opening in surprise.
He did?
“Why do you even care? Worried about your asset?”
“Worried about you, yes. You looked upset, and I was the reason for it. I’m sorry.”
What is it with today and everyone apologizing?
The words catch me off guard, and a mix of emotions swirls inside me—anger, confusion, and something I can’t quite put a name to.
Annabelle is giggling, and when I turn to see why, I see Levi signing his name on her cleavage.
Oh my God.
I swallow and turn back to Koen, whose gaze is still intent on me.
Trying to maintain my tough facade, I say, “You don’t need to apologize. It was your bossy friend who wanted me to steal that car.”
“Right, but I acted like an asshole, pulling you into that alley and keeping a hold on you there. You were already upset.”
“I wasn’t.” I so was. “I’m fine.”
“Sure you are.” Koen’s eyes search mine.
Right, the lie detector.
Goddammit.
“And since you’re fine and there’s nothing to apologize for, how about we go dress shopping?” Koen reaches out to brush a strand of hair that has slipped out of my ponytail behind my ear, making me shudder at his touch.
What is even happening?
Annabelle clears her throat, her eyes darting between Koen and me. “Sooo… you guys are friends?”
“We’ve met.” I keep my eyes on Koen. “Not sure I’d call us friends, though.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Koen bites his lips to suppress a laugh. “I think we’re getting there, Little Thief.”
I glare at him, but there’s no real heat behind it. “Stop calling me that.”
“Make me,” he replies, the challenge written all over his face.
Levi steps forward then, his eyes flicking to Koen and then to me. “We’re not here to cause trouble. Right, brother?”
“Right, you’re here to take me dress shopping.” I huff, skepticism lacing my tone. “And pray tell, what do I need that dress for?”
Levi glances at Koen again, then back at me. “We’ll explain everything, just not… here.”
“Vague as always. And you know I don’t like that.” I cross my arms tighter, eyeing them both. “So why should I go with you?”
“Because…” Koen steps closer. “You’re already in this, whether you like it or not. And I promise, it’s worth your while.”
I look at him, then at Levi, then back at Annabelle, who’s still staring at the two of them as though they’ve stepped straight out from a movie screen.
Fuck it.
I’ve got nothing better to do.
And it’s not as if I’m committing to anything serious. It’s only a dress, a moment to play pretend. Nothing more. I can handle that. I can still draw the line, stopping it from going further before it could really hurt me.
“Fine. I need a couple of minutes to get ready.”
Levi nods, giving me a reassuring smile. “Take your time.” He walks over to the couch and sits down as if he’s at home, making Annabelle squeal.
“Levi Lane is sitting on our couch!” she whisper-shouts at me, then turns to Levi again. “Where is Pebble?”
“At home. I don’t take her everywhere. It’s too dangerous for her.”
“Right, God, you’re real!” Annabelle squeals again.
I roll my eyes once more, catching the hint of a smile on Koen’s face as I turn and head to my room, where I quickly change into a pair of sweats, figuring I’ll have to get out of them anyway to try on dresses.
I take my hair out of my ponytail, grab some dry shampoo, and give it a good spray, then spritz on my vanilla-candy perfume.
I add a little bit of makeup and glitter lip gloss, hoping it’s enough to appear put together.
When I’m done, I grab my bag and head back out. Koen is waiting outside my bedroom, his gaze flicking over me as I step out. “Let’s go,” he murmurs and places a hand on my elbow, guiding me toward the door.