Chapter 24
I managed to escape the guys once I made it home, saying I needed a nap. After a little cuddle time with Briar, who had decided she loved her new palace, I gathered up my bio book and Crime and Punishment and tiptoed down the stairs.
Pausing on the landing, I listened. The faint noises of what sounded like video games came from the opposite end of the house, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I headed in the direction of the back door, thankfully avoiding meeting another person. As I stepped outside, the sea air wrapped around me in a comforting hug. I breathed deeper, letting go of some of the stress of the day.
Grabbing one of the pool towels set out in an artful display, I moved across the backyard until I knew I’d be out of the line of sight from most of the windows. I set down my books and spread out the towel.
There was a bit of a bite to the fall air, being this close to the water, and I was thankful for the sweatsuit Carly had included in my clothing haul.
Just the thought of all those clothes in my closet had a riot of emotions swirling inside me.
Guilt at the amount of money spent was one of the loudest, but more than that, sadness.
Because it didn’t matter how many new clothes Colt bought me. I still wouldn’t fit in here. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
“Hey.”
I jolted at the sound of Dash’s voice.
He gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just saw you walking out this way and wanted to make sure you were all right.”
Sweet, kindhearted Dash. I leaned back on my hands and tipped my face up to the sun. “I’m better now.”
He sat down next to me on the towel. “But not before.”
“Today was a lot.” I didn’t look at Dash. It was easier to be honest if I kept my eyes closed and talked to the sky.
“Prep is kind of a world unto itself.”
“Understatement of the century,” I said, borrowing Sam’s phrase.
Dash’s hands closed around my crossed ankles. The innocent touch had a zing of awareness coursing through me, and my eyes flew open to meet deep blue ones.
“It’ll get better. I promise,” he said.
I sighed. “I don’t fit here.”
A furrow appeared between Dash’s brows. “And you think I do?”
“Of course, you do. You’re one of the Lost Boys.”
He snorted. “Who told you that one?”
“Sam.”
Dash nodded. “It’s a dumb name. And just because I’m lumped in with them doesn’t mean I fit. I’d rather spend time in my greenhouse or go to the gym than end up at some party. The people at school call me the boring one.”
I scowled at that. “You’re not boring.” Dash was endlessly fascinating and never what you expected.
He shrugged. “My point is that none of us really fit. Not the way people think we should. But those same people don’t really know us.”
I guessed he had a point there.
Dash’s blue eyes bored into me. “Do you think Chloe knows you?”
He said her name as if it tasted bad, and I couldn’t help but smile. But his words had me thinking harder. Chloe might’ve been able to get some basic facts about my life, but the truth was what she knew could fill a thimble. That knowledge had annoyance flickering to life somewhere deep.
Dash’s thumb swept back and forth across the bare skin at my ankle. “What is it?”
“I’m annoyed at myself for letting Chloe get to me.”
He grinned. “That’s a hell of a lot better than the pity party that was going on earlier.”
I shoved at his shoulder. “Shut up.”
Dash’s grin only widened.
I plucked up a blade of grass, wrapping it around my finger.
“I think it’s hard because I’ve wanted to belong somewhere for so long.
When my dad was alive, that never mattered because I always had him.
Colt and his dad, too. But after he died, and Colt and his dad vanished from my life, I was alone. ”
Dash might’ve been the only person in the world I’d admit that to. Maybe because he’d laid out his own insecurities so honestly, or maybe because there was a tenderness in him that made me feel safe.
His hands tightened on my ankles. “I know that feeling. I hate that you were living in it for so long. But you’re not alone anymore. You have us.”
“It’s not that simple. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that Colt gave me a place to stay.
But most people don’t want me here. And they’re entitled to those feelings.
” Pressure built behind my eyes, and I struggled to keep my tears at bay.
If I lost it now, I knew I’d end up in a massive crying jag. “For once, I want to feel wanted.”
The deep blue in Dash’s eyes flashed lighter, almost an electric blue. He leaned forward, his hand sliding along my jaw to the back of my neck. “You’re wanted, Leighton. I want you here. And nothing will ever change that.”
My breath hitched as some invisible force pulled me closer to Dash, to this thing brewing between us.
A low growl sounded, and then there was a flash of movement.
I jerked back as a massive dog jumped between us.
“Holy crap!” I shouted.
The husky-looking dog glared at Dash, baring his teeth.
This was so bad.