Page 7 of The Downside of Love
But she doesn’t give me the green light. Instead, she turns away and crosses her arms over her chest. “There is no way I’m going to be able to get over tonight with the way he left things.” She huffs out a frustrated breath and bites her bottom lip.
Fuck, this girl. Colby's an idiot for walking away from her, leaving her at this party for any other guy to hit on. I know why he did, but she's . . . unique. I've never felt such instant attraction, and I know Colby is feeling the same.He deserves her, dickhead. And, if I'm really honest,she wants Colby, so that should be enough of a reason to keep my distance. If I want to spend time with her, it will happen in only one way. When she’s Colby's.Eventually.
I might shoot myself in the head after this, but bro-code and all. “Want me to set up a gathering so you can talk to him?”
Rory whips to my side, disbelief in her eyes. “You would do that?”
I shrug my shoulders casually. “Yeah, why not? We can all go bowling or some shit like that. I won’t tell him you’re coming, and you and Ryan can just show up. That sound good?”
“Oh my God, that would be amazing.” Rory reaches up and pulls me into a hug, squeezing me tight.
And fuck, does my heart hammer into my throat, making it impossible to breathe.
Briefly, I shut my eyes, taking in the way she feels against my body. I memorize her smell. I revel in her small hands pressing against my back. I marvel at the way she can make me feel like such a powerful man with such a tiny hug.
I take my time letting go, not wanting to see her leave my arms, but also knowing if I linger too long, my urge to keep her there might be too damn obvious.
Colby doesn’t want any distractions, and I know him. He mightwanther, but I doubt he’ll actually pursue her. Not this close to the end of school. Not this close to achieving his dreams.
He’s not a man who can have dual priorities. Unlike me.
I won’t encroach, and I’ll still encourage my boy to find some joy in Rory. God knows he deserves someone who brings life to his battered soul. If they work out and it sticks, he’ll be better off. I know that even now. And I’ll deal. I’ll experience every moment knowing I wouldn’t have it otherwise. If not . . .I’ll wait.
I already believe it’s worth it.
Thatsheis worth it.
Chapter Two
STRYDER
Over a year later, a month after graduation . . .
“Hey man.” A strong hand grips my shoulder, squeezing it tightly before pulling away. “At it again, huh?” He takes a seat next to me, gathering the attention of the bartender with a nod and then pointing to the tumbler in front of me.
“Every. Damn. Night,” I slur out, staring at my almost-empty drink.Where else should I be? No one gives two fucks.“What are you doing here?”
“Mom was worried about you.”
I scoff. “Please, she’s worried about her car I borrowed. Tell her not to worry, I’ll take an Uber.”
My mom has lost the ability to care about her children, and all she cares about are her possessions. It’s why I acted like a petulant child and took her car tonight. I’m a fucking graduate from the United States Air Force Academy and yet, I act like I’m still eighteen, rebelling like a little punk.
Rebelling and drinking.
So much drinking.
Trying to forget.
Needing to forget.
It’s what happens when you don’t move forward in your life, when everyone else around you is living their dreams.
“No, she’s worried about you,” Shane, my brother says, taking the drink from the bartender and pulling a little gulp from the glass. “This is the fifth night in a row that you’ve come here and this is the fifth night in a row you’re not going to be able to drive home.”
I shrug. “I don’t mind sleeping in the car.”
“Stryder, come on. It can’t be that bad.”
