Page 40 of Wild Embers
“I’m trying to shower! You two are the ones who barged in here!” Blake shouts back.
“Well then…finish up.” I wave my hand in an angry dismissal.
Levi smirks, winking at Blake as he turns to leave. He gently shoulders past me, then calls over his shoulder, “Oh, I’m sure she will. See you later, Butterfly.”
I follow him out, ignoring the hard-on in my jeans, and slam the door shut behind me.
Levi slips his shirt back over his head. Once we’re in the hall, he spins on his heel, a smirk on his face and a knowing look in his eye.
“Are you going to deny it?” He questions with raised brows.
I cross my arms over my chest. “Deny what?”
Levi sees right through me. He always has. “That if I wasn’t there, you would’ve gone right there and fucked the daylights out of her.”
“I wouldn’t.”
He scoffs, shaking his head. “Right. Me either.” His tone lets me know he doesn’t believe me.
He’s not alone. I don’t believe my claim either.
“She’s clearly into Santiago,” I say by way of excuse.
Levi looks like he’s chastising me. He knows it won’t work, but he tries anyway. He’s acting like I’m a little child he caught in a lie.
I keep the focus on Santiago.
“If she’s a one-night stand, I’ll tie him to my hitch and drive,” I threaten.
Levi sighs through his nose. “You know he wouldn’t do that to her. But he’s probably willing to?—”
I cut him off, knowing where he’s going with this. “Don’t say it. Blake isn’t a trophy we can pass around.”
“Not pass. Share,” he corrects.
“No,” I assert.
At least…that’s what I believe.
I’ve never questioned Levi or Santiago's ability to love differently than I do. It doesn’t bother me. It never has. I just can’t imagine myself wanting the same thing.
Then again, I’d never imagined wanting Blake this much either.
Levi challenges my position. “What if that’s what she wants?”
“And how would you know? Did you ask?” I challenge him back.
Levi places his hands on his hips, narrowing his gaze. “Are you opposed to sharing, or are you opposed to the idea of being with her at all? How long are you going to fight it?”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not fighting anything. There’s nothingtofight.”
Levi shakes his head like he’s disappointed. “You go ahead and keep believing your own press.” He deflates a fraction, and his voice gets softer. “You don’t have to be miserable, Walk. You could?—”
As he speaks, a thought occurs to me.
“Did something happen between you and Blake?” I ask as if I’m accusing him of murder.
“I thought you didn’t care,” he accuses back.
