Page 91 of Wicked Lord

“Call me Conrad.” He winked, bringing a scowl to Killian’s face. “Have all you boys been struck by the love bug?” My dad jerked his chin toward Cordelia right as Gage yanked her into him before she stepped on the football someone left on the lawn. “I see you’ve got your own beautiful girlfriend, Gage.”

A loud laugh burst out of him. “Not in a million years.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “He’s not worthy of my attention.” She glanced in my direction before returning to my dad. “Thanks for having us, sir. I’m Cordelia.”

“Mama Vanderhart!” Slate ran toward my mom and grabbed her in a bear hug. “Have you given any more thought to adopting me? I promise I’ll be your favorite son in no time.”

She patted his head. “You already are my favorite.”

As everyone chatted away and grabbed refreshments, Cordelia ambled toward me and sat in the chair on my right.

“Hi, Axel. I hope you don’t mind that I came.” She lacked her usual confidence, and there was something a little sad, maybe vulnerable, about her.

“Of course not.” I patted her shoulder, the move awkward when everything used to be so natural with us. “Weren’t you supposed to spend the fourth with your dad this year?”

She sighed and brushed purple strands from her face. “That was the plan, but he had a last-minute work thing, so I practically begged Killian to invite me.” Cordi smoothed her dress and then nervously tapped her thighs. “I didn’t want to be alone.”

“I’m glad you came.” I should have been elated that she was here, but something felt off.

Cordelia wasn’t the one currently consuming every thought.

Did Lorelei hate that she came?

Was she jealous?

What the hell was wrong with me? This was exactly what I wanted, right?

Cordelia chewed on her bottom lip and studied me for a few moments. “I’ve really missed you, Ax. I feel like I never see you anymore.”

I swallowed hard at her somber tone. Had she finally realized I was more to her than some fuck friend? Was she ready to admit she had feelings for me?

“I’ve just been busy with practice and things…”

“You mean busy with your girlfriend.” Cordelia gave a dry laugh. “When we stopped hooking up, I thought we’d still be friends. You never call or text me anymore. We might as well be strangers.”

Was this fake dating thing really working, or was Cordi just lonely?

When school started and everyone returned to campus, she’d have plenty of options to pass her time. If I crawled back to her so quickly, she might freak out and push me away again.

Was I just making excuses?

“Hey, babe.” Lorelei appeared by my side and handed me a cold beer. “You looked thirsty.”

As I turned to her, a pang hit my chest at the dullness in her eyes when she smiled. I hated that damn fake smile. “Thanks, Lore. You’re the best.”

“Of course I am.” She passed a cup to Cordelia. “Try some of Gigi’s punch. It’s delicious but strong, so be careful.”

Cordelia’s mouth formed a little O as she took the drink from Lorelei, unfamiliar with the sorority girl’s hospitable side. “Thanks. That was oddly nice of you.”

“You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you, Cordelia.” Jeremy dragged a chair close to her and sat, running his hand through his wind-blown, dark blond locks. “Are you still saving a spot for me in your harem?”

She giggled, and I grew queasy. “I don’t know, Jer. There might be an opening, but you’ll have to work hard to show me how much you want it.”

The mischievous grin pulling at my brother’s lips reminded me of every guy at Stonewall lusting after Cordi.

“Oh, I want it, Cordi.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.