Page 49 of Needed You

Me: What are you doing?

Lycan: Nothing much. You?

He’s always so into starting a conversation.

Me: Just got back from my parents. I had dinner there with them and Lindsey.

Lycan: Aren’t you the spoilt one? wink emoji

This joker.

Me: I’ll take it. I’m not afraid to be “spoilt” every now and then.

Lycan: So you’re a princess?

I chuckle.

Me: I said every now and then. Most of the time I like to do the spoiling. wink emoji

The three bubbles open and close a few times.

Lycan: I’ve noticed.

Me: Will you be at The Copper Exchange this weekend?

I’m hoping he says yes. I want to see him.

Lycan: Why, Lev? Hoping to bring me home and have your way with me?

Me: I wouldn’t be opposed.

The dots dance a few more times. Then they stop. Then they dance a few more times. And stop. My heart is pounding in my chest, and when they start again, my dick jumps at the thought of having this man in any way.

Lycan: We’ll see.

We’ll see?! That’s all he has? Sometimes his flirting is so frustrating. What do I even say to that?

“We’ll see,” I say out loud to myself with a scoff. And I’m at a loss. I rarely get tripped up, but I don’t know if it’s just Dare or something about the thought of having him under me—or over me for that matter—but I’m speechless. I smile to myself.

Me: Good night, Little Lycan.

I click the button to shut off my phone and connect it to the charger. Still smiling, I roll over and fall asleep.

Chapter 26

Darian

Little Lycan.

He gave me a nickname already.

I think I know why Lev chose that, but I make a mental note to ask him sometime. Whatever the reason, I have to admit that I love it.

After his last text, I fall back into my bed with a stupid-ass smile on my face and try to go to sleep. He’s going to be at the bar this weekend, and that sends a tingle down my spine. It also means that even if Ryan and Katie aren’t able to go, I’m going to go anyway. It’s always a lot more fun when I’m with my friends, but I’m sure it can be fun with Lev, too. Lots of fun.

The next morning comes too quickly, and when the monotony of the day is done, I feel a pull to go to the inlet again. Sometimes it’s the only way that I can feel close to Nate, unless I go to the graveyard, and I’m not in the mood to be that solemn today. I grab a bag of pretzels and some water, get in the car, and make the short drive. There’s no one else there, like usual, and I park my car in the middle of the lot and roll down the windows as I turn up my music. Then I lay my seat back and close my eyes, letting the feel of the area surround me.

Nate and I were close. Sure, we fought like all brothers do, but we had a bond. Our mom used to tell us how excited Nate was when he found out she was going to have another baby, and from the day she and our dad brought me home, Nate was protective over me. He used to call me “buddy,” and that was solely his name for me. No one else could use it, or he would get mad and tell them they weren’t allowed, like he had trademarked it for him and only him. I was his buddy, and he used it to refer to me up until the day he died.