Kinsley’s face grew furious. “The hell you don’t. You’re the asshole who wanted to use her as a fuck buddy, so if I were you, I’d figure out how to fix that first. Vann is not that way. You should know that better than anyone.” Kinsley and Sawyer guided Vann out of the bar, and I watched as they swung through the doors.

“Guess you fucked up that one,” Z said, his hand clamping down on my shoulder.

“Fuck off.”

“What did you say to her?”

“None of your business,” I growled, taking off toward my office.

Z laughed, calling out, “Good luck getting yourself out of that one.”

Plopping down on my chair, I looked at the mess all over the floor. There were papers, pens, and everything else. My mind raced as I remembered Vann spread out for me to feast on my desk. She was the sweetest woman I’d ever tasted.

My God, the way she moved with me was amazing. I felt each time she spasmed and watching her come was amazing. The way her face flushed and body convulsed. I wanted, no needed, more of her.

Damnit.

“Where the hell have you been?” My mom yelled as I walked in the door.

“I was at Vann’s.” I’d pulled myself together before coming into the house knowing my mom would be pissed I left the house.

“All you do is hang out with that girl.”

“Don’t need to worry about that anymore, Ma. She left.”

“Isn’t it amazing how people leave you? Sometimes I wonder what’s wrong with you that everyone has to leave, and I have to suffer for it.”

I’d gotten used to my mom’s ramblings about my brother’s death being my fault. She’d told me many times that it should have been me and not him. At this point, I’d agree with her. I knew better than to respond to her, as that’d only make it worse.

“First, you kill Jaxson, and now Vann left you. Must be your karma. It’s a bitch, isn’t it? All this is your fault. If you wouldn’t have let him swim that day, he would still be here and everything wouldn’t be falling apart!”

Turning to go to my room, I needed to get away from my mom. Lately, the words she spat at me had been getting worse and worse. I wasn’t sure how much more I could handle.

Shutting my door, I fell face first onto my bed. Reaching in, I grabbed the key strapped around my neck. As I rubbed it, the tears free fell from my eyes, and I wished I could disappear forever.

Reaching underneath my shirt, I grabbed the key and pulled it out. For some reason, I didn’t want Vann to see it, which was why I wouldn’t let her take off my shirt. I’d held this key for so long it’d become part of me. I wondered, though, if she would even remember it. She left it behind … just like me. I thought we would pair well together.

Vann

My head hurt—pounding and throbbing pain surged through it. Rolling over in my bed, I pulled the blankets over my head. The light made it unbearable. I must have forgotten to close the blinds before bed. Last night’s events came rushing back like a tidal wave. All the drinking, dancing, Deke getting pissed, fucking Deke on his desk …

“Rise and shine, sunshine!” Groaning at Kinsley’s voice, I wished she would disappear.

“Time to get up, Vann, you’ve slept the whole day away.” Sawyer’s voice of reason rang through.

“What time is it?” I choked out.

“Four.”

“God …” I needed more sleep.

“Here, I brought coffee.” Sawyer handed me the steaming cup as I sat up in bed.

I pulled the covers off, blinked repeatedly, and grabbed the mug. “Thanks Saw.”

“All right, spill it,” Kinsley said, jumping on my bed next to me.

“Damnit,” I growled, almost spilling my coffee.

“You’re fine. Spill.”

Sawyer crawled up next to me and lay down, while Kinsley laid on the edge of the bed. “Look girls. I had a moment of weakness. I got caught up in the moment and screwed Deke.”

“Obviously. But what happened? And how was he?” I stared at Kinsley not wanting to answer, but did anyway.

“The sex was amazing. It’s what happened after that tore me up.” Blowing out a deep breath and taking a sip of my coffee, I continued, “He said he wanted to keep fucking to work me out of his system, just like you’d overheard at the bar. I blew up.”

“You sure were drinking tequila like water.”

“Kins, I know you tried to stop me. Thanks.”

“It is what it is. We got ya home safe, that’s all that matters, but we gotta talk about this.” Kinsley’s voice took on a deep level of concern.

“What?” I asked, thinking it was about Deke.

“You kinda drank a lot last night … like your mom does.” She whispered the last part, but it didn’t stop the shock that roared through my body.

“What? You think I’m an alcoholic like my mother?” I argued, staring at Kinsley and trying desperately to make heads or tails out of what she was saying.

“No. I’m not saying that. It’s just … you need to be careful so you don’t end up that way.” Sawyer’s calm voice was soothing.

“I’m not an alcoholic,” I said adamantly.

“We don’t think you are. We just want you to be careful.” Sawyer grabbed my arm and gently rubbed it. I knew they meant well.

“So, how big of an ass did I look like?” I must have been a huge one to garner all this talk.

“Well, I only saw from a distance as I couldn’t help but dance with that hot ass cowboy.” Sawyer’s big smile cut across her face. “Anyway, from where I saw, it just looked like you two were talking. You stomped off, and then Deke grabbed you and kissed you. And let me tell you, that was a hot kiss.”

“I actually don’t remember much after the kiss,” I said.

“You pretty much broke after that,” Kinsley said, rolling on her back.

“What do you mean broke?” I asked.

“Crying … a lot of crying.”

“In front of everyone?” I gasped, embarrassed.

“No, I shielded your face. No one saw anything. The real waterworks didn’t start until we got home,” Kinsley added.

Breathing out a sigh, I said, “Well, at least I didn’t make an ass of myself crying over a guy.”

“I knew it was coming soon, the way you were pounding the drinks.” I stared at Kinsley as I took a sip of my coffee.

“So, what are you going to do?” Sawyer asked.

“Didn’t you ask me that same question back when I first got here?” I smirked.

“Sure did. Now it’s a bit different.”

“I can’t believe I slept with him.” I grabbed my head with the hand not holding the mug. “I mean, I do believe it … but I was thinking it was more than sex. But obviously not to him. I’m just not built like that.”

“We know. I told him as much.”

“What did you say to him, Kinsley?” I asked with a touch of anger in my voice.

“I just told him that he fucked up, and you are not the type of girl to be anyone’s fuck buddy. I also told him that he should have already known that.” Kinsley threw her arm over her eyes. “I also tried to stop him from coming after you and Marc. He proceeded to tell me that you were his, and then left without another word to me.”

“I’m not his. I will not be his the way he wants.” I could hear the touch of venom in my tone.

“We know. The way he went about his was fucked up.”

“No shit. I don’t know what I’m gonna do. This was not what I had in mind when I came back here.” I tried biting back the tears that were attempting to escape.

Kinsley put her hand on my leg. “You knew it wouldn’t be all roses and butterflies with him.”

“I know, Kins. I just didn’t expect this …”

I could tell Sawyer was done with this conversation. “Come on. Get your ass up and let’s get something to eat.”

That night, thoughts of Deke kept me from any semblance of a good night’s sleep.

11

Vann

“Would you come out of there?” I heard Sawyer yell through the door. “You’ve been locked in there for three days. Come on!”