Chapter 160
Miguel cut in cool-“We’ll all get our shot if we’re good.” He always
had that patient, even tone.
“No, really–I can do it on my own,” I said, more firm than I felt.
“Might take longer, but it’s the right way. I’m not gonna use some girl
to get there.” I wanted to sound like I meant it.
Keon laughed–one of those open, pissed–off laughs. “That’s bullshit.
You’re amazing. I’d take the shot if I had the chance–don’t give me
that crap, Miguel, you’d do the same.” He pointed at me like I was the
obvious star. “Now, if you’re not into Lexie, fine. But as far as anyone
knows–you already nailed her.”
My face went hot. The truth–what’d actually happened–was ugly.
People assuming I was with Lexie when I was with Aiden was already
fucked up. I didn’t say that. I only said, “I don’t want anything serious
right now.”
Keon cocked his head, suspicious.
“Like you! You’re not dating anyone and you’re fine,” I shot back,
trying to sound casual, like I wasn’t all defensive on the inside.
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Then Keon grinned–awkward, sheepish. “Well, actually…I kinda
am…”
My head snapped up, subtly glancing at Miguel, who was clearly
trying to process the stab in his chest. “No way! Who? I haven’t seen
you with anyone.”
He smiled like he’d been hiding a prize. “Her name’s Iris. We met at a
coffee shop a couple weekends ago. She’s a cheerleader too–not from
here–she goes to Lone Oaks–lives about thirty minutes west of
Houston.”
Miguel snorted. “An hour away? Wow, wasn’t our town big enough?”
Keon shrugged, still grinning. “Nah–she’s moving here soon. Her
dad’s gotten transferred, and she doesn’t wanna commute. She’s
unreal, man. Like, the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
C
I tried to look happy for him. Miguel smiled–small, wounded, but he
hid it. I did my best to keep my voice light. “Good for you, man. That’s
-good.”
Keon clapped Miguel on the shoulder. “You’ll meet her, I’ll bring her
around.”
After class Miguel and I stepped out together.
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Chapter 160
“You okay?” I asked.
Miguel shrugged, face flat. “I was stupid to think he’d ever go for
me… All these years–all these hints I thought he gave me… I followed
him around, passed up other chances for nothing. For him. And now-
now he’s with someone else. Just like that.”
“Shit, Mig–I’m sorry,” I said. “That hurts. You’ll find the right guy.
Someone who actually sees you.”
Miguel let out a humorless laugh. “Forget it. Guys are trouble. They
go for the shiny penny–whoever’s new, better looking, exciting…
eventually no one stays. I think I’d rather focus on myself. Like you-
career, training. Keep my head down.”
I reached over and bumped his shoulder. “Okay–then we focus.
You’re not doing this alone.”
I smiled, while deep inside the same fear lingered because all I was
giving up was for him and, if he ever left me for someone else, it’d
leave me with nothing.
I shook those thoughts, trying to keep it light–Thanksgiving
weekend, long–ass break, time to rest, eat, and show up at The
Dominium’s first pre–Xmas event. I was halfway excited to be useless for three days with Aiden–no alarms, no tape, just him and the weird
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little life we’d built.
My phone buzzed. I grinned, figuring it was Aiden calling from the
house to tease me. But then I noticed a number from home. Shit, I
thought—I’m gonna get ragged for bailing on the “family” thing, not
that we ever had one.
When my mom’s voice came through–soft and already too small–my
stomach dropped out of my body as the entire world caved in.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
