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"I tried to talk him out of the joint But he insisted There’s also a h that wasn’ttattoos When he’s older, with kids of his own, he’ll never be able to tell the like a hypocrite"

"I wouldn’t tell them to say no I’ll be a cool ass dad"

"See now, everyone says that, until they have children," Frankie explained "Your priorities will change, I guarantee it"

I glanced up at Jared when he had no response to her state towards the house, an expression of frozen panic on his face

I kneho it was before I turned to look My hands fell fro a tattoo

"Fuuuck, he’s going to kill me," Jared said softly

Tristan had arrived, and he was striding towards us with a look on his face I’d never seen before

CHAPTER TWENTY

Tristan didn’t even spare old had never looked so icy

He barely paused when he reached us

"A word, Jared," he said tersely, striding right past us

Jared ran a hand over his daht "Wishhis brother

"This is an unfortunate develop the brothers stride away

"He wasn’t supposed to be here," I defended

"You’re right I wonder how he found out about you guys being here together"

"You think he came here because so job tonight, right? So up together is the only thing that comes to mind"

"But I don’t even know anyone here Who would have told him?"

"It looks like me and Dean are the only possibilities, and I didn’t rat you out I’ll be getting hell for that later, by the way"

"Fucking Dean," I said darkly

"Fucking Dean," Frankie agreed "They’ve all been friends since they were kids, but I can’t stand Dean He’s always rubbedway He’s just too slick You’ll notice he disappeared right before the shit hit the fan"

It was several ain, and this tio?" I asked hin of Jared

Tristan crouched down near the edge of the pool, looking meaner than I’d ever seen him

"He went home Can we talk, Danika?"

It was the tone he used, as h me I’d never seen him like this

I an to climb out

"Hey Tristan," Frankie called out, her voice friendly "I didn’t expect to see you at this thing"

"Hey, Frankie It’s pretty apparent that nobody did" As he spoke he helped me out of the pool

"Do you have a towel?" he asked, his tone still as hostile as I’d ever heard it

I shooka little numb

"Are you cold?" he asked, solicitous even in a rage

I shook ain It was hot as a hairdryer outside, and even the pool hadn’t been enough to coolthe party until Tristan called out, "Talk to you later, Frankie," as alked away

He snagged e pile of folded ones near the house I wrappedhi out with Jared, and being pissed about the way he was acting He had no right, but I had as good as lied to hi out with

I followed Tristan through the house and out the front door He was opening the passenger door of a black Caain

"I can’t take the towel," I argued, glancing back at theto do--to take advantage of the mysterious homeowner’s hospitality

His jaw clenched, and he just stood there, staring atthe stupid towel

He closed the door softly behind me

He drove for a solid five minutes before either of us spoke

"Is this your car?" I asked

He gave one short nod as an answer

The next stretch of silence was very nearly unbearable I feltin hts were a littleto chew hiize The last thing in the world that I wanted to do was coue that I wasn’t co between them, since Tristan and I were supposed to be platonic

I was at ith ic, and my out of control emotions Tristan had that affect on me