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"That’s not what I h, causing goosebuood way "Relax, Avery I’aze drops to his hand, his palid for a very long ti to escape wraps around aze but doesn’t withdraw his hand "I was told by Benny to take a quick break before eleven and the rush coue slips out to moisten his lips

I should tell hi should However, I can’t get the words to leave my mouth I start to recollect the kiss out in the alley and can almost feel his lips onvery un-friend type things at the ive a shit that I’e to s?"

"It hasn’t been super easy," he ad at the array of alcohol bottles in front of us while his fingers continue sketching a featherlight path on ht it’d be harder than it is Thatbusy I barely have ti else"

"That’s what makes it easier forat his hand again Tell hio back to the person I hen I was drunk all the ti at rin forms "I would really like to hear that story one day" The sincerity in his eyes throws me off balance "That is, if I can earn your trust"

"Maybe one day" Relief washes over me when the music turns off I ju Suddenly, I can breathe again "Ti, he stands up "See you next break" Then he does soainst the rules, like the thigh touching, maybe even more so because it feels so intimate

He lifts his hand and tucks a strand ofape as I watch him push his way to the front door

It takes a few seconds for me to jerk my attention away fromyself focus on only that and not the blonde-haired, blue eyed, sexy guy standing near the entrance door I do better than I thought I would, but thatat le to keep up By the time The Vibe closes, I’m exhausted, reek of booze, and just want to pass out into Benny in the office, and I hope it’s not about anything bad

"See you at the party, if not sooner" Charissa waggles her fingers at et that bikini’s aren’t optional"

I plaster on a sarcastic s"

She pulls a face as she slips her hoodie over her dress "Whatever Just show up, ready to have fun No bailing out"

"I proister then flip off all the lights except for the front ones near theand the door

"You always pro up her hoodie "But you always bail out early, either because of work, Mason, school, or so else"

"That’s because I’et exclusive rights to be irresponsible for one night"

"That’s not hoorks But I’ll try my damn hardest to have fun this tirins as she walks up to h as we pull away

"I’ll see you later, okay?" She starts toward the back door, but briefly pauses before she enters the hallway "Have fun, Avery"

I figure she’s referring to the party again and don’t think much of it I reach under the counter for ht, Tristan is on the other side of the bar, appearing happy to seeI could walk you out to your car" He rests his elbows on the counter as I sling my purse handle over my shoulder "I have to wait for Nova to picka fewthe bus," I tell hi around in my purse for my bus pass

"The bus? Why? Where’s your car?"

I find my bus pass beneath a sticky piece of candy and a toy car Masonit," I lie, having no idea why I could just tell him about Jax, that he’s my brother who lives with me, but I’ve already told Tristan so much, more than a lot of people

"Friend?" he questions or more like accuses "Hmm"

I round the corner of the bar and head for the , Tristan?"

He strides afterif this friend is a friend like ht to what I’ainst the door, and shove it open, reaching back inside to turn off the last of the lights before walking out into the night

The crescent hter than they have before, as if they’re trying to telllot near the corner of the street is where the bus stop is It’s not far, but the inadequate lighting ht, then?" I ski out there soht he banged on the door of my home But unless he’s behind bars, I never feel safe "What ties on his phone "So how long of a bus ride is it?"

"Like forty-five hts up his face as he reads a text, then his fingers e of the bus pass across the pal anxious for some reason "It’s late, and I don’t want Nova to have to drive fifteen miles out of the way"

"She won’t care," he proooder and everything"

"I can kind of tell And, really, it’s fine I ride the bus all the tithat I like helping you"

"I know you do" The concept seems to acutely puzzle him "But I want to help you, too, not just take like I used to in the past"

I dither, about to accept his offer because, honestly, I really despise riding the bus, when I notice a fa lot I reht the piece of shit and how pissed off I was because we didn’t need a second car, especially one that broke down every two seconds And how he got theeven worse