"You are, and always have been, my dream."―Nicholas Sparks

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Chapter 51
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Maggie

My fingers fumbled with the button of my jeans until I had it back into place. "Let's go."

Humor thumped in Luke's eyes. "You sure you're ready, Norris?" My attention drifted off to his lap, before I tore myself away from the temptation.

I shook my head. "No, okay? No. We're already late because of you, and your..." I paused to motion to his hardening cock, the one I was just sitting on a second ago. "Lack of control."

His head tilted at me as he scooted closer, a hand patting at my things to signal them apart. I hated myself for automatically opening my legs for him.

His hand dipped to the inside of my thigh, stroking back and forth. "You're the one who jumped me when we got in the car." I didn't know whether it was his chuckle or his hands that made me shudder first. "I think you had all this planned out if I didn't know any better, angel."

"Exactly." Inhaling, I forced a glare to his hand, then back to him. It had stopped but only to cup my thigh in his grasp. "You don't know any better, you idiot—"

Luke's fingers trapped my chin, and by the grip, he pulled me closer. The drop of his lips against mine ended in a kiss that had me confusing it with fire, and my reality for heaven itself.

As soon as I attempted to fall deeper, he pulled away just enough to mumble, "Norris."

My eyes fluttered open as I leaned in closer for a longer moment. "Mhm?"

His tongue darted against his cheek to stop from grinning. "I suggest you get that smart-ass mouth away from me before I fuck it, again, yeah?" Another peck fell to my lips before he pulled back.

I blinked, and did so again, nearly in a trance. Heat poured into the pit of my tummy as I pulled in a breath to try and keep what little composure I did have left. If our friends weren't expecting my arrival soon, I would have been more than ready to test that threat.

Levi had texted Luke, and demanded our presence tonight. He was throwing a kickback—which, because of him, would only flourish into a party—for spring break. He wanted to throw it at Kimberly and Kade's lake house, but Kade wouldn't let him, so he was throwing it at his own house.

In every way there was, the three men were the most known around town, especially for their parties, so everyone and their mother would be there, tonight. Everyone knew that Levi Wallace was the life of the party, no matter the scene, and only threw the best ones around.

Luke didn't want to go, which had shocked the hell out of me, since I'd always seen him at Levi's parties before. That was how we'd met, too.

Then again, though, I didn't feel excited about it, either. It was strange as shit, but I didn't care. All I wanted to do was stay in the quiet of Luke's house. Or, his arms. Order in food, cuddles with Fang and his dad, and I'd be complete.

But, I promised Raven I'd show. Kimberly was supposed to be there, as well, so I'd use the opportunity to catch up with them a bit more. Luke and I planned to only stay for a couple of hours at most, before we left.

"Remember," I said to Luke, straightening my shirt down. "Discreet. Stay discreet. No flirting, no kissing or touching. Nothing, because that's what they know."

I told Luke that this, us, needed to stay quiet until I told Kimberly and Raven myself. The only reason that he even partially agreed was because I asked it, I could see. Other than that, though, I saw the specks of disappointment in his expression. So, I guessed I had that answer as to whether he wanted me or not.

I did feel guilty about hiding it, but especially about how it would make Luke feel. I didn't want him to think that I was ashamed of him, or of anything that had happened between us, but this was the easiest way to keep things under control. At least for now.

"Fuck being discreet, and fuck all else." His fingers trapped the hem of his shirt, and yanked it down his body. "If I see another fucker touch you tonight, Maggie—"

"Hey, it goes the same way for you, too," I interrupted, casting a serious look over him. "If I see you even entertain anything or anyone else—"

Luke moved to capture my face, and lips all at the same time. The tips of his fingers held me to him by my chin, making the spot itself, above and below it, tingle. The kiss was slow this time, and through it, reassurance, trust, and honesty flowed through.

When he leaned back, his lips were still brushing mine. "There's no entertaining shit when it comes to anyone or anything, trust me on that. Not shit else even exists compared to you, Maggie," he affirmed, his thumb running against my lip. He nodded at me, seriousness settling over his expression. "There's no question about it. Not one. I'm yours, angel."

I'm yours.

Those two words were like a honey sweet melody to my ears. Satisfaction was all I knew in this moment, as well as discovery of the best song of my life.

A grin stretched my cheeks as the thump of my heart doubled, and shook the chains in my chest. I chuckled, dropping my head.

"Geez, pretty boy," I teased. "I know I might have made you delirious and all, but I never thought you'd get this hooked so quickly."

Luke tilted my head up to him, a frown pasting his lips. "I'm serious, Maggie. It's aggravating the shit out of me that I can't walk into that party with you on my arm. All I want is to show you off as mine, but I know I can't, and it's killing me. You know that, right?" I nodded, biting back another grin. His own began to build the longer he saw mine before he shook it off with a scowl. "So, don't go in there on your funny shit, Norris."

I knew what he meant by that. I didn't plan on flirting or dancing with another guy to mess with him or anything, solely for the other guy's life, and mostly for the respect I have for Luke. But if he didn't keep his word, then I'd have to do the same.

I flashed a grin. "I don't know what you mean, Palce."

A dark expression followed at my joke. "Right, right, I'm sure you don't." He bit the inside of his cheek, his head falling with a chuckle. "Well...if that memory is yours is still foggy when we get in there, just remember whose face you were riding last night, yeah?"

Heat tinted my skin as I shoved him away by his chest. If he kept talking like that, then we weren't going to go to this stupid party. I needed to get out of here.

"I'll be good." I patted his cheek, and through a chuckle, pecked the scowl from his lips while my other hand pulled the handle open to the passenger side. "Promise."

The glint in his eyes made my stomach turn, but I had to detach myself or I'd be stuck here forever. On my exit from the car, Luke held my hand until he couldn't, cursing when the distance detached us.

There weren't that many people here yet, since it was so early, but in a couple of hours, the place would be flowing with people, then even more crazier versions of those people. I already knew there'd be an abundance of booze, food, music, and drugs I couldn't even pronounce.

I was more shocked at myself for not wanting to join them. At any party, my friends knew that I was the drinker, and the drugs there never stayed out of my system. I won every shots, and beer pong game, and I could down straight liquor like it was my job.

It was the only time that allowed my mind to relax, to forget, even if it were only temporarily. It was usually with Levi and Raven when I smoked or took the shrooms, and Levi being the sweetheart he is, would stay sober and basically be our bodyguard against what possibly could happen. Jax would be pissed at me for the drugs, but when you have a mind that doesn't ever give you peace, you take the first opportunity you can to find it.

Now, though, I didn't feel the need.

Lately, I'd managed to get that same feeling from this sarcastic, 6'4" blonde boy. I didn't think there was anything like it, and I knew for a fact that if there was, I didn't want to find it unless it was connected to him.

One of the choices ended up with me waking up with a pounding headache, and a stomach ache. The other ended with me waking up with a smile, butterflies, and a satisfied feeling of peace and comfort. It wasn't too hard to choose which one was better.

On my way inside of the house, I took the place in. There were already a couple of people standing around, but I didn't spot any recognizable faces in the living room. Half of them were already faded as shit, and basically slumps on the furniture.

I nodded at a few before heading to the kitchen in search for Raven or Kimberly.

My guesses were right. Raven and Levi were standing near the kitchen island, testing, well, eating the dip.

At my footsteps, Raven's head popped up, her hazel eyes latching into mine. A large grin lit her face before she came at me. "Mags."

I caught her in my arms, immediately. Laughter broke free before we both tore away from the hug.

Raven tucked her ginger strands behind her ear, her grin radiating. "It's about time you showed."

I held her bouncy body by her wrists; Levi probably bought her caffeine this morning. "I'm sorry I'm late; I had to run a couple of errands." That was partially true, if riding Luke in his car was one.

She waved my apology off. "You're okay, girl. Levi was late getting the word out anyway, so everyone will get here a little later than usual."

"Thank shit you're here," Levi groaned out, passing by me with a quick side-hug, which I returned with a laugh. "Maybe you can be the one to finally get Kade and Kimberly from their room." His body shuddered, disgust in his face. "Earlier, I made the mistake of walking in without knocking, and I've been scarred ever since. I'll never get the sight of that mean son of a bitch having our sweet, loving, innocent Kimberly twisted like a fucking pretzel—"

"Watch your mouth when it comes to her, Levi," Kade announced on his entrance into the kitchen. "First and only warning." Kimberly followed in right behind him, attempting to button her blouse back up.

Levi passed a silly look at his friend. "Nice to see you, too." He turned his look to Kimberly, a grin following. "And, you. About time you lovesick troublemakers of mine made an appearance."

I chuckled, making my way over to Kimberly, who already had her arms open. Our hug said a million things all at once.

"Hey, gorgeous." I leaned back from our hug. "Heard you been in some trouble."

"Yeah..." Her fair cheeks darkened at my statement, a breath mixing in with a chuckle. "Kade forgot to lock the door."

Kade rolled his eyes, directing a glare to his friend. "More like the dumbass in front of me doesn't know how to knock."

Levi stepped up, clapping a hand on Kade's shoulder. "Unless there's a mirror in front of you, then I'm clueless, man."

Kade swept Levi's hand down so hard, I thought it broken for a second, before he turned to get something out of the fridge. He came back up with a water for him, and a soda for Kimberly, pointing it to Levi. "You're lucky as shit Kimberly dragged me here. Being around you for just ten minutes fucks with me."

"Aw. I didn't want to bring it up so soon, but I don't know, man..." Levi cupped his chest, an awestruck smile on. "You just get me." His hand fell on top of Kades, earning a smack in the head in return.

"Touch me again, and this bottle is going up your ass, Levi," Kade threatened, pulling a chair out. As soon as he was sat, he gently tugged Kimberly to him by her hand, handing her the soda with a kiss to the head.

"Fine, fine." Levi raised his hands in surrender, and looked to Kimberly. "How do you deal with this grumpy son of a bitch?"

Kade rolled his eyes at him. "Jealous?"

Levi snorted. "Of course, but I can look past whatever with those eyes of yours. They're my favorite. And, those muscles—" As soon as he leaned forward to squeeze his arm, Kade made a move in return to hold to his promise.

All of our laughter mixed through the kitchen, especially Kimberly's as she pulled Kade back into place. One look from her, and he was seeping back into the chair, but his scowl remained.

He moved his gaze to Kimberly, his glare dying. "Can we leave, now?" Amused, she shook her head at him, and said, "I told you at least half an hour."

"It's been an hour," he argued, drawling out a sigh.

"An hour into the actual party," she retorted.

"Come on..." His frown deepened around a groan. "I'll take you anywhere you wanna go, sweetheart."

Kimberly laughed. "You already do."

"I'll do anything you want."

She shrugged, a small smile building. "You already do."

His glare had died into a soft puddle of adoration, his grin glowing at her. "Well, you're a little spoiled ass, aren't you?"

Levi groaned aloud, slamming an empty beer can along the kitchen island. "Hello." His arms went flailing as he tried to gain our attention.

Four sets of eyes landed on him.

His arms fell to his sides. "Can we get to the bigger picture here?"

Raven chuckled, pulling him to her by his shirt. "Which is?"

When he looked at Kade, he sighed in defeat. "Why are my friends such asses?"

Kade laid his head on Kimberly's shoulder. "You are, too. Just better at hiding it."

"Can't get you wrong there, but," he paused, shaking his finger at him. "Why don't you want to come to my parties, anymore? I even had to beg Luke to come. You two used to be the first ones here, both cross-faded off your asses, and the life of the party. Why not now?"

"Because it's stupid, childish, and immature," Kade replied, simply.

Levi threw his arms up again, careful to avoid bumping Raven in the face. "But, we're stupid, childish, and immature."

"Correction, you're stupid, childish, and immature."

Raven let a chuckle slip, earning a look of disbelief from Levi. "You're agreeing with him?"

"Not in that same context, but don't worry." One hand stroked his back. "I love that you're all of those things. It's what makes you, you."

Levi looked to me, next. "Maggie, me and you go way back. What do you think?"

"Nope." I raised my hands in surrender, pretending to be busy with the dip. "I'm not in this."

Levi's elbows fell to the island, defeat reaching his face. "I deserve better friends."

Kimberly offered an encouraging smile to him. "If it helps, your sweetness defeats all else, Levi." Kade shot a look at her, rolling his eyes as he remarked, "Fuck that."

Levi pretended to swipe away a look of distress as he pointed to her. "You. You're safe, Kimberly." He moved his finger around the kitchen to the rest of us. "But, all of you ungrateful fuckers. Just wait." He grabbed Raven's bottle, tilting it in all sorts of directions. "Oh, you just wait."

Kade waited for a moment of silence to pass, gazing around the room first before falling back to his friend with a raised brow. "Well? I'm waiting?"

"You're not supposed to say that when a villain gives their evil monologue, you dumb fuck. It defeats the purpose of it because you're not supposed to know what you're waiting for—"

Just as his explanation escalated, we all heard the door click open, then shut. At first, I thought it to be another guest, but at my body's jolt, I knew.

Luke strolled right in through the threshold, as casual as ever about looking so perfect. With the pull he had on me, both emotionally and physically, it took everything there was to stop myself from acting on it.

"Luke fucking Vaudest, the man of the hour," Levi grinned, crossing the room to his friend. "Still being 'fashionably late', I see?"

Luke chuckled. "Still annoying as shit, I hear?" They did some type of bro-hug that happened too quickly for me to even grasp. He did the same to Kade, nodding at Kimberly, to Raven, then he got to me.

I hadn't stopped staring from the moment he walked in. I don't even think I managed to breathe from the moment I saw him.

Luke caught my eyes, his own weighing on my face until I felt it go slack. I knew that I told him to remain discreet, but it was like all of that flew out the window the moment we came around each other, again.

An arrogant grin wavered over his face as he went to my side of the kitchen island, despite the painfully obvious free spaces around the kitchen. "What's up, Norris?"

"Is it your dick for me or something?" I forced a scowl at him.  "Ever heard of personal space?"

Luke leaned down on his elbows, perching his head up on a shut fist. "Nah, I don't think so." That same cocky grin remained. "But, I'm all ears."

I averted my gaze to the dip, forcing my smile back. I had to chant, beg, plead with myself to remain sane long enough to get through the night without him.

"Whatever," I grumbled, pulling my gaze up. I nearly jumped at the sight.

Four sets of eyes were on us, in tune to everything that we did, and didn't say. Especially Kimberly and Raven.

Shit.

I called for my tongue to force something, anything out. Nothing came, though.

"Uh..." Levi trailed off, scratching at his neck. "Shit, let's see. What's something to say..." Once he got it, he perked up, "Ah, I got it. Who's excited to play beer pong with me?"

My gaze fell to Kade, the reminder rushing back in with it. Did he end up going back, and telling everyone about Luke and I? Or, did we make it obvious on our own?

Shit.

In between the cracks of a mental freakout, I heard Levi say, "Ryder, you and I always have the best time at beer pong, don't we? How about a run for old times sake?" He turned to grab a bag of red cups from behind him.

Luke, who appeared unfazed at all of the attention, snickered. "The last time you two played, you were so drunk that you threw the ball at yourself instead of the cup."

Kade chuckled at the reminder. "Knocked him out cold, didn't it?" Luke nodded in return, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Sure did. I still have that picture of him in the ER."

Raven laughed, turning to Levi. "Is that true? How'd you even—"

"No, its not true," Levi countered, narrowing his eyes at Luke. "Don't bring that shit up, again."

Luke chuckled, swiping a chip from the open bag. "Uh huh."

Levi looked to Kade, still shaking the bag of cups. "Come on, Ryder. You know you want to."

"Nah." Kade shook his head, waving his request off. "I'm not drinking; I have to get Kimberly back home."

Luke swept his chip through my dip before I jerked it away from him. Since everyone was too occupied in their conversation, he took the chance to throw a quick-witted wink at me that made the butterflies in my stomach go wild.

Disgust drenched his face as he glanced to the bowl. "This dip tastes like ass."

Levi crossed his arms over his large chest. "It's my dead grandfather's recipe."

My mouth fell in shock, as did Raven and Kimberly's.

"I know, that's why I said it." Luke chuckled, turning to grab a different bowl of dip. I wasn't sure if it were on purpose, but when he did, he grazed my arm with his. "Tastes like you fuckers mixed his dirty ass ashes in or some shit."

All of us girls nearly broke our jaws as we swung a look of shock to Luke.

Levi shrugged as he chuckled. "Can't get you wrong there. I still wished I would have gotten the chance to toss his ashes in a dumpster."

Raven gasped at him. "Levi! He's dead."

He hissed, rubbing at the spot. "What? The son of a bitch hit me with a broomstick. A broomstick, Rosy! I was more than glad when the fucker finally dropped dead. Get me drunk enough, and I'll gladly go and piss on his grave again, right now." Again?

I blinked past my astonishment, but nothing changed. I knew I shouldn't be too shocked at the three men, but sometimes, they still managed to get it out of me.

"Okay," Kimberly broke past the silence with an off-putting chuckle, looking to me and Raven. "You guys wanna head upstairs for a bit?"

"Hell yes," Kade bit out, immediately jerking up to tug her out of the room. At her rejection, he groaned. "Please don't leave me down here."

Levi stepped up, a cocky grin painted on. "She was talking to me." He turned to them. "You two lame asses have fun without me. The girls and I are gonna go, and—"

Raven cocked her brow at him. "No can do, babe. This is a girls only thing."

Nerves trotted through my blood. I'd been so excited to talk to them before, but now, the thought frightened me. They wanted to talk about Luke and I. I knew it.

Warmth spread from my hand, and on up. It wasn't until I blinked out of my worried trance that I realized Luke was holding my hand. It was the most pleasing comfort in the world, but I knew that it would turn into a mess if someone stepped around this corner, right now.

I threw a glare Luke's way, but it went ignored. He balanced a grin of arrogance to Levi, but I knew who it was really aimed at. "Looks like you're stuck down here with the two lame asses, Wallace."

After kissing Kimberly's cheek, Kade stepped over to Levi, his head bobbing. "That's what he said, wasn't it?"

"Mhm." Luke squeezed my hand, causing my insides to light up so fast, I got lightheaded. "Think we'll have to remind this fucker of a couple things?"

That same hand left mine, instead traveling to my thigh. I jerked a glare to Luke, but by his humored expression, I knew it didn't bother him. His hand paused so dangerously close to the spot that ached for him most, but it remained still. Even in that, its presence alone threatened me closer to insanity.

"Come on." Levi raised his hands in surrender, a chuckle skipping past his lips as he glanced between them. "Don't get those faces of yours fucked up so soon."

"Vaudest." Kade threw head jerk to Luke. "How long has it been since we jumped his smartass, again?"

"Nearly a year, right?" Luke squeezed down on my thigh, earning a shudder in response. It began into a rhythm, slow strokes, with a tight, meaningful grip with it.

Levi glanced between the two, warily. "Exactly four-hundred, and thirty-two days, now. I've been keeping track for the case folder to give to my lawyer." His hand ran along the wall as he slowly edged toward the exit closest to it. "Now, you both seem real respectable, impressionable, and—"

"Kade, leave him alone," Kimberly called with a chuckle. With a lingering glare, he stepped back from Levi, instead turning to Kimberly. "Be good," she warned him.

"You too." Raven pointed to Levi, who was nearly out of the kitchen. "Play nice."

Luke had removed his hand now, and instead was using it to balance his head. "What about you, Norris?" That same grin from earlier came into play, so cocky and mocking with the sexiest tint to it. "No warning for me?"

I feared my voice would shake but luckily, it didn't, "Nope. In fact..." I glanced to Kade, and Levi. "Make sure you catch him in that big ass mouth of his." Both boys nodded in agreement.

Luke nodded, chuckling back at me as his eyes cruised down my body. Behind the arrogance, I saw the desire, and it was like a mirror image of my own. "But then, I wouldn't be able to use it for other things. Wouldn't want that, now would I, Norris?"

I scoffed. "I sure as hell would."

"Mhm," he hummed. The challenge in his gaze was more than obvious to me: I'd regret saying that later. "I get you."

"Mhm," I mocked him back, rolling my eyes. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go talk to someone who I actually find appealing."

"Really now?" he retorted. "Go on, then. I'm all ears."

"How's that cockiness working out for you so far?"

The largest grin known to man was trapped on his face. "Pretty good, honestly." His eyes ran over me with an abundance of satisfaction behind them. "Pretty damn good, Norris."

It was getting harder by the minute to fight back this blush. If I didn't get out of his little trap, I'd be stuck, forever.

Walking away from Luke nearly tugged me right back, but I managed to make it over to the girls' grins and curious looks.

As soon as we reached the second floor, commotions full of curses and scramblings sounded out from the bottom level. Since we already knew who they were, we continued on until we made it to a room.

I was the last one to follow, but as soon as my foot crossed the threshold, a hand yanked me into the room fully.

I stumbled, barely even managing to catch myself on the bed. When I jerked around, Raven was standing against the door, her eyes widened at me. "What in the hell was that?"

Shit.

They were cornering me for information, as I used to do them. Karma was a bitch.

Fuck it. Deny. Deny. Deny. "What was what?"

Kimberly stood to my side, a smile full of tease on. "Don't act like you don't know."

"I'm not acting like anything, because I don't know."

I did know. I knew every right answer to every wrong question they wanted to ask, but I wouldn't give it.

Raven scoffed at my denial. "Right, right. So you and Luke were just having a friendly, innocent, little conversation, then?"

"Yes," I hissed back.

"That were full of subliminal messages, and those looks," Kimberly added, raising her brow at me. "No one's blind here, Maggie."

I jerked my eyes over the two. "It wasn't full of anything." At their unconvinced glares, I groaned. "Guys, Luke and I argue like that all of the time."

"No," Raven argued, her eyes squinting at me. "Hell no. That wasn't just some 'you can choke, and die' type of arguing, that was 'Come choke on my dick, love me, then I'll take you out to dinner, afterwards' type of arguing."

I cast an odd glare her way. "The fuck is the difference?"

Kimberly scoffed. "It's a major one. Especially with you two."

"Exactly! We've seen you two argue enough to know the difference." Raven nearly burnt holes into the floor as she paced it. "Something had to happen."

"It did," Kimberly responded with a snort, sitting down. "Trust me, if anyone knows when the situation changes, it's me. And, it definitely did with you two."

Raven, still pacing, looked to Kimberly. "Body language."

Kimberly stared up at the ceiling in thought. "Those little side glances."

"They kept staring at each other."

"Luke went to stand by her—"

On the mattress, I fell to my back. "Guys," I drawled out in a sigh. "Please, you're making me sick." Sick with damn nerves that they'd piece together what brought Luke and I so close in the first place, and get to the truth before I could bring it to them.

Kimberly chuckled at me. "It happens, hun. Denial doesn't change the inevitable, though. Trust me."

I blinked in her direction. "What?"

She shrugged, a small smile passing to me. "I'll let you figure it out on your own, girl." Her eyes jumped to a thinking Raven. "Let's let her have her time to think about it, though."

A million arguments flew over Raven's expression before she gave it up. "Fine, fine." With an eye roll, she added, "Now. What have you girls been up to? The dinner was quick, so we didn't really have as much time to talk as much as we do now."

A relaxed breath fell from me. At least I had the opportunity to hide for a bit more. With these two, though, it seemed as if they had an idea of what was going on already, but they wouldn't be right, nor wrong.

Kimberly she leaned back into the swivel chair, a sigh parting her lips. "Like I said, school, exams, tears, foot massages and hugs of encouragement from Kade, and even more exams." She scooted up to the makeup vanity, checking her hair over. "What about you? Tell us about your gap year."

Raven sat upside down in one of the beanbag chairs, peering back at us. "Amazing," she expressed with a grin. "Exotic food, alcohol, perfect fucks and all else from Levi, a couple pregnancy scares here and there, and even more alcohol."

Kimberly turned to face us. "I'm gonna skip some of that for the sake of my nerves." I nodded in agreement, asking, "Did you learn any French while you were away?"

"Yes! Watch." She cleared her throat, "J'ai raté le dernier cheval."

The realization was slow, but still achieved. My brows pulled in tight as I raised myself by my elbows. "Raven, hun, you just said 'I missed the last horse.'" I wasn't exactly fluent, but I knew pretty well since I had to take it last semester.

Kimberly broke into a fit of laughter at her, and I followed soon after. I missed her silliness so much.

"Oh..." Her face fell. "So that's why the waiter was so confused when I tried to thank him for the wine." She shrugged, chuckling at herself. "It's too late, now."

My head fell to the mattress. "I'll make sure to send you my French notes when you start your semester."

"Please do."

Kimberly glanced between the two of us, her laughter dying down as she looked to me. "How about you? Tell us more about what's been going on around here."

I shrugged. "Nothing, really. Just school, and work." It was nearly laughable out loud. It'd been nothing but a storm, hell, a tsunami ever since they left. "You both know what happened at Moarde's, though, so after that, just school."

Raven snorted. "I was expecting a couple fights here and there, a couple Jax complaints, and at least one mugshot out of you."

I chuckled at that. If only they knew. "Sorry to disappoint ladies, but I've got nothing on you two."

I knew they were going to try, and peel the truth out of me, but I was taking the shot for my escape.

Rising from the bed, I glanced between the two. "I'm gonna go and get a drink. You guys want anything?" I nearly sighed in relief when they both shook their heads. It'd give me more time to hide from them, and their questions.

I knew that it was my own karma. All along, I'd teased and pried at them about their shit and their romance beliefs, but here the hell I was. Facing my own wrath.

My steps fled down the stairs as quickly as possible just in case Raven suddenly got parched, and followed me. Once I made it down without interruptions, I knew I was safe.

I paused right at the end of the staircase. Voices rung from the kitchen, completely oblivious to my presence. I immediately paired it to Kade, Luke, and Levi's.

I remained still only for a moment before stepping forward for a better hearing. They seemed to be in the middle of a conversation, and I didn't want to interrupt.

"You nearly took my eye out," I heard Levi hiss at one of them.

A snicker followed that I knew belonged to Luke. "Want me to call Raven down to kiss it better?"

"You're one to talk," Levi shot back.

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just saying: you and Maggie couldn't keep those little sly comments to yourself for a reason. Which means that you've been using them, which means that you're comfortable with each other, which means—"

Kade interrupted with, "So. You and Maggie are getting pretty close now, huh?"

"If you mean close to stabbing each other, then fuck yeah," Luke responded, casually. I didn't even have to see his face to know there was a scowl on it. "Anything else is an automatic fuck no."

"Sure as hell didn't seem like it," Levi chuckled. "Did it, Ryder?"

"Hmm."

"Think whatever the fuck you wanna think," Luke snapped, agitated. "I don't care."

"You don't?" Kade returned. "So, you won't care when you see another fucker walking away with her tonight, then?"

"Why would I?" Luke scoffed. "The girl does what she wants, trust me."

Kade tsked, then added, "I mean, shit. After I heard you two, I thought you'd be pretty damn tight in every other department, now."

Shit. He told Levi.

Then again, Levi hadn't told Raven, and Kade hadn't told Kimberly. If they did, the conversation upstairs would have gone far differently.

"So?" Luke snorted at their argument. "I've had plenty of pussy, what difference does this one make?"

My lips pulled into a frown at his words that jabbed right at my heart. I know that I told him to remain discreet, but...fuck, why did that hurt as badly as it did?

"I've been friends with your ignorant ass for nearly a decade, and have never once seen you let a girl in your house, let alone in your room. Maggie had all that, your shirt on, even her favorite goddamned food and candle in your house," Kade pointed out. "And, you kept staring at her and shit at the dinner—"

"Fucking is fucking. You know I've never given a fuck where I get it," Luke interrupted with a scoff. "And, again, what difference does it, or she, make to me?"

I had to will my feet to the carpet to stop from confronting him on that. Instead, I rubbed at my aching chest, my eyes falling to the carpet. 

"The difference is that you were smiling at the girl like we smile at ours, you dumb fuck," Levi interjected, an annoyed tint to his tone. "Everyone knows those looks. You only get them with the girl you're—"

"With what?" Luke snapped over him. "With the chick who I enjoy to fuck, and only fuck? If that were the case, I'd be grinning all over town by now."

My heart sunk into the deepest trenches. I stumbled back a step, as if his confession had knocked the wind right out of me.

Did he mean that?

Of course he did. He had to. He had said it with such malice and honesty that I could taste it in my mouth. It tasted vile, like the worst poison ever presented to man. Except this time, it was presented by the difference in his behavior less than an hour ago, and right now.

That wasn't remaining discreet, or getting his friends off his back. It was him being true to his reputation. Everyone knew of it, and nearly every girl in this town had aided to it beforehand.

Anger brewed to its slowest pace under my skin, and right into my blood. I knew it had hit its hottest point when it jabbed at my reddening figure. Vengeance was its partner, and I'd carry it with me as the night went on.

I pulled over a somber expression as I stepped into the kitchen. All three sets of eyes went to me, but with their lack of surprise, I knew they hadn't realized I heard their conversation.

Kade wore a look that had me thinking otherwise, but I kept up my facade as if I didn't. His attention returned to his phone as he leaned over the kitchen island, most likely texting Kimberly.

"Check under the counter. You know I got the good shit for you," Levi smiled sweetly at me. I passed a nod at him before returning to my business. "Thanks, Levi."

I tried my hardest to hold nothing to my expression, and instead went to the counter, where the bottle of Smirnoff vodka was hidden just for me. Levi knew it was one of my favorites.

Luke's stare burned holes into the back of my head, but I didn't confront it. Instead, I grabbed a red cup from the island, and poured the vodka until the liquid was dressing the tips of my fingers.

Just as I went to turn, Luke was in my space. His arms were crossed, a cute grin lining his lips as he glanced down to me. "What's up, Norris?"

I passed a stale smile up at him. "What difference does it make, right?"

I wasn't sure if he got the hint, nor did I care. His grin fell into a frown at whatever look I gave him, the concern and confusion filling its spot, instead.

I kept my gaze on my cup, soon shifting it into a glare. With an eye roll, I pushed by him to exit the kitchen, bumping into his arm with extra force. I could feel his stare burning into the back of my head as I walked away from him.

Instead of staying in the kitchen, I turned to head elsewhere. I couldn't be around him after hearing that. I couldn't trust my reaction enough to do so. One thing was clear enough, though.

If Luke wanted to stay true to his reputation, then that was fine with me. He could do that.

I had a reputation too, and if he wanted to revisit his, then I'd sure as hell reintroduce mine.

This was going to be an interesting night.

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Hii! I decided to double update because I edited this chapter early, lol!

Things are about to get real wild between these two!

What do you think about what Luke said? Do you think Maggie has a right to be mad after what she demanded of him? I'm conflicted my own self. 🫠

I will be back Saturday or Friday night!! I hoped you enjoyed, and as always, thanks for reading!!🤍