Page 97 of Thaw My Heart

The moment he’s gone, all three of the girls close in on me with bright eyes and wide smiles, staring into my soul.

“Are you guys like… a thing?” Kinley asks.

If they had asked yesterday, I would’ve blushed and felt butterflies fluttering in my gut. But today all of those pretty feelings are cold. Frozen. “No,” I murmur. “He owed me a drink.”

Candace stares at me like she doesn’t believe me, giving me an empathetic look.

“Well, Leah has been trying to nail that one down for years,” Sierra teases, nudging Leah’s shoulder.

“Nail,” Kinley snorts, covering her mouth to hold in her giggle.

My eyes snap to Leah. Her gaze tracks Kit, sitting next to Ryker across the fire. “Yeah, and to no use either,” Leah replies, practically eye-fucking him from across the fire pit. She twirls a strand of her golden blonde hair around her finger. Jealousy wells up inside me like heartburn. “Do you know if he’s single? None of us can figure it out.”

Fire ignites in my veins as I shift in my seat. My mind roars at me to say something, but what am I supposed to say? Are we even together? Do I have a right to claim him? Is this only a one-weekend fling?

It sure as hell feels that way.

I roughly stand from the log. “Excuse me.” With that, I leave, walking away as fast as my legs will move, needing to escape. Candace’s voice calls out to me, but I’m too fast, too focused on running away.

“Hey, are you okay?” Blake grabs my arm as I pass by.

“I’m fine,” I pull away. “I just need air.”

“We’re already outside.”

“Well then, I need more,” I snap, and the happiness on his face deflates. “I’m sorry, just… have a good party. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He glances at Leah, Sierra, and Kinley. “Did they say something to you⁠—”

I put a hand up, stopping his words. “I’m fine, B.”

He eyes me warily. Not wanting me to leave. “Alright.” Blake gives in with a nod, watching me as I go, creating distance from the bonfire.

The cool air freezes in my lungs, giving my core temperature a moment to cool down. The evening sun is nearly hidden behind the mountains, leaving purple and pink streaks across the sky and the bitter weather with it. I would’ve remembered to grab my coat if Kit’s dark mood hadn’t thrown me off. My arms wrap around me as I stand alone, trying to calm my mind.

Footsteps crunch behind me.

My gaze snaps to Kit approaching me slowly with his hands tucked into his jeans. “Hey, you okay?”

That’s real rich coming from him. “Just fine.” A shiver runs through me.

“You must be freezing—” he starts taking off his coat.

“I don’t want it.”

He nods and shrugs it back on. “Did you have fun?”

Not even a little.

“I’m just looking forward to going home.”

My own home, so I can cry and call my brother for some words of advice. Broken furnace or not, I’m sleeping in my own bed tonight. Whatever fantasy I was wrapped up in with Kit needs to be put far behind me.

This ranch is my home, the best home I’ve ever had, and I will not let him ruin it for me.

“It’s early, but Cole’s ready if you are.”

Right, I almost forgot. With a curt nod, I head towards the mansion, not bothering to wait for Kit.