Page 40 of Fueled Fury

25

Austin

Knocking on her bedroom door, I wait for the moment I love. The moment when the door swings open and I get to take her in, knowing she’s mine. And when she does just that, I take in her casual jeans and a royal-blue Haine University V-neck hugging her body at every place I plan to lick later on.

I hold out a red rose, and she smiles as she grabs it from me, lifting it to her nose, inhaling a deep breath. “You don’t have to keep doing this.”

“Doing what?” I play coy as I step into her room, shutting the door to sneak a quick taste of the sexy skin peeking out just above the howling coyote on her shirt.

Her fingers grip my biceps as she forces me to behave (unfortunately). “The flowers. The pie. The dinner dates. We’ve been out every night.”

“But I love pie.” I give her a snicker as I think of the events that take place after dessert.

“Yeah, me too. But Tobe’s will run out of pie eventually.”

“Then we’ll make our own.”

“I’d love to see that.” She laughs as she heads to her dresser and grabs her keys. “It’s my turn to drive.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I agree as I steal one more quick taste of the soft skin on her neck.

She tenses a bit when a knock falls on the other side of her door but walks across the room and opens it, giving Eli a smile. He might not notice it’s a forced one, but I do. He’s been rather civil the last few days, almost too nice. It’s to the point where I’m trying to figure out what he has planned. Because it’s something.

“Hey, we’re just about to head out. Want to go eat with us?” she asks as she tucks her hands in her pockets.

“No thanks, I already ate with Hannah.” Eli looks to me then back to Lainey. “I wanted to let y’all know about the party this weekend.”

“What party?”

“My parents want to barbecue this weekend. Kind of an early birthday celebration for me and a late one for Austin.”

“Oh, I didn’t know,” Lainey responds giving me a quick look.

That’s it. I knew he was up to something. He knows my parents’ house is the last place I want to be and the last place I’ll be able to tolerate being the good guy with him. It’ll be easier on him—our parents will be there to back him up on whatever shitstorm he has calculated because, early or late, a birthday party for me has never happened once in my life.

“Yeah. It’ll be Saturday afternoon. Mom said she can’t wait to see you, Lainey. You too, Austin.”

“I can’t make it,” I say bluntly as Lainey’s head turns to me, a slight smirk growing on Eli’s face.

“Please, Austin. It would mean the world to me.” Eli’s faux-heartfelt plea was a nice try, but the slight smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth lets me know loud and clear he wants me there for an entirely different reason than he wants Lainey to believe.

“I can’t make it. Maybe next time.”

“Well, Mom will be disappointed.” He turns to Lainey. “You’ll be there though, right?”

She nods as Eli grins triumphantly. He’s, without doubt, absolutely not being the bigger person, just the bigger schemer.

“Great. I’ll see y’all lovebirds when you get back from your date.” Eli waves as he leaves the room. He didn’t cause any visual damage, but I see the remnants he’s left behind. The mines he’s planted in the field. Either way this goes, I’m screwed.

“Let’s go.” I grab her hand and lead her to the garage.

Dropping into her car, she looks over at me while the garage door opens. As she’s backing out, she asks, “Are you sure you don’t want to go? It seems like he’s really trying. Maybe your mom will too.”

“You can’t be that fucking naïve.” The words spill out of my mouth before I can stop them. And the pain on her face already makes me feel like a dick, but she has to know. “You’re clearly uncomfortable when Eli’s around so why buy into his bullshit now? Or is it me making you uncomfortable?”

Eli’s plan is already in motion.

“I’m not uncomfortable with either of you. It’s just different now that we’re together. Eli seems to be trying, so I thought it would be good to meet him halfway. Forget I asked.”