We stare at one another for what feels like an eternity. The intensity burning in his gaze makes my heart race.

“Your two minutes are up.”

Without warning, he gets off the bench.

There’s a heavy tightness in my chest the moment he walks away.

Irritation rushes through me and before I can talk myself out of it, my feet follow him.

“Why won’t you answer me?”

He stops so short I almost collide into his back.

The hurt swirling in his eyes nearly brings me to my knees when he turns around.

A breath shudders out of my lungs and my heart propels into a hard gallop when he grabs my hand. It feels like there’s a live wire connecting our bodies.

One that wraps around my neck and squeezes when he gestures to my engagement ring and bites out, “That’s why.”

Face twisting in a scowl, he drops my hand like it’s acid and stalks off.

And this time, despite the inexplicable connection I feel between us…

I let him.

Chapter 16

Oakley

For a moment I thought she came back to me.

I should have known better.

The muscles in my chest draw tight as I continue sweeping up the trash in the hallway.

Even if Bianca wasn’t marrying someone else, it still wouldn’t change anything.

She’s gone…

Because of me.

And now I have no choice but to man the fuck up and live with the consequences of my actions.

The sound of someone laughing callously has the tiny hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

I know that laugh.

I’ve heard it a hundred times before.

Usually at the expense of whoever was dumb enough to piss Jace off.

A moment later my former best friend comes into view.

Eyes narrowed, he drops the soda bottle he was holding…even though the trash can is a mere three feet away.

“It’s funny as fuck watching trash clean up trash.”

His anger is more than warranted, but he’s off his rocker if he thinks I’m going to stand here and let him hassle me while I’m trying to work.

I glare at him. “Pick that up.”

He takes a step in my direction. “Fuck off.”

Goddammit. Shit between us is fucked now, but it doesn’t negate the fact that he used to be my best friend.

Jace was the one who took me under his wing and had my back when I was new in town.

The one I could talk to about all the fucked-up thoughts going on inside my head whenever I was having a shit day and missed my mom.

The one who took care of me whenever I’d get high and have a seizure.

At one point in my life, I would have done anything for him.

Hell, I still would.

But it’s obvious the feeling isn’t mutual anymore because here he is…going out of his way to start shit with me.

He kicks the bottle down the empty hallway. “You pick it up, motherfucker.”

I’d rather eat shit.

I take a step toward him. “You might be able to bully everyone else in your life, asshole, but you can’t bully me. I ain’t the fucking one.”

His nostrils flare. “You ain’t shit, bitch.”

The fucker was clearly looking for a fight.

Well, now he’s got one.

Something inside me snaps and I shove him. “You wanna fight me?”

I’m no longer mad. I’m fucking enraged.

At him. At the situation I’m in.

But mostly? At myself.

Because I killed someone and lost the girl I love.

“Take your best shot, mofo.” I tap my chin in invitation. “Right fucking here.”

He levels me with another cold glare as he winds his fist back.

I brace myself for the impact. Because I want it.

But it never comes.

“Stop it,” Bianca screams in the distance.

A moment later, she squeezes herself between us. “Leave him alone, Jace.”

He pushes her away. “Stay out of this.” He winds his fist back again, but Bianca clutches her head and cries out, “Ouch. Holy shit that hurts.”

That’s all it takes for us to forget our feud and rush to her side.

My gaze darts over every inch of her, scanning for signs of injury. “What’s wrong?”

“What happened?” Jace questions, his voice filled with concern.

It takes everything in me not to pummel him. “She might have hit her head when you shoved her.”

Jace blanches. “Fuck.” He looks at his sister. “Are you okay?”

She rubs her temples. “I don’t know. I have a really bad migraine.”

Without thinking, I reach out and touch her cheek. “Do you want me to—”

“Get the fuck away from her, asshole,” Jace bites out as he slaps my hand away. “Now.”

As if sensing another fight between us, Bianca looks at Jace and utters, “Can you walk me back to my dorm?”

Jace shakes his head. “No. I want to take you to the doctor and get you checked out.”

Finally, something we can both agree on.

Despite looking like she wants to object, she nods. “Okay.”

Jace drapes an arm around her shoulders, and they start ambling down the hallway. “Can you walk? Should I call an ambulance?”

“I can walk,” she assures him.

They’re almost to the end of the hall when she tilts her head and our gazes collide.

It’s a visceral punch to the gut when she gives me a small smile.

Forcing myself to stay away from her kills me, but keeping my distance is the right thing to do.

Because she hurt me in ways she doesn’t remember…

and I hurt her in ways I can’t forget.

Chapter 17

Oakley

Past…

The whiskey and ecstasy buzzing through my system is enough to almost knock me on my ass as I stagger through the front door.

“You live here?” the hot blonde I brought home from the bar squeaks behind me.

Technically I live in the guesthouse, but I don’t bother telling her that.

I’m too focused on dragging her up the staircase to my temporary room where I have every intention of bending her over and fucking her till she can’t stand.

However, the little hottie has different plans because she shoves me onto the bed and drops to her knees.

Fuck yeah.

“You gonna wrap those pretty lips around my cock,” I rasp as she drags down the zipper of my jeans.

“Holy shit,” she breathes as she looks her fill. “You have a cock piercing.”

Gets them every time.

She bites her lip. “I’ve never been with a guy with one of those.”

Propping myself up on my elbows, I grin down at her. “Well, you know what they say. There’s a first time for everything.”

Shooting me a seductive smile of her own, she utters, “Very true.”

A moment later she stretches her mouth around the head of my dick.

However, that’s not what grabs my attention.

That would be the petite figure I spot through the crack in the door.

Bianca.