Unattainable (Undeniable, #3)(22)

Holding his throbbing head, Cage gingerly rolled from his side onto his back and cracked an eyelid to check out the warm body he felt lying beside him.

The first thing he saw was a big mess of orange-red frizzy hair, and being that his brain was bogged down with the aftereffects of too much whiskey, it took him a moment to process where he knew that hair from. When he did, when he knew exactly who that hair belonged to, he shot up into a sitting position, cursing when his head vehemently protested the movement.

Maybe it wasn’t her. Maybe someone else in Miles City had ridiculously frizzy carrot-colored hair, a stick for a body, and freckles everywhere. Feeling sick, he glanced over his shoulder. Jesus f*cking shit, motherf*cker, f*ck his life and everything in it.

God, what the f*ck was wrong with him?

Worse, he didn’t even remember doing it. A sliver of hope lit inside of him. Maybe he didn’t f*ck her? But then why was she naked? Still gripping his throbbing skull, he turned away from her and dropped his head.

Then his jaw dropped.

No.

His leathers were still on but his goddamn dick was hanging out covered in a light sheen of dried blood. Great. He’d taken her virginity. Worse yet, he didn’t even remember doing it.

That had been one of the worst mornings of his life. Actually, the entire day had sucked balls.

Not knowing what to do, he hightailed it into the shower, hoping she’d wake up and get the f*ck out of his room before he got out.

No dice.

She was still there, in his bed, still naked but now awake and covering herself with his sheet, holding his cell phone in her hand. “It wouldn’t stop ringing,” she said softly, unable to look him in the eye, her pale skin flushing. “So I answered it.”

He stared down at her, not really paying attention to what she was saying, trying to figure out what the f*ck he was going to do with her. Seriously, what the f*ck was he supposed to do with some awkward, dorky, titless teenager?

“Uh, listen, Teacup,” he said, shifting uncomfortably as he reached up and began rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m not really sure what the f*ck to say here, but last night… Are you okay? Does, uh, did you…” He trailed off, not knowing what the f*ck he’d been trying to say in the first place and feeling like a jackass.

“I’m fine,” she whispered. “I’m glad it was you.”

He continued staring at her, his mind blank.

“It was Ellie who called,” she continued softly.

Ellie? Why the f*ck would Ellie call him?

“She, um, she’s really upset…” Tegen hesitated. “She said Danny is, uh, on her way to an abortion clinic.”

What? Danny. Abortion clinic? Cage snapped the f*ck out of it. His little sister had gotten herself into trouble and he needed to find her. Right. Now. Everything else, everyone else could go f*ck themselves.

“I gotta go,” he said hurriedly, glancing around for his clothing. He zeroed in on his leathers and snatched them off the ground. When he was fully dressed, he crossed the room and grabbed hold of the doorknob. Then he paused and glanced over his shoulder.

“Don’t say anything to anyone,” he demanded.

Tegen’s green eyes went wide and she shook her head. “I won’t,” she said. “I promise.”

Nodding, he pulled open the door.

“Cage?”

Stopping, he glanced back again. “What?” he asked impatiently.

She hesitated, her skin flushing fiercely as she peeked up at him through her eyelashes.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Cage froze.

Oh, f*ck. Oh, f*ck.

No. Just…no.

“Shit,” he muttered, suddenly unable to look at her. How the f*ck had this happened? He seriously needed to stop drinking so much.

“Listen,” he continued slowly. “I don’t know what the f*ck you’re thinkin’ but…it just ain’t like that for me, baby.”

He glanced up, saw the surprise on her face, saw the hurt, saw it all.

Then he got the f*ck out of there.

He’d spent the rest of the day dealing with his little sister’s mess. Or rather, Ripper’s mess, and hadn’t given much thought to Tegen or what had happened until enough time had passed and he started realizing that not only was she not speaking to him, she wasn’t looking at him. In fact, she acted like he didn’t even exist.

He hadn’t exactly cared at the time unless he was confronted with it. When he’d find her scowling at him instead of smiling, refusing to speak to him, refusing to speak to anyone.

Watching from a distance as she grew angrier, bitter, and eventually just outright mean.

Then she’d left for college and hadn’t come home for any holidays. In fact, she didn’t come home again until her mother had been shot.

He’d taken one look at her, her new look, and he hadn’t seen the dorky little girl he used to tease incessantly anymore, but a woman, a beautiful woman.

A beautiful woman who wanted nothing to do with him. And maybe that’s what bothered him the most. Tegen was a beautiful woman who’d once acted as if the sun rose and set with him, who’d told him she loved him, yet who now wanted nothing to do with him.

And every time he saw her, it felt like she was slapping on yet another layer of attitude, each visit home worse than the last.