Flock (The Ravenhood Duet #1)(39)

“Backseat Betty says you fucked her in your Nova,” Dominic supplies as my steak catches in my throat. I choke it down and grab my water, my eyes flying to Sean. This man will use everything I say against me, every word.

Sean glances toward me with a raised brow and I flit my hostile gaze to Dominic.

“So, you like twisting words, huh?”

“I like playing with simple-minded people,” Dominic sips his beer. “It’s a hobby.”

“Fuck yourself, Dominic, there’s a hobby.”

He tongues his upper lip as if contemplating and then shakes his head. “No, I’d much rather you finish that hand job you were giving me before your boyfriend walked in.” He turns to Sean. “By the way, I wouldn’t get to comfortable with her. She was really reluctant to call you her boyfriend earlier. Between that, her staring contest with junior, and the chub rub, I’m thinking she’s not the girl you should introduce to Mom.”

I slam my silverware down, glaring between them. “Okay, what’s the joke?” I fixate on Sean. “Are you not going to say anything to this asshole?”

“Trust me,” Sean sighs, “it doesn’t matter what I say.”

I surge to my feet. “Enjoy your dinner.”

“Oh, look, she has a breaking point.” Dominic tsks as I gather my purse, “How original.”

I head for the door; hearing Dominic speak up behind me. “I told you she doesn’t have it in her.”

“Give her some time.”

I’m beyond the bullshit and any attempt to understand their exchange when Tyler walks in just as I reach the door. “Hey, gir—”

“Hey, Tyler, I can’t…excuse me,” I push past him, tears threatening and slam the door behind me.

I’m fuming mad, standing at my driver’s door when I realize Tyler blocked me in. Intentional or not, he’s aware of it by now and not even he is going to make it easy on me. I stand in the heat for endless minutes before I hear the front door open and close. Sean appears and I dart my eyes away.

“You plannin’ on glaring at the front door all night, Pup?”

I look up at him to see he’s smiling which only infuriates me further. “You guys are assholes.”

He dips his chin. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I round my car, tossing my purse on the hood. “Maybe? What is your game?”

“No games. I told you not to play into his shit and you did anyway.”

“He’s horrible. And what did he mean by, ‘I don’t have it in me?’”

“Exactly what he said. And you’re proving him right.”

“Why do I have to prove anything to him?”

“You don’t, but if you’re going to be taking up space that he’s sharing, you’ll have to figure it out.”

“Figure what out exactly?”

“How to get along.”

“With him?” I scoff. “Impossible.”

“Not impossible. Improbable.”

“Sean, cut the shit. Dominic is not going to cut me any slack, okay? That’s clear.”

“Then step up.”

“And what? Kick his ass?”

“Couldn’t hurt.” His playful tone has my hackles rising.

“This is funny to you?”

“Hysterical. Got to give you props though, you were holding your own for a minute back there.”

“So, this is a game.”

“No, it’s a test of wills, and I really do hope you win.”

“You did not just say that to me.”

“I did. And I’ll say it again. You can do this. I know you can. Don’t let him scare you away.”

“That’s it?”

He grips his biceps. “That’s it.”

“Another decision.”

He taps his nose.

“You said you wouldn’t turn into a dick. What do you call this?”

He sighs. “Then I guess I’m sorry to disappoint, but I promise I can do much, much worse.”

I can physically feel my heart start retreating. I can walk away now, and something inside thinks it would be wise. But this behavior contradicts the Sean I’ve gotten to know. I’m utterly torn as I stare at him.

“You guys are on some alternate planet.”

“It’s fun here,” he says softly, “but it’s a much better planet with you on it.”

I shake my head. “I have no idea what to think about you.”

“I’m in the same position with you. Makes things interesting, doesn’t it?”

I gape at him. “I thought we…”

“You thought what?”

My heart sinks. “God, I’m an idiot. This was a bad idea.” I move to grab my purse and he stops me, letting out a harsh breath.

“Cecelia, you’re letting shit that doesn’t need to happen, happen.”

“And you’re standing by and watching it, like, what the fuck, Sean?”

He grips my face, leans down, and kisses me. I break the kiss, pushing at him, and he chuckles.

“I want to leave. Tell Tyler to move his car.”

His eyes deaden. “Tell him yourself.”