Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(56)

“Just give it some time. Decklan is crazy about you, anyone can see that. He’ll come around.” She flips her head over, rubbing the towel through her long blonde hair to soak up any excess water left over from the shower.

“But what if he doesn’t?” I meet her gaze when she straightens her posture, dropping the towel onto the back of the desk chair.

“He will,” she reassures me. “Trust me, I get how hard it is to just let things be. I’m experiencing a taste of that myself, but you can’t force this. You can’t make him listen to you if he’s not ready to.”

“Still no word from Gavin?” I gladly change the course of the conversation, picking up on her hidden meaning.

“Nope.” She shakes her head, running her fingers through her tangled hair. “I don’t think I will either. If he hasn’t reached out to me by now, I don’t think he will. I guess it was only a matter of time before someone gave me a taste of my own medicine.” She gives me a sad smile.

“So where are you going tonight again?” I ask, having been in too much of a fog when she told me earlier to really retain the information.

“Woodfire Grill.” She turns, grabbing the lotion from her nightstand. “I’d invite you but it’s not really a group thing.”

“You’re going on a date?” I ask, honestly a little surprised considering she’s been so hung up on Gavin these past couple of weeks.

“You remember Bryan?” she asks.

“The hot surfer guy from your English class?” I question, knowing exactly who she’s referring to. He’s only been following Harlee around like a lost puppy since the first week of classes.

“That’s the one,” she confirms. “Well, he finally talked me into going to dinner with him.”

“Good for you.” I smile. “He’s probably over the moon.”

“He’s a sweetheart and totally hot. I don’t why I never really saw it before,” she admits.

“Me either.” I agree.

“Alright, I have to finish getting ready.” She grabs her makeup bag from the top of the dresser. “You good?”

“I’m good,” I lie, giving her a forced smile.

“Good.” She nods, disappearing back into the bathroom.

****

It’s been almost a week...

A week and still no word from Decklan. I have stewed, imagined the worst, and even resorted to drowning myself in a bottle of wine with Harlee last night.

I’ve reached my breaking point.

Decklan is going to talk to me whether he likes it or not.

Pulling Angel’s car into the lot behind Deviants, I kill the engine and slide out, my stomach knotted so tightly I feel like I might vomit at any moment. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe because I know I’m not wanted here, or maybe it’s because this is so completely out of character for me that I don’t know how to reel myself in.

Walking around to the front entrance, I let out a deep sigh when the door opens with no resistance. Knowing they don’t open for another fifteen minutes, I wasn’t sure if it would be unlocked. Taking another deep inhale I step inside, temporarily blinded by the dimly lit bar that is a stark contrast to the late afternoon sun. Blinking rapidly, it takes several long seconds before my surroundings come into view.

I jump slightly when Val suddenly appears behind the counter, standing from her crouching position where she’s likely stocking the coolers that sit beneath the bar.

“Kimber.” She spots me instantly. “What are you doing here?” Her tone is casual which makes me think she has no idea about what’s been going on which I use to my advantage.

“I was just stopping in to surprise Decklan, is he home?” I ask, stopping directly next to the bar.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him. But you’re welcome to go check.” She gestures to the door that leads up to Decklan’s apartment. “If he’s up there will you let him know I need him to call Louie’s; they shorted us an entire case of top shelf.”

“Sure.” I smile, knowing it’s probably the last thing I will think of if I actually get to lay eyes on him.

“Thanks.” She nods, turning her back to me as she continues prepping the bar.

Without another word I head up to Decklan’s apartment, my heartbeat increasing with each step I climb, feeling like it might pound out of my chest by the time I reach the top. I stop directly in front of his door, not sure if I have the courage to knock.

I stare at the chipped wood for several long seconds before finally lifting my hand and rapping it gently against the door. I immediately hear footsteps as they cross the room, and my breath catches in my throat when I hear the lock click.

This is it.

There’s no going back now.

Taking another deep inhale, I falter slightly when Paxton appears in front of me.

“Kimber.” He makes no attempt to move out of the doorway or to invite me in. “It’s really not a good time.”

“Is he here?” I ignore his comment.

“He is, but you don’t want to see him right now.” His voice is gentle, but I can tell by the look on his face how serious he is.

“I think I’ll be the judge of that,” I say, stepping towards him, my attempts to get inside immediately thwarted when he stands firm in the doorway not allowing me to pass.