Page 25 of Damon

“So what’s the problem?” Ripley sipped from a can of Dr. Pepper. She was living the sober life now, and I’d never been so proud of anyone as I was of her.

Even though we offered to abstain when she was around, she insisted that we not make any changes for her. Alcohol had never been her problem anyway. Since getting off the pills she’d become addicted to, she’d chosen to stay sober in all ways. I’d never known anyone so amazing.

“I think the problem might be me. I’m starting to think maybe I should’ve chosen a different career path. Something less predictable and routine. Something more exciting.” I took a sip of my drink, glancing up as a few guys I didn’t recognize entered the yard with Ripley’s boyfriend Auryn.

“More exciting?” Storm repeated. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe college spoiled me. Too many parties and wild nights. The thought of doing the same thing day in and day out is kind of depressing.” I couldn’t help but notice one of the guys who just arrived glancing in our direction, his gaze lingering on me. “Who are those guys?”

The girls all turned to see who I indicated. Codie nodded. “Oh, those guys. Friends of Auryn’s from campus, I think.”

“Pretty sure they know each other from campus but have “worked” together.” Ripley made air quotes with her fingers. “If you know what I mean.”

Of course I did. Plenty of people “worked” with the Graveyard Kings in some manner or another. Either buying or selling.

It wasn’t long before Luna showed up with Casper. She pressed a kiss to his cheek before coming to join us, leaving him to mingle with his friends near the grill as Rebel got the food started. The conversation took a turn as Luna excitedly gushed about one of her favorite musical artists performing at an upcoming local event. Storm jumped in after, trying to encourage us to attend the city’s end of the summer carnival.

“You owe me a ride on the roller coaster, Athena. You made me ride it alone last year.” With a teasing grin, Storm leaned over to playfully pinch my arm.

“Yeah. Sure. Whatever you want.” My attention was elsewhere. My eyes locked on the man who had just walked into the backyard.

Noah and Dom had arrived. Of course, Damon was with them. Dressed all in black, the muscles in his arms firm and tight, shown off by his T-shirt. I caught myself staring. Yet I couldn’t look away. Not until his gaze met mine. His golden brown eyes locking on me. Sending a spark of something hot and wicked right to my core.

I tore my eyes from his, finding my friends watching me with obvious amusement. I did my best to recover. “Yeah, I’ll totally go on the roller coaster with you this year. Why not? I’m sure it will be fun, even if there is a chance of us plummeting to our deaths.”

Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t fool my best friends. Especially Storm who’d known me since we were kids.

She leaned forward in her seat, keeping her voice low. “I know that look. Although I rarely see it directed toward a man like that. One time wasn’t enough, huh?”

She laughed softly before taking a sip of her drink. Best friends were supposed to give you a hard time. God knew I had done it to each of them at some point. Having it turned around on me was no fun.

“I think Athena has finally been bitten by the bad boy bug,” Codie chuckled. “I told you danger was fun.”

She would know. The girl had a danger kink. One that Stray was all too happy to fulfill. Good for them. Finding each other and all. That wasn’t me though. That’s not what this was.

“Are we placing bets?” Luna’s pink and purple curls bobbed as she giggled. “I give it two weeks until they’re forced to admit they can’t get enough of each other.”

“Two weeks,” Codie mused, tapping her bottom lip with a finger. “They both seem pretty stubborn to me, even though I don’t really know Damon. I give it a month.”

“Would you guys give it a rest?” I couldn’t help but sneak another glance in Damon’s direction. He seemed to be going out of his way to avoid looking at me again. “It was a one and done. That’s it. That’s all.”

Despite my protests, my friends all placed their bets with each other. I sat there sipping my drink, waiting for them to get bored and change the subject. As the evening went on we enjoyed some delicious burgers and a few more drinks. Not once did Damon acknowledge my existence in any way. He seemed to be working hard to ignore me completely.

I should’ve been happy. Relieved even. Instead, I found myself growing more irritated by the minute. Who the hell did he think he was? As if he thought he could fuck me like that and then ignore my entire existence. Absolutely not.

If Damon wanted to play games, then I would play. He didn’t know who he was messing with.

My gaze fell upon the friend of Auryn’s who’d been checking me out. Maybe a little harmless flirting would get a reaction from Damon. And if not, at least I would have some fun.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

DAMON

She just had to be here, didn’t she? Like the constant appearances she’d been making in my head wasn’t enough. Now I had to look at her.

Correction. I didn’t have to look at her. Just because Athena was across the yard laughing and chatting with her friends didn’t mean I had to acknowledge her. I’d only come to this gathering because Noah had insisted that I needed to get out of the house. He thought it was unhealthy for me to spend all day sleeping and all night taking on various jobs from our clientele.

The last few nights I’d spent in a neighboring city taking care of business. Anything to keep myself busy. Whatever it took to stay away from her.