Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
He emerged into the courtyard in time to see Mike enter the bar. With his mouth dry, Arden strode after him, trying to avoid any and all glances, because if someone caught his gaze, they might—
“Hey, Arden,” Axel said, grabbing Arden’s wrist from the chair he sat in.
Kane tried to stifle his laughter, rubbing Shay’s thigh as she slept next to him, spread out on the sofa, a small towel covering her eyes to make the day a little bit darker.
Arden’s tactic clearly hadn’t worked this time.
“W-what is it?”
Axel licked his lips, his permanently-somber face tense. “It’s… it might be a weird question...”
“A Tinder date left him hanging again,” Kane said, biting his lip to avoid laughing too loudly.
Axel’s cheek twitched. “Is there something wrong with me?”
Arden dared a smile. “Try looking a bit less like you wanna peel someone’s face off?”
Kane burst with laughter, prompting Shay to shove at him with a groan. “Some solid advice right there.”
Axel hummed, and the corners of his lips lifted, revealing his teeth, but his brows were still drawn together. Arden wasn’t sure what that expression was supposed to be, but it sure wasn’t a smile.
“Yeah, like that,” he said to free himself from this impromptu dating advice moment.
He managed to avoid any other interactions on his way upstairs, but when he stood at the door to Mike’s new room and sweated into his T-shirt, he stalled. He hovered his hand close to the wood, took a deep breath, but didn’t get to knock, because the door opened, smacking Arden with a gust of air, and Mike froze mid-step.
They stood almost chest to chest, and Arden had to use all of his willpower not to lean in and kiss Mike.
“I… You’re leaving already?” Arden eyed Mike’s backpack. Small and green, it looked unassuming, but whatever items it contained, Arden was happy they weren’t meant for him.
Mike nodded. “Don’t leave the clubhouse until I call you, okay? I just have to talk to Axel, and I’m off.”
Arden’s lips itched as if ants were crawling on the inside of his skin, but he would not kiss Mike. That ship had sailed.
Mike locked his door, smiled, and went off, leaving Arden to his chaotic thoughts. But one thing he knew—he didn’t want to be out of Mike’s life yet, and there was only one thing that would keep Mike here. He took a deep breath and sped for the other staircase, intent to reach the kitchen as soon as humanly possible.
He just hoped it was empty.
But no. The small space filled with dirty pots had to be occupied by Sammy, who was the sluttiest dishwasher Arden had ever seen. To be fair, she did have a juicy ass to fill those leather shorts, but Arden wouldn’t be complimenting her.
“Hey, Sam? Axel wanted to talk to you,” he said to drive her out.
She groaned but pulled off her rubber gloves. They’d remained in a state of cold war since that fight during car wash, but that was still better than scratching each other’s faces off.
“What the hell does he want?” she said, throwing the gloves on the counter with a wet slap.
Arden shrugged when she passed him, but his brain was boiling with adrenaline. There was only one thing he could think of to keep Mike here for at least one more day. He approached the stove with his heart in his throat and tried not to think too much, because there was hardly any time for doubts.
“For Mike,” he whispered to get psych himself up, but as he turned on the gas, and the flames came alive, cold sweat still dampened his back.
This would be painful, but Mike would stay if Arden got injured. Because Mike cared for him like that, and he’d never leave him behind.
Still, Arden’s stomach turned, causing nausea as his bristled forearm hair neared the purple flames, but just as he expected them to catch fire, quick footsteps made him spin around in fear. He didn’t get to say a word before Mike grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away from the stove.
“What. The. Fuck,” he uttered, breathless, staring at Arden with wide blue eyes that expressed… hurt?
Arden held his hand to his chest, even though the flames had barely gotten a sniff of his skin. The burnt smell hung in the air like a badge of guilt. “Um… What are you doing here?” he whined despite knowing he’d been caught red-handed. He had no alternative plan.
Mike reached behind him, switched off the gas, and pushed Arden against the counter, his hair hanging wildly around his face. “Sammy said Axel wanted to see her. A lie. The question is, what were you trying to do with the stove?”
Arden couldn’t watch the fury burning in Mike’s gaze and hugged himself, defeated. No lie would have saved him now. “I don’t want you to go…”