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“Ace of Clubs?”

“You’re killing me, Scary Girl.” He groans and hands over the card. “Do you have X-ray vision or something?”

“Just lucky.” She tosses a card out on the open face pile with that cavalier attitude she always had when she was winning. Which was most of the time since it was almost impossible to concentrate on the cards in my hand when all I wanted to do was stare at her.

Like he is now. He reaches over and strokes her cheek. “I’m the one who’s lucky. Getting to spend time with you.”

She leans in. He does too.

I can’t see it when he kisses her, but the buzz under my skin tells me that’s what I’m watching.

His gaze meets mine over her head as he realizes I’m there. “What’s up?”

She turns to see who he’s talking to and her smile disappears.

I hate myself for making her so sad.

Kodiak clears his throat.

Kelsey and I both blink, and she turns back to the cards.

“Did you need something?” he asks.

I need her back in my life, but that’s not up to me to decide. I need her to be happy, and that’s something I can impact. She isn’t my stalker’s target. I am. There’s no point in stressing her over someone who isn’t her problem. And who will never get close to her again.

I hunt for an excuse for my loitering outside the dressing room among the hair and skin products on his vanity. In the massive bag of Reese’s pieces and other essentials from his rider. In the speaker attached to his open laptop.

I come up with nothing, so I stick to my original story. “Didn’t have any High E strings in my backpack, so I’m grabbing one. Better get back to it.”

With that I leave them to their card game, grab Rook, and make my way back to the truck and the cops who are waiting to question me.

16

Kelsey

Between Sonatina’s constant bullying, my inability to find closure with Riot and mourning Harlowe... and this connection between Kodiak and me growing into something I’m not ready to admit is more than fun... I had a lot to type about in therapy today.

Texting back and forth with Dr. Applegate isn’t the same as talking to her. But since Riot told us Sonatina probably has us bugged, no conversation feels safe.

I’m just shutting my laptop when Bronx appears from his room. I knew I wasn’t alone. I’m never alone. But Bronx had given me the room when I told him I had therapy. Said he had some things to take care of himself.

Coming up behind where I’m sitting on the couch, he ruffles my hair. “Hey, Kells Bells. Any chance therapy made you hungry? Want something to eat? I’m going to order room service.”

It’s just him, me, and Jasper in the hotel tonight. Golden decided to head downtown and check out the scene. Kodiak had a family thing—an emergency of some sort. He was vague about it. I offered to reschedule my appointment with Dr. Applegate and go with him. In case he needed someone. But he said he needed to go alone, and he would be back just as soon as he could get away.

I didn’t even know he had family in Texas.

And Riot is out showing off his new fiancée in what is no doubt a very public display of choreographed affection. First, it was all over Vegas. Then Phoenix, where they performed together. And now Dallas.

Whatever. He can do what he wants.

Lennon went with them. She’s been quieter since our night out, if that’s even possible, but she talks to me sometimes, when Sonatina isn’t around being a giant bitch to her. I’ve even managed to get her to laugh a couple of times.

I’d ask her about the money Sonatina accused me of stealing, but we never have a chance to talk somewhere Sonatina might not be listening. It’s not like we can go for a walk and chat with Marco out there somewhere and Sonatina always ready to chew Lennon out.

But maybe if I could find a way... she might help me prove Sonatina is the one who stole the money and that I’m innocent.

“Unless you’d prefer some Tex-Mex,” Bronx continues. “Or we could get an egg sandwich.”