See No Evil

“I know your heart is in the right place, but I think this is more of a guy thing,” I explain, my last attempt to avoid this awkward-as-fuck conversation.

“Well, you’re in luck. You’ve got two guys right here,” she beams at my two best friends, nudging Easton’s shoulder with her own. “But something tells me you’ll do better with a woman’s point of view than one of these guys. A certain tattooed girl with vibrant, black and blue hair giving you a hard time, is she?” she singsongs with stars in her eyes.

My jaw falls flat on the table. Not only is Ke

“How did you know?”

She leans back into the leather cushion with an all-knowing smile splaying her lips, looking pleased for nailing my current predicament right on the head.

“Oh, come on, Fi

“Shit,” I mumble.

I don’t like the idea of being the center of gossip, and I know for a fact that Stone is going to fucking hate it, too. It’s just something else to add to her cons’ list where I’m concerned.

“So, what’s going on with you two?” Ke

“Honestly, I don’t know,” I confess exasperatedly, making her brows furrow together at witnessing my frustration.

“Okay. How about you use your words and explain why you’re in such a sullen mood? Baby steps, Fi

“Fine. Whatever. You’ll bust my balls one way or another.”

“I think our boy is finally getting it,” East jokes, leaning into the table right alongside Ke

I look at Linc, and he’s just as attentive.

Curious fuckers, the lot of them.

Guess I’ve got to bite the bullet, or they’ll never leave me alone. But fuck, this is going to be a hard one to live with once I come clean.

“So, have you ever been with someone, and uh… had an incredible night together, uh… had mind-blowing sex, and then two minutes afterward, they’re, uh… they’re ready to bounce like it never happened?”

“You mean hit it and quit it like you usually do, motherfucker?” Easton teases with a laugh.

I flip him off again while Ke

“Ouch.”

“Stop being a dick and answer him, East. Can’t you see Fi

“Why can’t Linc answer him? He gets around just as much as I do,” East defends, tilting his chin in Lincoln’s direction while holding his stomach to prevent her from hitting him again.

Even though Ke

“Ke

“Whatever,” he mumbles, and then pretends to take a minute to really think about it. “So, I’ve had some clingers. I’ve definitely had some seconds. I also had my share of one-nighters, but never one who was ready to hit the road after only one fuck. You sure you rocked her world, man? You do know your hands aren’t just for throwing around a football, right?” he goads, wiggling his fingers in my face.

“First of all, fuck you. Of course I know how to use my goddamn hands. And second of all, I know when a girl is faking and when she’s not. And Stone was definitely not faking.”

“Had a lot of experience with girls faking it, have you?” he jokes, gaining a muffled chuckle from Linc at my side.

“Again, fuck off!” I seethe through my teeth at him, but the fucker just laughs away at my misery. “I knew this was a bad idea,” I groan, slumping in my seat, pushing the plate of muffins away.

These assholes have managed to take away my appetite, and that’s saying something. I’m a big guy, so I’m always down for a snack. These idiots just ruined any craving for sugar I could have had.

Assholes.

“Will you two stop?” Ke

“She did say she had to work,” I mumble, still unconvinced.

“See? She was just being responsible. Don’t take it so personally. You both had fun. That’s what you should be focusing on.”

“I guess.”

Shit, I think I might even be pouting. The fuck is wrong with me? Am I becoming a pussy all of a sudden? I’m looking down at my crotch and see that all my male parts are still intact, but it sure feels like my balls have taken a leave of absence along with my dick, leaving me high and dry on this one.

Ke

I feel my forehead wrinkle and my nose twitch at the question, but before I’m able to organize my thoughts and give Ke

“I don’t think so,” she sings.

“You’re wrong,” he deadpans.

“I’m right.”

“Not on this one, Ken.”

“God, you’re infuriating.”

“Is East right? Is that all?” Lincoln hushes beside me while Ke

I turn to face Linc, and although his features seem carefree and bright, beneath his ocean-blue eyes I see a storm brewing—one provoked by fear and regret. He knows, as well as I do, the threat looming above us. Stone is only a target for The Society. Nothing more, nothing less. For all our sakes, it will pay me well to remember that.

I give him a curt nod, which seems to lighten the weight of the boulder on his shoulders, even if just by a little bit. His instant relief throws rocks into the pit of my stomach, making my insides twist and coil at the unexpected assault.

Why do I feel like I just lied to my best friend?

“Yeah, I don’t buy it,” Ke

“It wasn’t a date!” all three of us answer her in unison.

“God, you guys are being such weirdos. What’s the problem if Fi

“Fi

Shit.

We all look up in unison and are confronted with the other two men in Ke

I don’t mind Jeff so much, even though he can be a tool when he wants to. But he’s a pussycat compared to the senator’s son at his side. That’s the asshole I can’t stand. Maybe it’s my loyalty to Linc that makes me biased, but there’s just something about the guy that rubs me the wrong way. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he likes to play for both teams. I couldn’t give a fuck where he likes to stick his dick. I’m just not entirely convinced that he’ll stop getting his cock sucked by all genders, once he gets Ke