Wild Card

by Elsie Silver

She brightens, like a ray of sunshine in the middle of a dark winter night. Her entire body lifts with the simple compliment, and she clasps her hands together in front of her chest. “Yeah?” I give her a firm, reassuring nod, wanting to leave no doubt in her mind as to the sincerity of my comment. “Absolutely.” Her face breaks into the most heartrending smile. And all it does is make me want to pay her more compliments.

This always happens to me. I meet someone who seems great, and then they slowly start to annoy me. They get attached more quickly than I do, and I end up feeling locked in, tied down, stuck.

Relatable

“Who the fuck told you that?” She doesn’t respond at all to my outburst even though all I want to know is who had enough nerve to say that to her face so I can set them straight. “And I allow myself to acknowledge that I am not every person’s cup of tea. Maybe I am more than they can handle. And that’s okay because I’m quite fond of myself and no one can take that away from me. I’m at peace with who I am, so what you think of me doesn’t matter.” I think you’re just right is what I want to say. But I don’t. Instead, I go with, “I don’t think you’re too much.”

“The thing is, Gwen, next time you want to watch me, you should just ask.” My brain function stutters as my eyes snap to his. “Pardon me?” “You heard me.”

She chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. And she doesn’t back down. Instead, her lips move closer to the shell of my ear. “Or what? You might man up and take something for yourself for once?” I snap. I take something for myself for once. My hands dart out and grip Gwen’s waist. “You know what?” I snarl, yanking her toward me, staring at her plush mouth as her lips softly part—no doubt to say something infuriating. But I don’t let her get a word in edgewise. “Fuck it,” I mutter. Then I kiss her.

I had to sit there and pat his back over it. And do you know what I was thinking about the entire time?” I blink. I had no clue Tripp was still upset over our breakup. “What’s that?” “That he was a fool to let you get away. But that it was just as well because I could fuck you better.” I suck in a breath as Bash’s dark eyes bore into mine.

“You know I can get into the truck myself,” I say, curving a brow in his direction. He shrugs. “Yeah, I know. But I think I’ve spent enough time not touching you.” He shoots me a wink and slams the door before rounding the vehicle to his side.

He reaches a hand toward me. “Hi. I’m Beau. Here to help you out. What do you say we get the hell off this mountain?” I shake his hand through the open window, grateful. “Sounds like a really, really great plan. You are officially my hero.”