“
He peered up at the house.
“I know you’re finished in there, Blake. May as well come out.”
I breathed a silent sigh.
Blake strolled onto the deck wearing low-slung skater shorts and flip-flops. Being shirtless must’ve been mandatory in California. I kind of wished they’d get dressed so I could focus properly when I told them about the prophecy. Blake joined us beside the pool.
“So . . . ,” said Blake, rocking back on his heels. “Lover’s quarrel over?”
“We’re not lovers,” Kaidan and I said together.
“What’s stopping you?” Blake smiled.
“What’s stopping you and Ginger?” Kaidan asked.
“An ocean, man. Fu—” He glanced at me. “Uh . . . eff you.”
“Eff me?” Kaidan asked, grinning. “No, eff you, mate.”
Blake put a fist over his mouth when he caught what must have been a seething look on my face, and he laughed, punching Kaidan in the arm.
“Told you, man! She’s pissed about the cursing thing! Ginger was right.”
I shook my head. I wouldn’t look at them. I was too humiliated to deny it.
“Girl, all you have to do is say the word, and Mr. Lusty McLust a Lot here will be happy to whisper some dirty nothings in your ear.”
Kaidan half grinned, sexuality rolling off him as wild as the Pacific below us.
I took a shaky breath.
“I don’t appreciate when people are fake with me.” I pointed this statement at Kaidan.
Okay, calling him a fake was overboard, especially if he was just being respectful. But my feelings were bruised and battered. If Kai wasn’t going to forgive me or be willing to talk, I couldn’t hang around and deal with his bad attitude. It hurt too much, and the unfairness frustrated me to no end. “If you guys will sit down and shut up for a minute, I’ll tell you what I came here to say, and then I’m out of here. You two can find someone else to make fun of.”
They both wiped the smiles from their faces. I pulled a padded lawn chair over and sat. They moved a couple of chairs closer, giving me their attention.
”
”