I Love You More Than I'm Afraid (Our Forevers #2), Rebel Hart [best adventure books to read .txt] 📗

just kick my legs up at Suli’s apartment felt like the perfect way to spend a day.

And that was exactly what I would do.

“How’s it hangin’ here at The Undersound?!” one of the performers called out. We threw our hands in the air and screamed, as did everyone around us. “I gotta say. I’ve seen very few places turn up like this on a Monday! This one goes out to everyone who knows how to party no matter what day of the week it is!”

Everyone let out another round of cheers and then the band kicked up another song. It generated more of a mosh pit than the last song had, and none of us were particularly into the ‘jump up and down and crash into other people’ movement. Codie had a hand on my waist and pulled me backwards out of the group, and I caught Suli’s hand and pulled her with me. She took a huge step forward and slammed against me, pressing her lips against my neck. I leaned back and let her have her way until Codie started to bonk each of us on the head.

“Stop. That,” he said, enunciating each word as he smacked. “I’m not a bed.”

We backed up into the VIP booth we’d commandeered where Darton and Polly were in full makeout mode. Codie rolled his eyes, but Suli pulled herself against my back and wrapped her arms around my torso. “See? We’re not the only ones.” She kissed my neck again.

“I suggest you all find rooms,” he said.

“Fine by me,” Darton said. “We pay good money for one.” He stood up, failing to hide his boner, but not seeming to care. “We’re outta here. See you guys.”

We all gave our own forms of “Bye” as they slipped past us and walked out.

“What about us?” Suli said. “You’re coming over right?”

“Hell yeah,” I said. “My boner may not be as visible as Darton’s, but trust me, I have one.”

Codie fake gagged. “And if I stay here, I’ll never have one again.”

I laughed. “I’ll walk you out.”

Suli pushed both Codie and I down to sit on the couch. “Just wait five minutes and let me finish up my shift then we’ll all leave.”

Codie’s jaw dropped. “You’re working?! You’ve been on the dancefloor for the last hour.”

She shrugged. “The owner has convinced himself that if he lets me do whatever I want I’ll magically be not gay and interested in what’s in his pants.”

“You’re such a good person,” I said.

Suli flipped me off, laughing. “Fuck you. You’re benefiting from it.”

I looked over at Codie as Suli walked out. “She’s not wrong.”

Codie kept a watch on the curtain until Suli was totally gone, then he looked across the booth at me. “Are you seriously gonna go home with her?”

My head was swirling and my skin had a delightful, warm fuzziness to it. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Oh, boy, let me unravel my list of reasons.” He mimed pulling a scroll out of his pocket and whipping it out as if it was a very long list. “You don’t have feelings for her, she’s six years older than you, she’s a bad influence—”

“I was the one that came onto her,” I said.

“How big was the gun you held to her head?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes. “Listen, I’m not really in the mood to be lectured today. Please stop.”

“What are you even doing here? You haven’t been here in months. I thought maybe you finally gave all of this up.”

I recoiled at that. “Why would I give all of this up?”

“Arden, this isn’t good for you. None of this is,” he said.

“You just danced with me for like two hours. I didn’t see you dragging me out of here,” I said. “I know what I’m doing. You’re not that much older than me, so don’t act like you’re just that much better at making decisions.”

“I know I’m not. I’m shit at making decisions. Why do you think I’m here and spent the last two hours dancing with you?” he hissed.

“Ow,” I snapped. “Fuck you then.”

“No, Arden.” He stood up and walked over to sit right next to where I was. “I love spending time with you. I don’t connect with many people, but we have a shared experience that means I will probably never trust another soul as much as I trust you. I love you and care about you. I just don’t want to see you drift off down a crazy path. You’re so smart and talented—you could be anything you want.”

“So could you, but you’re here,” I said.

“I’m in college. I have a job. Maybe I sleep around a bit, but I don’t give people any control over me. Can’t you see that she’s taking advantage of you?” he said.

“If anything it’s the other way around,” I retorted. “She gets me in here for free. She never makes me pay for anything. She gives me a place to run to when I need an escape from my parents. She’s helped keep me from flying off the deep end. If anything I’m taking advantage of her.”

“Then either way this isn’t a healthy relationship. You should let it go,” Codie said. “I’m just concerned you’re not… I don’t know, placing enough value on your life. A couple of small hiccups are not enough to completely toss everything away.”

I let out a loud groan. “I’m not throwing anything away. I just want to destress. That’s it.”

Codie didn’t seem convinced, but he stopped arguing. In place of saying anything else, he just snuggled a little closer and thunked his head against mine. I smiled. All things considered, I was a pretty lucky lady.

I had wonderful friends.

Maybe part of the reason Codie stopped the conversation was because he knew that five minutes had passed, and not long after we stopped talking, Suli came blowing back into the booth. She had her purse slung over her shoulder and a dazed smile on her face. “Okay. Let’s go.”

After excusing our way through the