Read Inevitable (Key West #2) for Free Online Page B

good-looking guy—a guy that happens to be interested in you,” Callie stated as if that explained it all. “Why wouldn’t you go for it?”
    I shrugged and sat up. I had a feeling there was no chance of me falling back to sleep, not with these two hounding me for information on events I had no desire to relive. “I don’t like Easton in that way. He’s cute, yeah, maybe even a little sexy.”
    Avery gasped. “A little? That man oozes sexy. It is like his own little atmosphere, and he carries it well.”
    “Well, then maybe you should go for him.” The moment I said it, I regretted it. My stomach tightened and I felt nauseous.
    “Even if I wanted to, it would be a waste of my time. It’s obvious he has his mind set on you. Besides…” She gave me a wide smile. “I sort of have a thing for Kade.”
    I took this opportunity to change the subject. “Have you told him?” She shook her head. “You should,” I pressed.
    “Kade’s made it clear that he isn’t looking for a relationship anytime soon.” I instantly sensed her disappointment.
    “Hey, you know that has nothing to do with you, right?” I said. “He’s dealt with some things that have changed him. I know you didn’t know him in school, because you were a few grades behind him, but he went through a rough time.”
    “Yeah, I know,” she replied. “I’ve heard several versions of the story, but I’ve never been too sure of what was the actual true one.”
    His heartache and turmoil wasn’t mine to tell. “He just has a really hard time opening up to people.”
    I’d known Kade long before we went to high school together. He was so outgoing then, which makes the changes he’s gone through since just seem more drastic. After his girlfriend died in the accident, he just fell apart. He went from being so full of life to being a shell of himself. There was even a time period where he left town without letting anyone know he planned to go. He took Jenna’s death hard, and he still blames himself for it.
     
    ***
     
    After a quick breakfast and another round of questioning from the girls, I snuck out of Jett’s house. The last thing I wanted to do was stick around and take the risk of seeing Easton again. I was irritated at myself for allowing last night to happen. I let my guard down and that made me vulnerable. I let my desire for Easton take hold, so his rejection stung a little—okay maybe a lot.
    I was so pissed at myself.
    After taking a quick shower, I threw on my workout clothes and whistled for Brutus. “Let’s go, big boy,” I told him as I hooked his leash onto his collar. “What do you say we go for a walk?”
    Yes, taking Brutus for a walk always caught people’s attention. He was over 150 pounds next to my 110 pound frame. He might look like a tank, but he was actually just a huge cuddle bug. I got him two days after I bought my condo, and he quickly became my sidekick and my best friend.
    I led him down the front steps and paused to lock the door, then we began our walk toward the beach. I had my ear buds hooked up to my phone and was listening to music when an incoming call interrupted Kings of Leon. My heart raced and my mind felt scrambled when I looked down at the screen and saw Easton’s number. I wasn’t sure I was ready to face the humiliation of his rejection. The fact he had that effect on me drove me insane.
    I waited too long to answer, and the call went to voice mail. Instant relief washed over me, but I tensed once again when the second call came in. He was persistent, I would give him that.
    “What?” I answered in a clipped tone.
    “Good morning.” His voice sounded gruff and confident. “Why did you sneak off last night?”
    His question surprised me. I actually thought I made the awkward situation easier by removing myself. “I went to bed.”
    “I never said I didn’t want to spend time with you. I know that was what you were thinking.”
    I stopped walking, and Brutus paused at my feet,