“It’s nothing,” I mutter. I spit blood into the grass and try to walk past her, but she catches my wrist.
“Luke, wait. Talk to me.”
“Not right now, Sierra.” I ease my hand free, stepping away. I can’t do this. Can’t be the easy, gentle version of me she knows.
The anger is still there, simmering under the surface. It feels familiar in a way I don’t like—as if stepping back into an older, less mature version of myself I thought I’d left behind.
Maybe that’s why he got to me so easily.
Because this isn’t who I am anymore.
Or at least, it’s not who I’m supposed to be.
I should’ve ignored him. Walked away. Let him sulk.
Instead, I went looking for it. Pushed him until he swung.
I can tell myself I was joking, that I didn’t mean it, but there was something else underneath.
Something darker.
I knew exactly what I was doing.
I deliberately provoked him. He reacted.
And here we are.
You’re a fucking mess, Luke.
Disgust at my own actions hits hard, but nausea hits too, and on the way back in, I make a mental note to stop in the bathroom and throw up.
Right on cue, the self-loathing follows.
Once Reid’s done with Talon, he’ll come looking for me. I don’t want to be here when he does, so I make a beeline straight to my room, grab my keys, and then head for the door.
A few guests watch me in the hallway as I pass.
I wonder how many of them saw it. Saw how un-Zen I really am. Not exactly a great look for one of the owners of a health and wellbeing retreat.
We’re going to lose a few memberships over this. Reid’s going to be furious. He’s worked his ass off, building this place, and I just dragged it through the mud.
Nice one.
What happened shouldn’t have happened. Not at all. But definitely not in front of everyone.
And the worst part is I don’t even fully understand why it did.
You do. You just don’t want to say it out loud.
Sierra’s still outside with Amanda and Key when I storm past. They watch me head for the truck.
“You alright, man?” Key calls.
I give a thumbs-up as I get in. But as I pull out of the lot, Sierra’s expression sticks with me—confused, hurt.
Shit. What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I push it this far?
Because I knew something had happened between them. I could feel it. The way her eyes drifted to him. That soft, distant look on her face.