Chapter 7

I wait for the nasty shooting words I know Dane will wield as a weapon and lower my eyes to the blurry text in my book because my eyes won’t focus. There’s a silent pause as I brace myself for whatever is coming. Steeling myself not to react and show him he has something he can twist.

“It’s his loss, Kayla. Fuck him. Stop chasing him……he doesn’t deserve your attention. In time, you’ll stop caring as much.”

Not what I expected, and I flicker a glance up at him, frowning as I try to find the malice in it. Knowing that could not have been a form of nice veiled in attitude from the great Dane Masterson. He catches my dubious look, shrugs at me, and returns to leaning his head back with a sigh.

“Just because you love him doesn’t mean you have to excuse his neglect. Or take his bullshit.” He closes his eyes, back to that casual slouch like the world doesn’t faze him. His tone is less smug and hints at bitterness, and I wonder if he is projecting his skewed view of his own da