Shane (Damage Control 4)

I have to make up my mind that Shane is out of bounds for me. I can fantasize about him fucking me into next Sunday all I want, but what he needs right now is a friend.

Seth. God, I need to talk to Seth ASAP, find out more about Shane’s past. Can’t put it off any longer.

“Why don’t we go have a drink together? Mom and daughter?” She lifts her head from the window, giving me a hopeful look. “You could call that boy you’re lusting after and meet him there.”

Yeah. No way. “I don’t think so, Mom.”

“Oh come on. I’ll help you. We’ll get the young man out of his shell.” She winks at me, and it’s disturbing. “He won’t be able to resist two sexy girls together.”

“Mom, he isn’t like that. Believe me. It’s complicated.”

“Psh.” She waves a hand dismissively and returns to her contemplation of the street. “Men are all the same.”

My jaw clenches so hard my teeth grind together. I don’t trust my mom not to come on to Shane, try to grope him, flirt with him until he runs—or worse, has another flashback.

How sad is it that I can’t get through to my own mom, the only family I have left, and that I can’t trust her not to hit on the one guy I like?

The one guy I’d do anything for.

Shit, when did this happen? When did I pass the oh-he’s-so-hot and oh-he’s-so-nice stage to falling for him hard?

“I’ll take you to your bed,” I say, keeping my gaze ahead and my thoughts to myself, ignoring her plaintive protests. “And stay away from my boy.”

Yes, I know how that sounded, and God, for the first time in my life I know I’m in way over my head.

***

Manon answers her phone after the third time, and she sounds breathless. “What is it, Cass?”

Not “how are you, is everything okay?”

I have the distinct feeling I’ve interrupted something, and normally I’d tease her mercilessly, but not tonight.

“Need to talk to Seth, girl. Is he around?”

“Yes, he’s around.” She mutters something, giggles.

Yep, definitely interrupted something. Ah well. They’ll live. “Is it…” I swallow hard. Can’t do this over the phone, I suddenly realize. “It is okay if I come by?”

“Now? Isn’t it kind of late?”

I check the time on the car clock. Ten PM on a Tuesday evening. “Just for five minutes. I promise.”

“Don’t know…” Seth’s voice rings in the background, and he doesn’t sound happy.

Crap.

“Please,” I say, gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white.

“Why?” Seth’s bass voice says into the phone, startling me. “What’s up?”

I lick my dry lips, debate how much to say—then decide, screw this.

“I need a clue,” I blurt out, fighting to keep my voice steady.

“What sort of clue, Cassie?”

“A clue before I face Shane again. Before I do something that can potentially hurt him—again.”