Caveman (Wild Men 1)

“So Zane doesn’t open up like that to people he doesn’t know well.”

Yeah, I realized that. “Is that a jab? I’m getting to know him. It takes time.”

“No, I mean he’s letting his defenses down for you. He’s acting weird.”

“So what does it mean?”

“I don’t know. All I know is… This isn’t like him. He’s letting you in. And if you hurt him, that could destroy him.”

The bar is dim and noisy. It’s also too warm. The music is a mixture of Latin and pop, and I wince inwardly. Not my kind of thing. But the guys are there, drinking and talking, and I let Tessa lead the way.

Zane isn’t with them. That’s the first thing I notice as we approach their table. Disappointment drapes over me like a leaden blanket. I was really hoping to see him.

“Hey, Dakota.” Ash drags a chair to the table for me. “What’s up?”

“Hey.” I like Ash, especially since he got together with Audrey, and I get to meet him often. He’s a cool guy, quiet and intense, although he smiles a lot more now.

His brother Tyler is there, too, with Erin, and she waves at me. I’ve met their son, the cutest little boy. The way they look at each other makes me shiver. They’re so in love, it’s mind-blowing.

Rafe comes toward us, carrying beers. He slides one in front of me, and I take it without a comment. I don’t have a fake ID, so I’ll take whatever I’m given—at least as far as drinks are concerned. Tessa’s words of warning echo in my head, but I can’t help looking around, still hoping for a certain boy to appear.

“Where’s Dylan?” Tessa asks, scanning the bar as well.

Looks like I’m not the only

one disappointed tonight.

“Relax, he’s on his way.” Tyler places his cell phone on the table. “Said he had to run an errand first.”

“He’d better. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating,” Tessa mutters and takes a long swig from her beer.

Whoa. Looks like I’m the designated driver tonight. Which shouldn’t be a problem, but not seeing Zane here makes me want to get plastered and forget how much I want him. How much I like being with him.

Tessa is right to be worried about me. Even though she told me how Zane treats girls, I haven’t stopped a second to wonder whether I should keep away from him. Not sure I can.

“He’s been acting off lately,” Ash says, sipping his beer. “He said something about his dad being back home.”

“Crap. That’s never good,” Audrey says.

“Who are you talking about? I ask.

“Dylan.” Audrey frowns down at her own beer. It’s still full. “Without his mom, he has to take care of his two brothers, and his dad has mental problems, or so we think. Dylan won’t talk about it.”

“Need to talk about this with Zane,” Ash says, and I turn to look at him, to see if he’s serious.

Tyler is nodding, too.

“Zane isn’t exactly in the right state of mind right now to deal with this.” I look at Tessa for support, but she’s staring at something at the back of the bar and doesn’t seem to hear me. The guys give me skeptical looks.

“Zane’s the strongest of us,” Ash says.

“But his sister…”

“She’s been sick for a while now. What you saw, Zane getting shitfaced and vanishing from the world… It happens from time to time.”

Crap. “So he’s not worse off than usual?”

They share an uneasy look.