Part 1 (1/2)

Crazy Stupid Obsession.

Crazy Love.

Melissa Toppen.

Love isn't perfect. It's crazy. It's stupid. It's messy. It's flawed. That's what makes it so d.a.m.n beautiful.

Chapter One.

Gavin.

f.u.c.king Decklan... He's my brother. Not by blood but that doesn't matter. I'd take a bullet for him and him for me. But right now I'm thinking I'd be more likely to f.u.c.king kill him myself than rather die for him.

Of course, none of this is his fault.

I'm the one who chose to pull Kimber into this which is what ultimately put me in this little predicament. I knew I needed Kimber. Decklan needed her. I didn't know what else to do. He's been sitting at Conner's grave for d.a.m.n near four hours, and she's the only one that can seem to talk any sense into his stupid a.s.s. Though I never thought I'd see the day when a woman would have that much power over him.

Regardless, I should have insisted Harlee not come with us. But even I know no matter how hard I tried to prevent that from happening, she would have ended up coming just the same. Kimber's her friend, her roommate, and if there's one thing I've learned about Harlee Travers it's that she's fiercely loyal and protective of the people she cares about.

I wish I could say her mistrust in me is misplaced, but even I know that's not the case. She sees me, maybe clearer than anyone else does. The thought is more than a little unnerving.

I try to block out the hushed conversation taking place next to me and focus my attention outside, but it doesn't do me much good. Hearing her giggle into the phone to Bryan, the guy she's apparently dating, is enough to make my blood boil, though I'm not entirely sure why.

”I know. I'm sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you.” I watch her out of the corner of my eye as she talks.

I don't know why it bothers me so f.u.c.king much, but right now the urge to grab the phone from her hand and tell this Bryan f.u.c.k that she's mine is d.a.m.n near overwhelming.

Mine? I don't even understand the notion.

We f.u.c.ked... Once.

Yeah it was good, and yes I have thought about it more than I probably would a normal hook up, but that doesn't mean I suddenly have some claim on her, or that I even want one for that matter.

”So, how long have you two been seeing each other?” I ask the question the moment she disconnects the call and lowers the phone from her ear, trying my best to sound as casual and unaffected as possible.

”Not long.” She pushes her long blonde hair over her shoulder and turns her gaze out the window, staring out into the darkness.

I can see her face in the reflection of the gla.s.s, the dash lights illuminating her in the softest glow. I find myself momentarily distracted by how f.u.c.king beautiful she is.

I shake my head, trying to pull myself out of my haze.

I'm f.u.c.ked up over all the s.h.i.+t Deck is going through and making sure his crazy a.s.s is taken care of. I must just be off my game.

I need to get f.u.c.king laid, for starters.

”Is it serious?” Another question falls from my mouth like vomit I can't seem to swallow down.

Is it serious?

Am I f.u.c.king serious right now with these stupid a.s.s f.u.c.king questions?

”What, are we friends now?” She snaps her head toward me, narrowing her gaze.

”Just trying to make conversation.” I give her an innocent smile to which she reacts with an eye roll before turning back toward the window.

I reach out and rest my hands on top of the steering wheel, letting out a loud breath. There's something about sitting this close to Harlee that has me all sorts of f.u.c.ked up. It doesn't help matters that she seems to have an issue with me, though it's not hard to guess why.

I really wish she hadn't come. I have no idea how long we will be sitting here. Every minute that ticks by becomes that much more difficult not to pull her into my lap and feel her tight and wet around me.

f.u.c.k.

Why did I tell Deck I would steer clear of her again?

I mean, not that he ever asked me to stay away from her. That's not his style. But out of respect for him and Kimber, I thought it best that I not add insult to injury where Harlee is concerned.

I'm fully aware of my ability to royally f.u.c.k everything up. I don't want to make things more difficult for Decklan. He's going through enough s.h.i.+t right now as it is.

Even still, I bet Harlee would happily let me f.u.c.k her again if I made the first move. Her anger is a smoke screen, a useless tactic to try to throw me off her real issue. She's not mad that I didn't come running to her after we f.u.c.ked. She's mad because she wants to f.u.c.k me again despite the fact that I completely blew her off.

f.u.c.k. I'm a little mad, too.

A small laugh escapes my lips at the thought, causing Harlee to s.h.i.+ft in her seat. I flip my eyes to the side, my gaze instantly falling to the inside of her thigh where her black dress has ridden up slightly. I immediately feel myself start to tighten at the thought of running my hands along her smooth flesh.

f.u.c.k... I really do need to get laid.

”I wonder what's going on out there.” When she finally speaks she doesn't look in my direction. Instead, she continues to peer into the darkness, clearly just trying to fill the silence that has now settled around us.

”Who knows?” I shrug.

”So what's his deal anyway?” She finally meets my gaze, the green specks in her hazel eyes standing out in the dim lighting.

”Who Decklan?” I question.

”No, Prince Charles,” she bites sarcastically as she rolls her eyes. ”Yes Decklan,” she tacks on.

”Not my s.h.i.+t to tell.” I shrug.

”I'm not asking for his life story.” She doesn't seem the least bit offended by my lack of an answer. ”I just want to know what he's like, considering he's dating my roommate who happens to be a very good friend of mine.”

”Why don't you ask Kimber?” I bounce my leg, growing increasingly more impatient.

”Because she loves him,” she answers simply.