Read Online Lennox by Dallas Cole - Free Book Online Page B

his inner
thoughts, because that’s not what fun, hot girls do. I build
his cars and I cheer at his rallies and I’m always down to get
dirty whenever he wants it.
    I tried to be strong for him when he needed it most. And this is how
he reacts? Screw him. I don’t need to carry us both.
    “Yeah.” I thrust my shoulders back. “Yeah, maybe we
should.”
    Nash’s upper lip twitches, like he was hoping I might fight him
on it. But I only feel more certain the longer I let the words hang
in the air. I think a break is just what I need—time to clear
my head and get over this ridiculous attachment I didn’t know I
still felt toward Lennox.
    And maybe Nash can get over his rage.
    “Yeah, well. Stay out of my way. And your uncle, too.” He
jams his arms into his driving jacket, and storms out the back door.
    I slump back against the counter, drained, and let out a muffled
groan. It was the right thing to do, and I know it is, but as
relieved as I feel, I’m also terrified. Not just for Nash, and
whatever damned foolish thing he’s about to do. But for Lennox,
too.
    It’s not my problem anymore. That’s what I try to tell
myself, anyway. If Nash and I are taking a break, then I no longer
have to give a shit what he does. But he still poses a threat to
Lennox. Lennox, who’s already long since paid for his mistakes.
Lennox, who still sets my pulse racing and my breath stuttering with
his dark lashes and lean frame and sad but honest smile. I couldn’t
bear to see him hurt again. He’s suffered enough for a
lifetime. Is he really a monster for life because of one horrible
mistake, like Nash seems to think? Am I a monster for wanting to
forgive him?
    Uncle Drazic knocks on the doorway, hesitant. His tanned face is
sagging, exhausted, but there’s pity in his gaze. “Hey, djevojka .” He leans into the kitchen. “Wanna
talk?”
    I sigh, and grab the plate of fried eggs from the counter and slide
it onto the table. “Not so much.”
    Drazic tugs at my bun and drops into one of the kitchen chairs. I
pour myself a mug full of coffee and join him. “Well, too bad,
Ellie. I’m gonna do it anyway.” He grins. “It’s
part of that whole ‘uncle’ thing I signed on for.”
    I manage a weak smile, in spite of the anger and hurt still churning
under my skin. “Not like you really had a choice.”
    “That’s life. We play the hand we’re dealt.”
He tilts his head toward me. “And I know you haven’t had
the easiest of hands.”
    I shrug and take a sip of coffee. I love my uncle as fiercely as I’d
love my own dad, if he were here. But there are some things I can’t
talk to him about. My feelings toward Lennox definitely fall under
that category. Lennox is supposed to be dead to him, after all. No
use feeling conflicted about a corpse.
    Drazic grabs a fork and gestures with it toward the eggs. I nod, and
he pulls the plate toward him, then stuffs a bite into his mouth.
“Mm. Delicious.” He wipes a dribble of yolk from the
corner of his mouth, earning him another small grin from me. “All
right, Ellie. I only want to talk about this once, so listen up.”
    I set my jaw and brace myself. Is he going to scold me for giving up
so easily on Nash?
    Drazic sighs. “You’re not handling this Lennox business
too well, either, are you? Is that part of what’s going on
here?” He wrinkles his brow. “Having Lennox back in town
is tough. It’s tough for me, too, and not just because of how
badly Nash is taking it. But I can’t imagine what you’re
feeling. I know how hard it was on you when Lennox left.”
    “Uh . . .” I mean, I can’t deny it.
Uncle D always knows when I’m lying. Something in our Drazic
blood.
    “C’mon. Everyone saw how you two were together. Ever
since Lennox came to our crew. I get it, djevojka .”
    I shake my head. “Look, I promise you, Lennox never did—I
mean, he wouldn’t even consider—”
    “Yes, I know. He’s a perfect gentleman. And besides, he
never would’ve