LOGINNoah POV“How about I move in with you in Wood Town, Noah?”Reemar, all bright and cheery, dropped that on me out of nowhere. Not like I saw it coming.”Oh, wow. That’s… that’s a dope idea… but honestly? You’re better off staying in Center City.”“Why? You said you wanted to date me, didn’t you?”“Hm, yeah. But I like a little challenge. And aren’t you still trying to get back at your ex-fiancé? I can just come visit you in Center City and… ““That’s what you’re thinking about? Noah, you actually want to get revenge… “I flashed her a smile. One I knew would make her melt. She pulled me in, and next thing I knew, we were making out. It didn't take long ‘til I had her clothes off. I turned into a total animal up there on the bed. Been way too long holding back all this tension. Reemar knew her way around. Her body was on fire, and kept me on my toes. I got her off fast, then took what I wanted. That’s all it was. Yeah, just that. But… nah. Who am I kidding? I had a plan. And Reemar? Sh
Casey POVSlap!!“Stay the fuck away from Reemar, Noah! You can hit on anyone else but not my friend, not Reemar!”My blood was boiling. I couldn’t control my body. As soon as Reemar told me Noah had been hitting on her, I hopped in my car and drove straight to his garage.Noah was quiet. He was sitting on a car hood, staring at me with a tiny, mocking smile.“Why? Do you fucking care?”I let out a cold laugh. “Of course I do. Reemar’s my friend. She’s not like all those other girls you can just destroy.”“Destroy her? Who’s destroying who, Casey? What do you even think of me?”“You mean to tell me you’re actually trying to date Reemar? You think I’d buy that shit?”“Hmmm. I’m dead serious. I do want to date her. She’s cute, she’s honest. She sees me for who I am without looking down on me.”“Did you tell her you’ve been to jail?”“I’m serious about Reemar. There’s nothing I’d hide from her.”I tugged at my hair in frustration. My thoughts were all jumbled. Noah’s answer was clear, bu
Noah POVSilence mixed with tension flooded the air. I went quiet after spilling everything I’d been holding in for so long. And Casey… man, she was crying, crying like someone who’d just lost everything.The damage I’d taken was too much. Losing James wasn’t easy, and then Black Hell getting shut down on top of that? My dad treated me like a stranger now, even though he gave me a fresh start after I got out of jail. But without James and Black Hell, I was just a loser.“Get out of here, Casey. Wood Town ain’t good enough for you,” I said, making sure my voice was cold as ice.Casey was the reason all this happened. My biggest regret was not listening to James. I never should’ve gone near her, but… even though I was so mad. Even though I blamed her for every single problem, there was a part of me that missed her. I couldn’t help it.“I am sorry,” Casey whispered, her voice scratchy. “Forgive me for causing all this.”I took a deep breath. “Apologize don't bring James back, Casey.”“Th
Casey POV“Come on, Casey. Why are you sitting here like you’re worth nothin’?”Reemar grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the river.“No, no, Reem. I can’t… “I wasn’t ready to get soaked in river water. I just wanted to tag along with him.“Good idea!”Noah popped up from the water, climbing onto the bank. His eyes had that look. The one I knew all too well. That damn sneer of his was familiar as hell.“No, Noah, no!”Noah shook his head. He closed in on me, lifting my body with Reemar’s help.“Fuck, let me go!”They swung me around. Laughing their asses off. The river water was like it was waving at me. Oh, no…In seconds, my body was flying into the river. One minute the air was free and clear. The next, cold, crisp water was wrapping around me. I lost control for a second, water flooding my nose and mouth, but only for a beat before my brain snapped back to reality. I tried to push my head up, kicking my legs. The current was a little strong. I could stand, but my foot slipped. I
Casey POV“Going out?” I raised my voice as Reemar tried to talk me into hanging out.Real talk, I’d asked for a week in Wood Town just to chill. My schedule in Center City was insane, and it was all so emotionally draining. I needed a break from all the chaos. And one of the reasons I didn’t stay at my mom’s place? I really wanted some me-time, just for myself.“Please, Casey. Noah made time for us. He said he wants to show us around Wood Town.”“Us?” I mumbled, taking a deep breath.Reemar gave me those puppy dog eyes. You know the ones, like he wasn’t gonna back down till I said yes.“Alright, alright, but… “ I trailed off, hinting at conditions.“I’ll go along with whatever rules you lay down.”I couldn’t say no to Reemar. Even though he never said it out loud, I knew his heart was broken. He was trying to distract himself from it all. I’d checked his fiancé’s socials, and the dude posted wedding pics. Reemar still hadn’t unfollowed him. Which meant he hadn’t fully let go of Patri
Casey POV“Stop!!!”I shoved Noah away. My breath came in ragged gasps. We stared at each other, both still shell-shocked from what just went down.“Casey, I am sorry… I didn’t mean to… “I squeezed my eyes shut. Why am I like this? Why did I push him away?“This is not your fault,” I said, rubbing my forehead. I stared off into nothing, my thoughts spiraling out of control.“Casey… ““I am sorry, Noah. I gotta go.”I turned to leave. No. No. I shouldn’t be doing this. Didn’t I want this? But how could I? Everything just… happened so fast.I bolted out of the vineyard, hopped in my car, and peeled out of there. I didn’t even think about Reemar. I just booked it back to the inn.My heart was racing. As soon as I got to my room, I collapsed on the floor. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. My chest felt tight, aching. I pounded on it as hard as I could. I’d been fine this whole time, right? I thought I’d moved on, living my life, focusing on my career, not dwelling on t







