Fracture

CHAPTER ELEVEN

☆ ♫ Patrick ♫ ☆

After telling Scarlett I'd stay up with her, I was surprised she didn't pour out her beer and head to bed.

She had instead nodded and took another sip of her drink.

Today's events were still replaying in my head. Especially Scarlett's comments about Lizzie and I. Her saying all that was honestly the last thing I was expecting.

She almost sounded jealous.

I watched as she retrieved a joint from her pocket and lit it. Holding it to her lips she took a deep inhale.

"Want a hit?" She held it out to me.

"Sure," I smiled, taking the joint from her hands and putting it between my own lips, "I didn't know you smoked."

"I don't," She shrugged, "only on occasion, and after today, I think I deserve it."

"About today," I cleared my throat, handing the joint back to her, "I really am sorry."

"My brother almost drowned, Patrick," She looked intently at me, "Lizzie's side was not the right side to take."

She was right, but I saw a different side to Lizzie.

A troubled side.

"Yeah, you're right," I frowned, "I'm so sorry."

With her grey eyes locked on mine, I found myself getting lost in them.

They were so full of emotion, practically radiating sadness and strength.

I wanted so badly to know what was making the girl so upset.

She tipped her beer back, draining its contents before pausing and saying, "It was a lot easier to hate you when you weren't constantly looking at me like that."

"Like what?" I smirked.

"Like you're trying to figure me out," She shook her head with an eye roll.

"Because maybe I want to," I couldn't help but smile.

"Good luck with that, Feely," She chuckled, taking another hit of the joint.

She then put it out on the log and pulled her jumper over her head.

"Honestly, I could use a swim," She smirked, now pulling her shirt off, revealing a black lacy bra.

Trying not to make it obvious I was just staring at her chest, I flicked my eyes back up to hers.

"Right now?" I widened my eyes.

"When else?" She gave me an eye roll before sliding her sweatpants down her legs.

When my eyes met her matching black lace underwear, all the air was sucked out of my lungs.

"Are you coming?" She raised an eye brow, now stepping away from the campfire and closer to the river bank.

I swallowed hard before forcing out the words, "Yeah, why not."