Faded (Without You) by C.A Mariah

Author:C.A Mariah [Mariah, C.A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-06T18:30:00+00:00

“Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody… with somebody who loves me.”

“Ash?”

Surprised, I jerk in response, knocking my head on the hood of the car. “Ah! Fuck! What?” I ask, rubbing out the throbbing knot in my skull.

Roman stands behind me, his arms full of white plastic takeout bags. The scent of grease and salt coming off the food is almost as strong as the booze reeking from his pores. “Woah. You smell like shit.”

Instead of responding, he shifts his weight on his heels, the muscles tightening in his forearms while something crinkles the edges of his eyes.

Confusion?

Concern?

Why does he look so pissed all the time? “You know you should smile more. Be happy. All this frowning isn’t a good look on you—”

“Ash?”

“Not only is it gonna wrinkle that sexy face, but you look constipated. Are you constipated? You gotta shit? You should—”

“Ash!”

“What?” I stop, making a face as his tightens further.

“What are you doing?” Isn’t it obvious by all the grease and gunk staining my face and clothes? “I’m working on Sage’s truck.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I can see that, but uh,” Roman pauses, the food transferring to one arm so he can scratch the black waves away from his face, “why the fuck are you doing it now?”

“What better time is there to do it?” I ask, wondering why the fuck he’s being so weird and questioning what the fuck I’m doing.

That pinched look he wears so well suddenly becomes clear, and I finally have my answer.

It’s concern.

“I don’t know. Maybe not at four in the morning? People are still sleeping, and you’re making a shit ton of noise with all the banging and singing at the top of your lungs.”

Shit. Was I singing out loud? “You think they got a problem with Whitney? She’s the fucking shit.”

Mute, Roman continues to stare, that look deepening until it settles all over his body. Then, like a weight dropped on him, I watch as he slumps slightly. “You okay, bro?”

Throat locking, I pinch my lips and force a smile. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Before either of us can say another word, the door behind him opens, and out walks Amira with a smile that falls as quickly as it came.

“Hey… is everything alright?” That airy softness of her tone wraps around Roman’s shoulders like a blanket. I could be fucking blind and still see the tension leaving his frame the second she comes close. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that with Yasi. She was always too wound up for either of us to relax.

“Yeah, angel.” Roman smiles, dropping the food on the ground to bring her into his arms. “Everything is fine… we were just talking.” He glares back at me then, his stare returning to its naturally hardened state.

Amira isn’t dumb. She can sense whatever tension is bleeding out of Roman, but she’s too quiet to ask. At least with me around.

With a kiss on her temple, he sends her inside, promising to be there in a minute.

“Goodnight, Ash… or good

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