Amber

Chapter 19: He's Lying to Me

(Amber's POV)

Adrian Blackwood was lying to me.

I could see it.

In the way his jaw locked.

In the way his golden eyes flickered with hesitation.

In the way he was standing in my way—literally—blocking me from Damien.

Whatever this was?

It wasn't just some stupid rivalry.

There was history. Secrets. Something dangerous.

And I was done being left in the dark.

—

"You're not answering me," I said, folding my arms.

Adrian didn't move. "Because you're asking the wrong person."

I scowled. "Oh? Then maybe I should be asking Damien?"

His eyes darkened instantly. "No."

I scoffed. "So what, Adrian? I'm just supposed to ignore this?" I gestured between them. "Pretend I didn't just walk into the middle of… whatever the hell this is?"

His jaw tightened. "Yes."

I let out a sharp laugh. "You are unbelievable."

Damien chuckled behind him. "I like her."

Adrian shot him a glare. "Stay out of this, Damien."

"I would," Damien mused. "But you're making it too fun."

I turned to him. "Are you enjoying this?"

He smirked. "A little."

Adrian exhaled sharply. "Amber, just let it go."

I whirled on him. "No."

He blinked.

I stepped closer. "You don't get to keep secrets from me, Adrian. Not when I know for a fact that this has something to do with me."

He didn't deny it.

He just exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair.

I shook my head. "Right. That's what I thought."

I turned to leave.

If he wasn't going to talk to me?

Then I was done talking to him.

But the second I stepped past him—

"Amber."

My breath hitched.

Because his voice was lower now.

Not teasing. Not smug.

Serious.

I turned back slowly, and—

He was already closer.

His golden eyes burned into mine, his fingers twitching like he wanted to grab my wrist but was stopping himself.

His voice was softer this time.

"Please."

That one word—please—

It threw me off balance.

Because Adrian Blackwood never begged.

—

I swallowed. "Why can't you just tell me the truth?"

His lips parted slightly.

Like he wanted to say something.

But he didn't.

Instead, he sighed, stepping back.

And I knew.

He wasn't going to give me an answer.

Not yet.

I clenched my fists. "Fine. Don't tell me."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

I exhaled, shaking my head. "But don't expect me to keep pretending I don't notice something's wrong."

Silence.

Then—

"I wouldn't expect anything less, sweetheart."

His voice was calm again.

Like he had just won something.

I narrowed my eyes. "I hate you."

His lips curved slightly. "Liar."

I turned before he could see my face.

Before he could see the way my stomach was twisting.

Because I didn't know what pissed me off more—

The fact that he was hiding something from me.

Or the fact that—despite everything—

I still wanted to trust him.

—