CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

Chelsea

Chelsea watched Arc vanish into the night, swallowed by darkness. A pang of guilt nudged him, urging him to call out an apology. But he stifled it. None of this was his fault.

Arc hadn't wanted to join him in the first place, so why was he acting betrayed? Who did Arc think he was, anyway? Dictating Chelsea's actions, treating him like property?

A shiver ran down Chelsea's spine. He shook off the unease and stepped back into the warm glow of the bar. He'd better get inside and finish his drink, maybe it would numb the emptiness spreading through him, or at least dull the sting of Arc's rejection.

His gaze locked onto the newcomer, Jeremy as he approached their table. Chelsea's eyes narrowed. He didn't like the spark of familiarity and longing in Arc's eyes when he'd seen him. The soft whisper of Jeremy's name had irked him.

"Hey, guys," Chelsea said, feigning enthusiasm. "Where were we?"

He slid beside Jax, whose chiseled features and charming smile s