Who’s punishing who ?
It could be worse for me. You might not be as beautiful as you are. My eyes widen when he looks at me. And I see something I’m not sure is real or not. Loneliness. Something venerable inside him. Something that makes me want to reach out and hug him. Comfort him.
I’m…
I don’t know what to say. But I guess I’m not meant to when I hear a door slams shut in the distance.
Colton stiffens, his eyes bulging when a shrill voice shouts, Colton, baby. I’m home !
Shit, he swears under his breath, the expression on his face enough to reveal that, whoever just arrived, isn’t someone I was supposed to find out about. Pulling back his cuff, he looks at the watch on his wrist, anger flaring in his eyes. Meanwhile, all I can do is stand still, my body shivering from head to toe, listening to heels click against the floor in the distance. A noise that’s getting closer each second that passes.
Colton ? She calls again. Are you home ?
I narrow my eyes at him. Baby ?
He grimaces, which tells me enough. That he’s left gaping pieces of information about his life out. God, I’m an idiot. Of course, he isn’t single. Why the hell did I believe he was ?
I can explain, he says to me, and I scoff, even more outraged when he adds, But I can’t right now.
My stomach sinks with disappointment. The tapping sound of her heels are getting closer now. Reaching down, I grab my dress that fell on the floor. I don’t know what I’m going to do exactly, but I know I don’t want to see her or be part of this.
As I frantically look around for an escape, he grabs my heels from the floor and his phone from the bed. Then, his other arm goes around my waist and he pulls me across the room before I can protest.
Forcing me across the hallway, he pushes me toward another door. Once opened, he nudges me inside and closes the door quietly behind him. It’s dark and I can’t see, but once he switches a light on, a smaller version of his room comes into view. The guest bedroom, I assume. It’s neat and tidy with cream bed covers and a fluffy throw.
What the hell are you doing ?
Act natural, he says through clenched teeth, turning back to the door and calling out, I’m in here !
My mouth drops with shock and I hit his arm. What are you doing ? I don’t want to see her. Hide me !
He shakes his head, looking baffled. This isn’t the movies, I can’t hide you.
I can’t believe this is seriously happening right now. Is he about to let his girlfriend walk in with me standing here wearing his t-shirt ? Is he insane ?
His girlfriend, who he failed to tell me about, obviously has no idea that, before she walked through the door, I was making out with her boyfriend who was very much making out with me back. On his couch. Possibly their couch.
I blink.
What if she lives with him ?
Before I can run or scream at him, a woman opens the door and walks inside. A woman that would turn any man’s head. She’s tall and slender, with blonde curly hair cascading over designer clothes. She looks glamorous and stunning, her face pretty and perfect. And here I am, an idiot in Colton’s t-shirt, smudged makeup and wild hair.
My heart sinks as I glance at him. What a total bastard.
Hey babe, she greets him, running over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck, completely ignoring me.
But it’s in that moment something happens inside of me when she touches him. The sudden desire to rip her head off. It’s a violent thought and comes out of nowhere, scaring me a little. My blood roars in my ears and my heart thumps with hate for a stranger I have no right to hate.
She leans into him, pushing her breasts into his chest and placing a dramatic kiss on his cheek. It makes me want to throw up all over the expensive fluffy rug.
Colton’s facial expression doesn’t change as she let’s go of him, finally putting her attention on me. Her eyes slide down my body and something that looks like disgust flashes in her eyes as she scrutinizes my appearance. There it is. The bitch glare. I fight not to give her one back, trying to remember that this is Colton’s fault and how bad this must look to her.
Who’s this ? she asks him sweetly but knowing deep down she’s being anything but sweet.
This is Layla, he answers her. I can’t believe how calm he’s being when this is a awkward situation to be in. She was attacked at the club and lost her ride home.
She nods at his lie, which he convincingly told. How many more secrets is he hiding ? Or is he just a fantastic liar ?
Babe. She taps his chest lightly. She lowers her voice, but I can still hear her. You really need to stop giving out the charity cases.
My eyes widen with shock. She did not call me a charity case right in front of me. Anger flares inside of me and I want to smack her across the face. Colton clears his throat in warning. Jenny.
Rolling her eyes, she turns and gives me a fake smile. I’m sorry you were attacked.
I raise my eyebrow that she’s speaking to me like I’m someone who doesn’t understand basic English. But we’re then interrupted when her phone jingles in her pocket. Pulling it out, her face lights up before she answers it.
Hey Marie ! she greets. Yeah, I just got home now. I have so much to tell you.
As she continues to talk into the phone, I shoot a glare in Colton’s direction. Only, I’m momentarily stunned when he gives me a small, secret smile.
He truly is insane. How can he do that ? Smile like that ?
I’m mad at him. Mad because I can’t help wonder if he was trying to use me while his girlfriend was out of town-or meant to be out of town. But then, what about everything else that happened ?
Yes, I will be over as soon as I have some beauty sleep, I hear Jenny say with a yawn. I’m so jet lagged. After a million goodbyes, she hangs up and twirls back to face Colton. I’m going to bed. I must be out of the house by eight. I’m helping Marie set up the engagement party we’re having at the club.
Colton’s eyes darken. The club isn’t open tomorrow, and it’s not really appropriate-
Don’t be annoying. Did daddy not tell you that you need to keep the club open for events like this ? I sense him stiffen even more at the mention of her daddy. I don’t see what the big deal is. Anyway, are you coming to bed ? I’m sure your guest will be okay for the night.