Page 46 of Dash

“Maybe she didn’t mean it?”

I look over at Blake standing beside me. I yank the note out of his hand, wad it up, and turn to toss it in the trash. “She meant it.”

“It was kinda vague,” he offers. “I mean, that could have meant anything.”

“Anything?” I turn to face him. Once again, I had woken up by myself after a night with her. At least this time she left me a fucking note. A note stating she left me. “I think it was pretty clear.”

He sighs. “I just think that she needs some time. Things were moving pretty fast with you guys.”

“How was that fast?” I mean, we might have feelings for one another, but we haven’t even voiced them out loud.

“I’m just trying to help you.”

“Then shut the fuck up,” I bark.

He reaches for the tequila bottle and pours me another shot. I down it before he can even put the bottle back on the counter. I spin around and walk toward my bedroom as I pull my phone out of my back pocket. Dialing her number, I slam my door shut.

“Tabatha. Call me back as soon as you get this.” I pull the phone away from my ear and press end after leaving a message. Of course, it went straight to voicemail. Tabatha has turned off her phone. I’m not surprised. I should have never gone along with this damn party. Even Blake hasn’t heard from Jackie. The girls are probably hiding out somewhere, or for all I know, they are out getting drunk themselves. I wonder if she’s as drunk as I am. I’m feeling pretty damn bulletproof.

“What?” I snap when I hear a knock on my door. I don’t want to listen to any more of Blake’s bullshit excuses.

It opens slowly, and I give a satisfied smirk when Valerie peeks her head in. The party has been in full swing for two hours now, but I never doubted for a second that she would show. I knew that she would make an appearance, making sure to show off her only assets.

And she didn’t let me down, either. She’s wearing a white shirt that is so small it should be on a child. It has a deep V cut that shows off her big fake tits. Her skinny jeans look like they took some work getting into and her red heels top it off with some color. Black eyeliner lines her eyes a little thicker than usual. She looks like a cheap hooker that wouldn’t cost me more than fifty dollars. It’s sickening, and yet, I still find her somewhat attractive. Or at least my cock does.

“Blake said that you were in here,” she declares, still standing outside of my room.

“Come in,” I say nicely, and she frowns. I lick my lips, and I barely feel it. The tequila is doing its job. I didn’t start drinking for courage to ask Valerie about the bike. I started drinking because of what Tabatha chose to do to us. And I hate to admit how fucking pissed I am at her for that. After everything I’ve said to her, she still doubted me. That stings.

She closes the door behind her, and I make my way over to her. “Having a party and didn’t invite me?” she asks with a lifted dark brow.

I’m not in the mood for games. I place my hand on her chin and slam her backward into the door. She sucks in a deep breath. My next thought is that she’s probably getting wet. She always liked rough sex. That’s why it was so fun to fuck her. She would let me use her however I wanted. And usually that was like trash. If she only knew that I wasn’t role-playing.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” I say leaning my head down to hers. “You fucked with my bike.”

Her eyes widen, and she goes to push me away. I tighten my hand on her chin and her knees buckle. She closes her eyes tightly, and she sucks in a breath.

“I already know that you did it,” I growl. “But why? Why would you do it?”

She tries to shake her head, but my grasp on her chin prevents it. “Why?” I scream in her face. The tequila coursing through my veins and the hatred that I feel for her makes me want to hurt her. While it also makes me want to rip that tiny little shirt off and fuck her.

I release her face and take a step back from her. I will do neither of those things. But God, it would feel so good.

“I’m so sorry,” she cries. She allows her buckled knees to take her to the floor. She holds her head in her hands and she cries louder.

“Why would you do that?” I demand once again.

She cries loudly for a few seconds, and I roll my shoulders. Calm down, Dash. I need answers. I know how dramatic she can get. I’ll get nowhere if we continue this way.

I take a deep breath and run a hand over my face. God, I could use another shot. Her soft sobs get my attention. Leaning down in front of her, I place my hands in her hair and gently lift her head to look up at me. “Tell me, baby,” I coo. “Were you just jealous?” I ask smoothing the hair from her tear-streaked face.

She nods and my jaw tightens. I relax it just as quickly, not wanting to show her the madness that I feel. I have to play her. “What were you jealous of?” I ask trying to sound like I truly fucking care.

“Her,” she whispers. “Mr. Knight’s daughter. I know you like her.”

“I don’t like her.” I love her!

She swallows thickly and licks her plump red lips. Even they look bigger than they used to. “I’m so sorry, Dash. I just wanted to get your attention. I never thought you would get hurt.” She hangs her head.

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