Page 12 of Ready or Not

I leave the pad right next to the lamp on the bedside table and head out. Her roommate must still be asleep. I hate the idea of leaving the door unlocked, but I’ve also got no way to let myself back in if I lock it.

There’s a fast-food restaurant less than five minutes away.

The idea still gives me indigestion.

I pull the door to the apartment closed behind me and jolt when I catch sight of the guy. There’s a man a few inches shorter than me, leaning against the wall of the hallway.

My head tilts as I study him.

He’s smoking a cigarette, and he speaks before I get the chance. “The blonde or the brunette?”

“Excuse me?” I growl, even though my mind instantly goes to the fact that Vale is blonde and her roommate had brown hair escaping around the towel on her head when we saw her last night.

“If it was the blonde, you fucked my girlfriend.” He sighs, shaking his head as he blows out a huge cloud of smoke. “I should’ve known. She tried to pick a fight. When I wouldn’t bite, she ignored my calls the rest of the night. This isn’t the first time this has happened.”

My mind races as my fists clench.

I don’t know who the fuck this guy is, but if he and Vale were ever together…

Well, they aren’t anymore.

“Let me guess. You went into the club, tried to get a dance, and she told you she doesn’t do private shows but that you could buy her dinner. Vale has an MO.” He bends down, putting his cigarette out against the bottom of his shoe. “I can’t count on one hand the number of times she’s done this, but I’ve been in love with her for years.” He shrugs. “You’ll leave. I’ll pretend I have no idea she cheated on me again. Then this will happen all over again in a couple of months. It always gets worse right before her heat.”

“I don’t know what bullshit you’re trying to spin, but I’m not buying?—”

“You might want to check your wallet. They’ve got a scheme where the roommate sneaks in to clean you out while you’re asleep.” He shrugs. “Believe me or not. She got what she wanted from you. In a few hours, she’ll wake up and call me like nothing happened.”

I pat around to grab my wallet, but my phone buzzes.

I exhale in pure relief, thinking it’s Vale. She’s really the only one who can tell me if this asshole is out of his mind.

Only, it’s Ranger.

“Anyway, man to man, if you could not fuck my girl again, then I would appreciate it,” the guy says, taking off toward the stairs without a backward glance. “It’s really kind of slimy, considering her mental health issues.”

What the fuck does that mean?

My gut drops even further as I read through the messages.

Shit went down majorly last night, and Ranger needs me back at the office.

Now.

I’m still fucking flabbergasted.

She never mentioned a boyfriend or even a recent ex.

The roommate said she never brought guys around, but that guy just made it sound like it was some plot or setup they do.

I curse under my breath.

If I go in there, accusing her of something, then I’m going to look like the asshole.

Also, Ranger is already shitting a golden brick that I’ve been unreachable all night.

I open the door and lock the bottom lock.

I’d do the deadbolt, but that would require a key.

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