Page 23 of Never You

The fucker deserved it, let’s be honest.

“But?”

I take a deep breath, trying to tone down the annoyance he stirs alive every time I talk about Sean before I speak, but I already know I’ll fail. I want to let it be done, but I can’t help but still want to kick his ass.

“But the son of a bitch just won’t stop.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t like to be toldno, does he?′

“That’s an understatement, but then again—none of these arrogant jocks ever do” I mutter, wondering if I should tell Bodi more.

He stays silent, only hearing chewing gummy bears, waiting for me to tell him more.

“I think that is the problem. I didn’t think we would marry, have kids, and live happily ever after. I wasn’t planning a future with him. So, when I found out he was cheating on me, I was hurt and embarrassed, but mostly relieved. We should have fought about it, then he should have moved on to the next groupie he could find.Thatwas supposed to happen.”

I stab my finger in the air, trying to make a point.

“But?′ he repeats.

“But,” I continue, drawing out the word, “now he’s trying to mess with my head, telling me how he never felt more for a girl than he does for me. How he wants to have a future with me. How sorry he is. Blah blah blah.”

“Do you believe him?”

“Fuck no.” I glance dubiously at him before moving my eyes in front of me.

I know the only reason Sean is still interested is because I’m not. He likes the chase, which became clear after the long list of girls he screwed around with.

“Do youwantto believe him?” The tone in his voice is sincere, creating a sense of trust inside of me, and I relax into my seat.

“Hell no. My ego just can’t stand how he keeps talking to me like I’m this naïve little girl that he can sweet talk back into his bed,” I grunt.

I don’t like to be played.

“And here I thought only men had ego issues.” He laughs while reaching into the bag of gummy bears again to find the flavor he wants.

“Oh no, sometimes I wonder if I should buy my ego a house. It’s pretty big.” I shrug shamelessly. “But not as big as those hockey motherfuckers.” I point my thumb at Jensen beside me. “They need skyscrapers to fit their ego in.”

“Yeah, or a shopping mall.”

We both laugh, and I like how comfortable I feel around him.

“How did you guys meet?′ I ask curiously, catching his eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Boarding school. We were twelve when we went to the Shepard’s Boys Facility in Vermont.′

“Really? You went to boarding school?” I cock my eyebrow at him.

I figured Jensen went to boarding school, coming from a politician family and all, but I never would have guessed Bodi went to boarding school as well.

“Oh yeah. A very rich father and an alcoholic mother is the sum for a kid shipped off to boarding school.” He shrugs.

“They don’t have boarding schools in Australia?”

“My uncle lives on the East Coast. With my mother going in and out of rehab, my father was never sure if I could gohome during the holidays. Staying with my uncle was the better option.”

For a second, I see pain in his eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

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