Page 12 of Creed

“Never compare me to that bastard.”

“You know what I meant. Besides, you should know better than anyone that people never change. They simply get better at hiding their true nature. My mother had no idea your father was an alcoholic before it was nearly too late.”

She’s got me there, but she’s wrong. We aren’t our parents. I’m nothing like my old man. The tension between us pulls tight, like a wire about to snap. I’ve changed.

“I’m not my old man. I’d never be reckless with your heart.”

She sputters, and nearly spits out her beer, getting choked. “Slow down and dial things back a notch.”

“Look, you’ve got no reason to trust me. I’ve always lived in the moment and that’s all I have ever offered in the past. I get that.”

“You don’t even know me. Sure, you knew the old me. The naïve girl with stars in her eyes who thought fairytales were real.”

“I’d give you the fairytale if you’d let me.”

“Just like that.” She snaps her fingers. “You think it would be that easy? After all this time, I’m supposed to fall into your arms and swoon. Life doesn’t work that way.”

“I know I hurt you, but you weren’t innocent in the shit that went down between us.”

“I never fucked your friends, Creed.”

Chapter Five

“You really think that. Don’t you? That I fucked that Becky bitch. Never touched her. Gave her a lift, and that was it. Didn’t even walk her to her door. Hand to God if she told you anything different, then she lied.”

I stare at Seth, wanting more than anything to believe him. He’s right. I assumed. I stopped talking to Becky after that night. I withdrew from everyone, and no one cared enough to reach out. Not even him. He did what he’s good at and disappeared.

“It’s getting late. I work in the morning.”

“I don’t want you to go, Lottie.” The way he says my name still influences me. The deep and throaty tone travels straight between my thighs.

Being here with him is dangerous. It’s easy to forget that he broke my heart not once, but twice. All I wanted was to be his and now here we are years later. Nothing stands between us. But I can’t allow myself to fall again. I can’t go through losing him again. The last time,coupled with the loss of my mother, nearly killed me. I worked hard to claw myself out of that hole.

“I never should have come.”

His brow crinkles. “Why did you?” The hurt in his voice isn’t lost on me.

“Old habit.” I shrug. “Curiosity.”

“Alright, beautiful,” he tells me, letting out a sigh that echoes with defeat. “Are you good to drive yourself?”

“Mhmm.” I nod, avoiding the heartbreak evident in his eyes. Part of me wants him to beg me to stay. I know he won’t. Creed isn’t the type to beg. He’s never had a problem letting me go or walking away. Tonight shouldn’t be any different.

My hands tremble as I push up from my chair. I glance back at him one last time as he knocks back the rest of his beer. I offer him a faint smile and step into the chilly night air, sucking in a deep shuddering breath, begging myself not to cry.

I didn’t think seeing him again would be this hard.

Not after all this time.

That’s a lie.

I knew it would be, but I thought I’d at least be over the loss of him.

Now that I’ve breathed him in once more, the sting is just as bitter and harsh as it ever was.

The door slams shut behind me, muffling the music as I hurry toward my car, leaving Tonya here with Ghoul. Theywent off somewhere as soon as we arrived. I’ll return her dress next time I see her at work.

I’ve gotta get out of here before I do something I’ll regret.

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