Page 72 of Stick Handled

I force myself to nod, backing away from the window. The second I’m out of sight, I turn and bolt up the stairs, taking them two at a time. My vision blurs, hot tears spilling over as I reach my room and slam the door shut.

My chest heaves as I press my back against the door.

My chest tightens with a pain I haven’t felt before. It’s like everything inside me is breaking at once.

How could he do this?

How couldIbe so stupid?

Last night, I thought I’d found something real. I thought I’d foundhim. The Damien who held me, whispered that he’s in love with me, and made me feel like I was the only person in the world who mattered.

But that Damien doesn’t exist. Damien Colton will always be what everyone says he is. God, how could I even think that someone like him could ever be genuine? That one of the best NHL players, with women throwing themselves at him left and right, would actually want to be with me.

This is who he really is—the guy who lets girls show up at his house and throw themselves at him. I would know, because I did the exact same thing last night.I wasthat girl.

Will he feed her the same lines, too? Will he carry her to bed like he did with me?

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the image of them together, but it’s no use.

I thought I was enough. But I’m not. I can’t believe I ever thought I could be.

I bury my face in my hands, letting the sobs take over.

For the first time since this whole thing started, I wish I’d never met him.

Chapter twenty-four

~DAMIEN~

Lexi stands there, topless, her expression halfway between a smirk and excitement. It’s the kind of look that might’ve amused me once, back when I didn’t give a shit about consequences. Now, it just pisses me off.

I look down at her tank top in my hand and toss it at her chest.

“Put that fucking thing on.” My voice is sharp, every word clipped, the edge in my tone hard enough to cut through stone.

Her smile falters, and she catches the tank top mid-air. “Wow, you wanna play rough tonight, big boy? I like that.”

“I’m not in the fucking mood for this.” I straighten, looming over her, my fists clenched. “I’m going to ask you again. How did you find my house? Who let you through the gates?”

Lexi’s grin slides back into place, sly and teasing like she thinks this is a joke. “Oh, Iloveit when we roleplay—”

“Lexi,” I cut her off, stepping back like I need the space to keep from completely losing it. “How. Did. You. Find. My. Fucking. House?”

Her smile wavers again, the confusion starting to creep in. “What do you mean?You guystold me to come here.”

My entire body tenses, the words settling like ice in my chest. I narrow my eyes. “Who’syou guys?”

Lexi tosses the tank top over her shoulder instead of putting it on, cocking her head like she can’t believe I’m asking.

“You and Rowan, dummy. He said both of you would be here for a little fun with me. You know, like the old days.”

The old days.Fuck the old days.My jaw tightens, anger simmering just beneath the surface.

“Rowantold you to come here?”

“Damn right, he did.” She grins again, this time with a hint of triumph. “Apparently, he kept my number. He texted me and said it was going to be a night to remember..”

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer. I can feel my pulse pounding in my ears. Rowantexted her.

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