Page 31 of Could Have Been Us
“Coward,” I spit the word at him.
“No, I’m not afraid, I’m the opposite. I know better than anyone what it’s like to take a chance on more.”
I laugh once. “Sure you do. Tell me, do you want me right now?”
Jack’s eyes roam my body, the heat telling me that no matter what he says, the truth is there. “Any man would.”
As Winnie always says, a drunk man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts. The alcohol just allows the words to finally be free.
“I’m not asking any man. I’m asking you. Do you want me?”
“Like the fucking air I breathe.”
Well, I’m going to take full advantage of this then. “For how long?”
His eyes widen, and then he leans against the wall. The movement seems to change something in him. He’s no longer out of control. Instead, he’s steady, confident, as he presses the sole of one shoe to the wall behind him. “Go home, Stella. We’re done making mistakes for tonight.”
“That’s what I am? A mistake?”
One shoulder lifts and then falls. “Not you, but this? Us? It’s all we ever make.”
Chapter 9
Jack
Fucking hell the sunlight is loud.
I know that thought isn’t coherent, but there it is. Everything is loud from the way my body is moving against the sheets to the dull noise of a television in the background. Wait. Where the hell am I?
Slowly opening my eyes, I see the familiar view from Grayson’s guest room.
Great.
All I remember is watching Stella walk away last night, her back straight, the arrow I shot landing exactly as I needed it to. She was so hurt by the words I threw at her that I hated myself for them.
Then I went back to the bar and drank until I couldn’t remember the look she gave me after what I said.
I lie here, arm slung over my eyes, and try to think about how I got here. It’s clear someone called me a cab or gave me a ride. Was it Delia?
No. I don’t think I called her. At least, I hope I didn’t because that’s one more person I might have said some stupid shit to.
God only knows what I said to Gray.
The door flies open, and Amelia flies into the room, a huge smile on her face.
“Uncle Jack, are you awake yet?” she asks softly, but it still feels like she’s screaming.
“Nope.”
She laughs. “You just answered me.”
“I’m sleep talking.”
Amelia climbs onto the bed. “You stink!”
If the taste in my mouth is any indication, she would be correct.
“How about you give your uncle a second to clean himself up?” Grayson says from the doorway. “We can get all the answers we need after he doesn’t stink.”
