Page 37 of One Good Crash
The image sliced through me. That was stupid, too. I mean, it's not like I was hisrealgirlfriend or anything.
"Or maybe," she continued, "he's onto hissecondgirl. He likes to do that, you know, one girl after another – sometimes, two at once."
I didn't believe her.
And yet, her words burrowed under my skin. I had to remind myself that it wasn't likeI'dplanned on having sex with him tonight or anything.
After all, we'd just met, and I wasn't one to pounce on somebody just because they were hot. And chivalrous. And thrilling beyond all reason.
Suddenly, I wanted to cry. Stupid or not, Ihadfelt like there was some sort of connection between us. And he'd been so wonderful, right up until the moment he'd left me stranded in a house full of strangers.
Aside from ditching me, what kind of guy takes off with someone's cell phone and wallet?
Thanks to this, I was totally screwed. And now, my eyes were stinging with tears that I refused to shed.
Damn it.I had to do it, the thing I'd been dreading. I looked to the redhead and said, "Can I borrow your phone?"
"Why?"
"To make a call."Obviously.
Her gaze narrowed. "To call whom?"
I was tired and stressed, and so ready for all of this to end. "I don’t think that's any of your business."
"It is if you're using my phone."
I made a sound of frustration. "Oh come on. Jax hasmyphone, so…" I gave a little shrug, as if no further explanation should be needed.
She made a forwarding motion with her hand. "So…?"
"So…"I sighed. "I can't call anyone without it."
She smirked. "Bummer for you."
Yes. It was.
Even worse, any second now, I just knew I was going to burst out crying.
Shit.
Why here? Why now?
Trying to get a grip, I clamped my lips shut and looked away.
The redhead said, "So, are you gonna answer my question or not?"
I didn't even look as I muttered, "What question?"
"Whoare you going to call?"
I looked back to her and snapped, "Well, it's not Jax if that's what you're worried about."
"I'm not worried." She gave me a slow, deliberate smile. "In fact, I'm enjoying myself immensely."
No kidding.I could see it in the curve of her lips and in the gleam of her eyes. Shewasenjoying this. And if I actually broke down and sobbed, she'd probably have an organism right here and now.
Whatever.I looked around, wondering who else I could ask. Probably, I should've asked one of the waiters while they'd been still circulating. If nothing else, the house surely had a landlinesomewhere, right?
