Page 1 of Hooking Up
Chapter One
Walker
"Thanks for letting me know." My stomach drops like a stone. This is inevitable. Obvious. But it feels like a surprise.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Williams."
"Don't worry about it." My fingers curl into a fist. I press my cell to my cheek. There's nothing else to say. Nothing that will change this. Still, I'm not going to shoot the messenger. "Thanks for your help." I end the call and slide my phone into my front pocket.
The cool air gets hot.
The sounds of the party flow into my ears. Laughter. Conversation. Booming bass.
Bullshit.
It's all bullshit.
This isn't fun.
It's toxic.
The loud music fails to fill my head.
To drown out the thought running through my mind.
Again?
She pulled this shit again.
I'm surprised again.
My heart is a lead weight again.
I'm not taking this anymore.
She's on her own.
She wants to destroy herself. Fine.
I'm done being collateral damage.
I take a deep breath and let out a heavy exhale. Peel my shoulders from my ears. Perfect my poker face.
I step through the open door. Back into Sandy's living room.
She's over the moon. Dancing with her boyfriend, amber beer bottle pressed to her bright pink lips.
We're here to celebrate their new place, them moving in together. I'm happy for them. Really.
Love is great for other people.
I'm not interested.
Don't get me wrong. I love women. I love diving between a woman's legs, throwing her on my bed, getting her screaming my name.
But that's where my relationships stop and end.
Sandy's eyes catch mine. She pulls the bottle from her lips. Mouthsyou okay?
