Page 60 of The One I Love
“I hope you have the best orgasm of your life tonight,” she whispers to me. “And don’t worry, your secret is safe with us. We’ll make sure the guys are nice and distracted for Shane’s escape.”
I might love this woman more than Oliver does. “Thank you.”
I wave to everyone else as I leave the bar, making sure to give Emily and her crew the side eye as I walk out. They each give me a scathing look. I could return one of my own, but I instead try to kill them with kindness. I dramatically wave and even mouth a “goodbye” to them as I walk out of the bar.
“You know he’s never going to be with you.”
I know I shouldn’t engage. I should keep walking. She wants me to respond.
In high school I never did. I took the mean shit they said about me and pretended I didn’t hear it. That only made them chirp at me worse. But back then I didn’t because I thought they were right. I thought I was an ugly duckling. That I had no business being friends with Shane, Wes, Oliver, and Simon, let alone date someone like Paul.
But now I know that’s not the case. I might not be a beautyqueen like Whitley or Betsy, or a powerful businesswoman like Izzy, but I know my worth.
And I know the man she wants is coming home with me tonight. Not her.
“That’s funny, Emily,” I say, slowly turning to their table. “Because I’m on my way out the door. And in about twenty minutes, you’re going to watch Shane leave too. You can use your imagination about where he’s going, but I’ll give you a hint—it’s not your place. Have a great night.”
I turn on my heel and “accidentally” bump into their table, causing their drinks to spill on their laps.
Oops. My bad.
I don’t say I’m sorry or even acknowledge their shock as I walk out of the bar with my head held high.
Fuck, that felt good…
I don’t even care if that’s how our secret gets out. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
For years those three made my life hell. I don’t know how they did it, but they always made me feel inferior. Even in adulthood. I just always felt like somehow they were better than me.
But no more of that. Not anymore. That Amelia is gone. Tonight proved that they have nothing over me.
I have friends. I have family. I have a man who has eyes for only me. And starting tonight, I’m taking what I want and not letting anyone bully me into thinking it’s anything less than what I deserve.
I turn on the car but grab my phone first, firing a quick text to Shane.
Amelia: Don’t wait too long. I’ll be the woman naked in your bed.
I toss it on the passenger seat as I pull out of The Joint. Idon’t know what switch in me flipped, but as I make my way down the back roads to Shane’s house, I feel like a different person.
I feel stronger.
I feel confident.
I’m taking what I want.
And tonight, I want Shane.
Chapter 18
Shane
Speed limits?Those don’t exist right now.
I’ve never driven so fast in my life. I’ve run three stop signs, blew a red light, and might have run over a squirrel before I nearly flipped my truck pulling into my driveway. Just the thought of Amelia in my bed—naked, no less—was worth every speeding ticket I should write myself.
The second I put the car in park the gravity of the night comes down on me. Tonight’s the night. Amelia didn’t say it word for word, but I saw the look in her eye. It’s one you don’t mistake. She was determined. Sexy. Brazen. She was a version of Amelia I want to see all the time.
And she said I was hers.
