Page 26 of The Widower
“You’re an idiot if you think the alcohol made me say that!” I practically shouted.
That’s when I realized the car had already stopped. When I looked out the window, we were in front of my house. We’d gotten there faster than I thought.
I didn’t know why, but Colin was looking at me in a way I’d never seen before…
COLIN ADAMS
I’d been watching Isabelle for a few seconds now.
She’s… strange.
I swear this woman is way too needy—one minute she hates me, the next she wants me to kiss her. I’ll never understand women.
“Please, stop…”
“What did I do?”
“You look at me like I’m nothing. I…” She got out of the car and headed for her house. When she put the key in the lock, my hand covered hers. “Wait.”
“What do you want now? Humiliating me wasn’t enough?”
Isabelle was on the verge of tears, and that’s when it hit me that the little game I’d been playing hadn’t landed the way I thought it would. I’m an emotionless animal, and I know it. If my life hadn’t gone to hell the way it did, maybe I could’ve been a decent man—but that’s not an option anymore.
“I’m sorry.”
Those words almost never left my mouth.Even when I was wrong—and I usually was—I didn’t apologize.
“Why are you such an idiot most of the time?I never did anything to you! All I’ve tried to do is help, and you treat me like crap?”
“You’re talking about the kiss?”
“Forget the damn kiss!” she snapped, stepping closer, her eyes practically sparking. “I just wanted to be treated like a normal person! Why is that so hard for the almighty Colin Adams?”
“Isabelle—”
“Shut up! I’m not finished! You think you’re some kind of god. You hide behind that bitterness, but deep down, everyone knows—you can’t even stand yourself. You’re an arrogant, self-centered brute!”
I couldn’t blame her for saying it. Isabelle was absolutely right.
I’m a bitter man—angry, short-tempered, and a dozen other toxic things. Her words didn’t offend me; they only reminded me that I was exactly what I chose to be.
“Good night, Isabelle. You should go inside.”
“No!” she shouted, making me turn back to her. “Since you brought up the kiss—look at me. Tell me, what’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing. It’s me who—”
“And now?”
She slipped off one of her heels, and I froze, confused about what she was planning.
“Isabelle, what are you doing? Stop that.”
“Sorry if you don’t feel any desire for me. I just want to show you what you’re missing! In fact, maybe I should—”
“Stop!” I barked, grabbing her before she could move again. I didn’t even know if I wanted to stop her… or if I wanted her more than I was willing to admit.“Enough, Isabelle. Go inside. Now.”
“No!”
