Page 46 of Never Date A Player
“Sorry.” She flips down the toilet lid and sits on top. “I have to talk to you.” She huffs out a strained breath. “Lewis works at Sallee Construction. He’s the owner’s son.”
Did I forget to mention that?
Her eyes narrow. “You don’t actually care for this guy…?”
Cali doesn’t want me mixed up with Lewis because she thinks things are dodgy with him and Mira. She’s not totally off-base, but I’d like to deal with it on my own. “Leave it alone, Cali.”
“Gen—”
I storm out, because I so don’t need this right now. My ass and every muscle I never knew I had hurt. My emotional state isn’t much better off.
Cali follows, close at my heels. “I was stupid at the start of the summer. I didn’t understand what you were going through, because I’d never been in love. You were more involved with the A-hole than I ever was with Eric. I get that now.”
She’s so wrong. In comparison to the emotions Lewis stirs, I felt nothing for the A-hole. Lewis makes me feel everything.
Cali cradles one arm by the couch, rubbing the tip of her nail across her bottom teeth in a rare nervous gesture. “And I don’t want to tell you what to do, because when it comes to this, I’m not as experienced as I thought, but I’m scared for you.”
I glance at her quizzically, then search my purse on the couch, forgetting a second later what I’m looking for. I shake my head. “Cali, there’s nothing to fear?—”
“I’m worried that I pushed you to date guys before you were ready and now you’re running headfirst into the same situation you escaped.”
“You’re giving yourself too much credit. I do actually select when and who I want to date, and I told you, the situation with Lewis is not the same as my past relationship. Besides, I’m not in a relationship.” A kiss does not a relationship make.
I walk inside the bedroom and pull out clothes. Cali watches from the doorway. “Look, I can’t help who I’m attracted to,” I say. “That’s nature, but I’m not planning on repeating the past if that’s what you’re worried about. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be your fault.”
“Okay. But Mira visited Lewis at work today.” Her words send an ache through my chest. Is that why he didn’t stay this afternoon? “If you’re spending time with him, just—be careful.”
Lewis and Mira aren’t together, but I don’t understand what they are, not really.
“I will.” But that’s a lie. I want to be more than friends with Lewis, and that isn’t the safe choice.
Chapter Sixteen
I can’t believe Maryanne gave you her pit. She shouldn’t have done that, you know.” Amber’s giant hoop earrings wave like a finger with her words.
My body hurts and I’m confused as hell about Lewis, our kiss, and what it all means. The last thing I need is Amber nagging me.
I slam my tray on the counter, startling the bartender. “Well, she did. Get over it.”
Amber looks at me askance like she’s seeing a stranger. The insanity that turned off my filters at the cascades hasn’t abated. It’s contaminating my every conversation.
Drake walks up the steps to the lounge, his gaze flickering between Amber and me. Amber ducks away and I’m left standing there, trapped in the icy depths of his gray eyes.
I hate that my instinct is to lock up around men who have hurt me. It’s what I did when the A-hole showed up, and it’s what I’m doing all over again with Drake.
Anger burns my chest, stealing my breath. I grab my tray, arms stiff, and return to my customers, tracking Drake as I do.
He doesn’t approach me. He chats up a group at the front of the lounge, then saunters to the floor, exchanging a few words with one of the pit bosses. The tension in my limbs eases somewhat, though not entirely. He may have come to talk to customers, but the confidence he exudes speaks volumes. The way Amber scurried off, the way I went still like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car—Drake is in control here.
He walks past the lounge, almost out of sight, when I catch him hooking his arm around a waitress on her way to the floor. He tugs her into the elevator alcove and they disappear from view.
I count to twenty, then fifty. The girl doesn’t return.
My feet move before my head wraps around the notion that I’m going after Drake and the pretty, young waitress I’ve never seen before. I round the corner and Drake has the woman plastered to a wall. He’s gripping her arm and leaning down, talking into her ear. She smiles a tight smile and tries to inch around him. He steps to the side, blocking her.
“Mr. Peterson.” My voice comes out strong, determined.
I feel the opposite. I’m wondering what the hell I’m doing. The temper I’ve kept bottled is coming out everywhere, and in full force.
