Page 90 of Playing for Keeps
A part of me wants to answer, to hear something that might tell me I’ve misunderstood. But I haven’t. It couldn’t have been clearer unless I’d caught them in bed. And the worst part? I have no right to feel this way. He hasn’t done anything wrong. We were never together. I just built it up in my head, turned something fleeting into something it never was. That’s on me.
A new notification chimes, and I brace myself, only to exhale in relief when I see it’s from Ash.
Ash:Are you there yet? Is he okay?
I let out a humorless laugh, tears still streaking down my face as my fingers fly across the screen.
Me:He’s fine. Occupied with a gorgeous blonde.
The message turns to read, and just seconds later, my phone starts ringing again. This time, it’s Ash. With a sigh, I answer and bring the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Ash,” I say quietly.
“What do you mean, ‘occupied with a gorgeous blonde’? What blonde?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t stay long enough to ask.”
“You saw Wyatt?”
“No,” I say, my voice shaking. “I knocked, but no one answered, so I used the spare key. Just as I was heading to his room, a woman came out wearing nothing but one of his shirts.” My voice cracks. “She was stunning, Ash. I feel so stupid.”
“Hey, don’t say that. You’re not stupid. I’m going to kill him.”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see it. “No, he didn’t do anything wrong. We’re not together. I just let myself believe he might like me. I should have known better. Deep down, I think I did.” I pause, my voice barely more than a whisper. “She’s everything I’m not, Ash. Everything I’ll never be.”
“You don’t have to be anyone butyou, Ivy James,” she says fiercely. “You’re beautiful. You’re amazing. And if he can’t see that,he’sthe idiot.”
“Thank you.” But the truth still sits heavy in my chest. He doesn’t want me. He never did. Every fear I had about getting close to him just came true, and it hurts more than I ever expected.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Wyatt
“Wyatt…Wyatt, wake up.”
Someone’s shaking my shoulder, and I blink my eyes open to find Ronnie sitting on the edge of the bed. My head is still pounding, and I feel like I’m burning from the inside out, even though I’m shivering.
“What are you still doing here, Ronnie?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
She passes me a bottle of water from the nightstand, and I sit up, swallowing a welcome mouthful.
“I think Ivy was here.”
“What?” I blink at her, trying to make sense of the words. “Where is she?”
“She left. She saw me dressed like this and just…ran.”
My eyes drop to her bare legs, my dress shirt oversized on her. “Fuck!” I drag my hand through my hair. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?” I snap.
“I got caught up watching a movie. I’m sorry,” she says, looking genuinely upset.
I sigh and reach for her hand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I just… I really like this woman, Ronnie. And I can only imagine what she’s thinking after seeing you like that.”
She closes her eyes. “She may have also seen me coming from the direction of your bedroom. I’d just used the bathroom in the guest room.”
I groan, dragging both hands down my face. “Could this get any worse?”
I grab my phone and see a message from Ivy, sent hours ago.
