Page 97 of Devil's Bargain

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“Is that why you called? To apologize?” My eyes sting with unbidden tears. I don’t know why, but it hurts that he regrets it.

“What are you doing now?”

I prop my elbow on the open window. “I’m driving.”

“I don’t regret it.”

I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.

“Look. I didn’t ring to apologize for the sexting. I don’t regret it. But it was a dick move to text you while I was getting a blow job.”

I grind my teeth as images of Madeleine’s lips wrapped around his dick flash through my mind. Stupid fucking brain! “Don’t worry about it.”

“Where are you going now?”

I know I shouldn’t do it, but the hurt inside me strikes like a provoked snake. “I’m meeting up with the guy.”

Guys

He’s quiet for a long moment. “The one who hits you?”

I laugh, but it’s forced. “How many guys do you think I fuck?”

I cringe. What’s wrong with me? It’s not like me to be a catty bitch. “Did you have a good time last night?” I ask.

Why can’t I leave it alone?

He hums under his breath. “Jamie threw a party. It was a good time.”

I bet!

I slow down at a stoplight.

“Come hang out with me today. We can drive to that lake again.”

I side-eye my phone on the passenger seat. My heart squeezes with a sense of longing I haven’t felt before. It sets off alarm bells all over the place. “I have plans.”

“With the guy who hits you?”

I shrug even though he can’t see. “I’m horny.”

What the actual fuck?! Where did that come from?

The light turns green.

“I can help you out.”

I laugh, and the sound reminds me of chiming church bells, but we’re at a funeral instead of a wedding. “After you fucked Madeleine last night? I think I’ll pass.” And the snake strikes again.

I move through the gears.

“I’m sorry!”

“You apologize a lot.”

“Because I feel like a dick!”

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