Page 81 of Third Chances (Men of Manhattan 2)

I pushed a branch out of the way and cursed under my breath. It was like a thousand degrees outside, even with the rain. When I had started out, it hadn't even been drizzling. I had made a few wrong turns, though, and the hike was taking longer than I thought it would. By the time I reached the waterfall, I was completely soaked, even though the canopy of leaves had been blocking most of the rain.

I stepped into the clearing and looked up at the sky. Most people probably would have spread their arms and welcomed the rain on their skin. But I was keenly aware of the fact that I was all alone. Just like always. The rain falling down on me made me feel so small. I didn't want to be alone anymore. Why did I always push everyone away? I hugged myself and closed my eyes. There was no reason to ask myself that question. I knew why. I just didn't want to think about it.

There was no reason to be upset about what happened with Rob. It was one day of my life. I rarely ever said yes to dates. My friends had pushed me. That was all it was. Whatever I had felt, I had just gotten swept up in the excitement of it all. Sure, Rob was nice. But clearly he wasn't the guy for me. There were so many red flags. Him losing his temper last night would have been the last straw anyway. I had just been trying to help. Besides, he lived in Delaware. I lived in New York. The whole thing was stupid. I wasn't going to think about him anymore. I wasn't even sure why I was thinking about him now.

I opened my eyes and watched the ripples in the water from the rain. Last night I had roamed around the hotel until my friends had gotten back and fallen asleep. I wasn't going to risk them putting their bracelets on me again. And I had woken up at the crack of dawn to go on this hike by myself. I loved my friends, but I was in serious need of some alone time. I wrapped my arms even tighter around myself.

It had been a bad idea to come on this trip. Alina would have understood if I had backed out. They all would have understood. And I was pissed at Kristen for not running this bachelorette party idea by me. She knew about Derek. She knew and she didn't care how much this was going to hurt me.

I sat down on one of the rocks by the edge of the water. I wasn't sure why I wanted to come here again. It's not like I was crazy enough to go swimming by myself in crocodile infested waters. I hugged my knees to my chest. But Derek would have loved it here. I would give anything for him to be next to me right now. I was vaguely aware of the fact that I was crying. It felt refreshing for the rain to instantly wash away the salty tears from my face, as if there were no consequences for being upset out here.

It had been a year and a half. Why did it still hurt so much? When would it stop feeling like this?

"You've got to be kidding me."

I opened my eyes and saw Rob standing on a rock in front of the small waterfall. Completely soaked. And completely naked. My eyes seemed locked on his perfect body. It didn't look like he had an ounce of fat on him. The water glistened on his flawless skin. He looked like a Greek god. He wasn't even erect and he was huge. Why am I looking at his penis? Stop looking at his penis! I forced my eyes to meet his. He had a scowl on his face.

"I'm sorry." I quickly stood up. "I'll go."

"Don't bother. I'm leaving anyway." He walked over to a backpack on the ground. He grabbed a pair of athletic shorts, hastily pulling them on, hiding his perfect ass from view.

Stop staring at him. But I couldn't seem to stop.

He crouched down, picked up a bottle of shampoo, and shoved it into his backpack.

"Were you showering under the waterfall?" Who does that?

He stopped what he was doing and stared at me. "I don't see why that's any of your business, Daphne." His voice oozed with venom.

I had never heard someone say my name like that. How could he hate me so much for trying to help? "Rob, the tour guide said there were crocodiles in there. It's dangerous. You shouldn't..."

"I don't give a shit about what you think. I thought I made that clear last night." He stood up, pulling his backpack over one shoulder.

"B

ut the crocodiles..."

"The only thing dangerous here is you." He gestured to a small bruise on his chiseled abs.

"Did I do that?" I thought about the other day when I had thought he was a crocodile. I had kicked and squirmed and tried to fight him off.

He didn't answer me. He just started walking back toward the trail. He really was the most infuriating person I had ever met.

"So you like putting yourself in danger? Rob, your brother needs you. You can't..."

"Don't fucking tell me what my brother needs." He turned around and glared at me. "All my brother needs is for people like you to stop judging him for his past. He has a hard enough time letting things go without you trying to bring him down."

"Okay." I felt even smaller than I did a minute ago.

"You didn't even give me a chance to explain anything last night, you know? So I'm not giving you a chance to explain your opinions right now. And you know what? You don't even deserve to hear what I have to say. You don't deserve to get to know my brother. You don't deserve to get to know me."

I nodded my head and looked away from him.

"Jesus Christ. Don't cry about it."

"I'm not crying because of you." Maybe I was a little. I was a little surprised that he could even see past the hatred in his eyes to notice that I was hurting. I wasn't just hurting. It felt like I was drowning.

"Daphne..."

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