Page 152 of Now and Forever

With a heavy heart, I watched him walk away, still troubled over why it had pissed him off that I’d decided to make a phone call.

“Cori?”

“The first woman to ditch me while I almost drank myself to a stupor. You ran away so fast I didn’t know what hit me,” he drawled, unmistakably drunk. “You know what’s fucked up? I can’t stop thinking about you now. How can you be so mean, Chloe?”

Well, damn. That was a rather long speech.

“I’m sorry. Something came up.”

“A man?”

“Yeah.” I owed him the truth after I had abandoned him tonight.

“You love him?”

He was so direct I found it unnerving, but I appreciated the approach, no bullshit or games.

“I unfortunately do.”

“He doesn’t love you. I can tell from your voice and the simple fact that no man in his right mind would let his woman out and about the city with other men.”

Sigh. The truth hurt like a bitch, and he had delivered it coldly.

“I told you I was single, Cori. It wasn’t a lie.”

“Good, because you owe me a date.” There was a smile in his tone, confident as ever.

“I do, don’t I?”

He didn’t mind that I was in love with another man. That was bold, and I liked that he was persistent in wanting to go out with me still.

“How does Monday sound?” Wade was supposed to take me out, but given my connection with Cori, I decided to drop Mason for Friday. Juggling men wasn’t my forte, and besides, I had a feeling that Cori and I would be great as friends. Whatever else, I left that open just in case.

“Monday sounds like two fucking days from now, but I’ll take whatever’s available. Promise me you won’t ditch me again?”

“I promise, Cori.”

“Good.” He laughed. “See you Monday, Red.”

“Red?”

“That red dress. Know that I’m going to be dreaming of ripping that off tonight.”

My mouth went dry. “Bye, Cori. Sleep well.” I cut off the call before he could manage to plant more images in my head.

Cori Oliver was brash, uncouth, and one of the sexiest sins I had ever come across. But underneath all of that crudeness, he was gentle in his own way. Monday would be interesting.

Left alone in the room, I strode into the bathroom to freshen up. I stared at my solemn reflection, wondering where that temporary empowerment that hummed in my veins had gone. It was as if the moment Drew’s lips had kissed mine, he had sucked all of that energy out and left me in this fragile and insecure state while he continued on with his guarded, silent treatment of me, barricading himself when he sensed something that could potentially hurt his pride and ego.

That barrier was automatic. You could literally feel it as he detached himself from his surroundings, protecting himself. It was insane how he had the capability to do that in a heartbeat, like he had spent most of his life doing so.

Giving a melancholy sigh, I carefully washed my hands just as my phone beeped with a text message from Cori.

Life is short, Red. Don’t waste your time with guys who won’t give you what you deserve. I’m not saying I’m anything better, but you’re a cool chick. Hearing your voice earlier made me realize that it only takes one asshole to fuck up a chick, and that leaves a whole shitty trail of more complicated shit for the rest of us guys who have somewhat good intentions. Like I said, I’m no better, but at least I won’t string you along. You know what you’re getting from me. Good girls like you need a bad guy with a whole lot of heart. I’m not afraid of a little competition. Think about it.

Cori thought I was a good girl?

His message was a true reflection of him, and it saddened me to think that a mere stranger saw more than I had showed him. He was right, though; I knew what I would get from him.

---