Page 97 of West Bound

“Don’t leave. Please. I don’t know who that woman is.” Phoenix skids to a stop, his chest heaving like he ran down twenty flights of stairs. “I did not invite her here. I’ve never seen her before in my life. I swear it.”

“It must be hard to keep your collection in order. You know, hoes in different area codes and all that. Plus, She seems to think you’re her boyfriend, Arizona.”

His shoulders slump and the look on his face falters.

“Yeah. She knew exactly what name to tell the front desk. Maybe you don’t remember her but she clearly remembers you and that you’d be here. I need to go.” I spin on my heels, looking around at everyone who has stopped whatever they were doing, the conversations they were having, to watch the soap opera unfolding before them.

“You have to believe me. I have no idea who she is,” he pleaded.

“It’s obvious you were surprised, but I don’t believe—not for one minute—that you don’t know her.” I take a deep, shuddering breath and remind myself of who I am. “I refuse to be just another face in your collection. I was an idiot to think I was different, for falling for you. I can’t sit around and wait for you to destroy me again.”

“You’re not just another face. Dammit, Vivian. Don’t you see that you’re the only woman I want? No one else even exists when you’re around. You’re all I see. How can you not see it? Please…can we go back up to our room and talk about this in private?”

He reaches out to take my hand and I pull away like fire has scorched my skin.

“Everything okay?” Tuck walks up at that very moment with a few other guys trailing behind.

“We’re fine,” Phoenix growls while I say, “No. I was just leaving.”

“Vivian. Please.” Phoenix’s voice is firm and steady, but his eyes waver with so much emotion.

But I can’t do it. I can’t stay here and wait for him to hurt me, because I know he will. He’s done it once before, and if that supposed “unknown woman” is any indication of his life, it’s only a matter of time.

“Now boarding flight 2917, nonstop to Houston at gate C6.” The announcement sounds through the terminal and I grab my bag and wheel it behind me as I walk toward the gate.

On the drive to the airport, I texted Harv and let him know that I was extremely sick–like both ends sick–and I needed to come home. He was very understanding considering I’ve never pulled “I’m too sick to work” before, and figured I must really be unwell if I was calling in to the job I love so much.

Once I’m in my seat, I pop in my earbuds, select a playlist, and close my eyes until I hear the captain welcoming us to Houston.

I ward off all thoughts or feelings of tears until I’m in the back seat of the Uber when I decide I need my girls.

“Hi, Vivi. You and CeCe in Oklahoma?” Cami asks cheerily when she answers the phone.

“Cam,” I choke out. “I-I need you. It hurts, Cami,” I cry, my chest heaving with pain.

“Where are you?” The urgency in her voice is perilous.

“I-I’m almost home.”

“On my way, babes. I’ll be there as soon as I can, ok.” I nod, words failing me. “Crawl into bed and I’ll use my key. I love you, Viv.”

“I l-ove you, too, Cam. Th-thank you.” I hang up, feeling like I can’t breathe.

When the Uber drops me at home, I do exactly as Cami said and crawl into bed after stripping off my clothes and putting on one of Phoenix’s t-shirts.

If this is the last time I’ll have him in my bed, I want to be covered in him.

“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry,” Cami says.

We’re in my bed, my head in her lap, and she’s running her fingers through my strands. The second she got here, she kicked off her shoes and pulled me into her lap where I laid crying, telling her what happened just a few hours ago.

“Do you think maybe you should hear him out? I mean, look at me and Vaughan. You don’t want to spend twelve years apart from your soulmate because you were too stubborn to just listen. I’m pretty sure a spunky redhead told me that.”

I use the back of my hand to wipe away more tears that just won’t stop falling.

“I don’t truly believe that he knew this woman was showing up to his room. I could see it in his face. It was the look of a shocked man, not a guilty one. But,” I push myself up and turn to face her. “Cam, how can I truly trust him? The guy was a player. You heard him just like I did on the other side of that door. I have no doubt he’s been hooking up with women in every city he’s ever visited for the last ten years. I can’t possibly think that this was a one off and won’t happen again. Because it will. And I can’t be here, standing there with my heart in my hand, all over again.”

She looks at me quizzically, like she’s trying to put together a puzzle that’s missing pieces.

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