“I decided I’m not ready for a relationship.” He took a step back and walked to my dresser, fingering a photo of the two of us in a small picture frame. I had a huge grin on my face and Brett was kissing my cheek. After having a little too much wine, I took a picture of us. Memories of the rest of that night reigned full force in my mind. We were happy. Or I thought we were.
I didn’t know what was going on or what had happened since I saw him last night. He had been busy with work so all I could do was text him but he seemed fine. None of it made any sense.
“Brett, you are ready. We’re both ready. We’re ready for us,” I said, walking up behind him. I placed my hand on his back when he spun on me and grabbed my wrist.
“No,” he snarled. “I am not fucking ready. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll forget me, Evvie. Forget everything.”
He moved to walk past me when I stepped in front of him. “If you’re not going to fight, then I will.” I pushed him back against my dresser. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. Yes, we have our issues but no relationship is perfect, Brett. I don’t know why you’re lying but I need you.”
“I’m not fucking lying. Get it through your head, Evvie. I cheated on you. I don’t want to be with you. I’m not a one woman man.”
A painful tightness erupted in my throat as I swallowed. “We were fine last night. What happened?”
He chuckled. “You obviously don’t know me that well.”
“You’re a coward.”
He glared at me, his eyes going cold. “I’m not a fucking coward,” he said through gritted teeth.
“No? You’re using any excuse to get out of our relationship but you’re not telling me why.”
His gaze searched my face before he let out a heavy sigh.
“I just don’t understand,” I whispered.
“You don’t have to.” He pushed past me.
I grabbed his arm, desperate to make him see reason. I don’t care what he said. He did not cheat on me.
He stopped in his tracks and looked down at my hand gripping his arm before meeting my gaze. “Let go of me.”
I swallowed hard at the harshness in his voice but stood my ground. “No. I’m not giving up on us.”
“Evvie,” he said in warning.
“I don’t know what happened but I’m here for you. We can work through this togeth—”
He pulled me against him and crashed his mouth to mine before pushing me against my dresser. Items crashed to the floor as he ground his hips into mine.
I cupped the back of his neck, pulling him against me and wrapped my legs around his waist. My core throbbed, aching for him when my brain was telling me it was wrong. Wasn’t the right time but I ignored that little voice and let him have his control of me.
The sound of his zipper lowering, sent a chill down my spine. He pulled off my pants and before I could even process what his next move was, he was deep inside of me, fucking me against my dresser.
I whimpered, my fingers digging into his shoulders as he filled me.
He devoured my mouth and pulled my head back, plunging his tongue deeper between my lips.
My heels dug into his ass, taking him as far as my body would allow, igniting a rumble from his chest.
Brett brought my knees up to my chest and thrust into me hard, still keeping our mouths locked. Our tongues entwined, danced, fought for ownership even though I knew that this was goodbye. I knew in the back of my mind that we were using each other one last time for pleasure but I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t want to.
The erotic words he usually had for me were silent as he pumped into me at a frantic pace.
His thick cock hit that special spot that was meant just for him and I cried out, a wave of ecstasy exploding deep from within.
He swallowed my cries, pushing into me hard before his dick twitched inside of me. He came hard, filling me.
All too soon he released me, leaving me naked from the waist down on top of my dresser.
I watched him right his pants, not meeting my gaze.
“Forget me, Evvie,” he whispered.
Tears welled in my eyes. “Never.”
His jaw tightened as he headed for my door. “You will.”
In a quick reflex, I picked up something off of my dresser and threw it at the door just as he closed it. Glass shattered to pieces and a sob escaped my lips when I realized that I had thrown the picture of us.
Questions bounced around in my mind, my chest constricting. I couldn’t breathe. A sob escaped my lips as I crashed to the floor. Even though we were both doing the using, shame and guilt tore through me.
He had only been gone a couple of minutes and already it felt like a piece of me had left with him.
My eyes were dry, no longer shedding the tears that had consumed me when Brett left my bedroom a couple of hours before. Voices carried through my small apartment as I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. I had cried myself to sleep only to wake every so often from nightmares of our fight.
A shiver ran down my back as I replayed the fight over and over in my mind. What did I do wrong? Could I have done something different to make Brett stay?
I texted him, even called him but got no response. None of it made sense. He fought for me in the beginning. Begging me to tell him how I felt about him and now that our feelings are laid out for both to see, he leaves me?
A tightness erupted deep inside of me and I huffed, turning over onto my stomach. I punched the pillow and let out a heavy sigh. The scent of musk and man invaded my nostrils making my body heat. My chest tightened, my vision blurring.
I rose from the bed and grabbed a pair of pajamas before heading to the bathroom. Once leaving my room, the voices of Kane and Ethan stopped me in my tracks.
“I warned her about him,” Kane said, his voice sounding gruff.
Oh God. I prayed this wouldn’t ruin the friendship between Kane and Brett.
“My sister is known for making shitty decisions when it comes to men,” Ethan mumbled.
I scowled. No I wasn’t. Yes, I had met some crappy guys through my dating years but not enough to become “known for it”.
“I don’t know what the hell happened but I know Brett loves her,” Kane responded.
“Didn’t seem that way tonight with all of the yelling.”
“They weren’t yelling for long,” Kane stated.
“Dude, that’s my fucking sister, asshole,” Ethan said, his voice filled with disgust.
My cheeks heated. They heard us. I shook my head. Whatever. It’s not like it would happen again anyways. A lump formed in my throat and I placed a hand on the doorknob
“Sorry, man.” Kane chuckled.
“This better not ruin her or I will fucking kill him. I don’t care if it puts me back in jail. If my sister doesn’t get over this because of that asshole, the last thing he sees will be me.”
An icy shiver ran down my spine at Ethan’s words. I shut myself in the bathroom and took a shower. The hot water caressed my skin, easing some of the ache in my bones. I frowned and sank to the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees. Only one person could ease the full ache since meeting him weeks before.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as my heart felt heavy. I swallowed past the hard lump in my throat, trying to ease the shakes, but I no longer had control. I cried. Missing Brett. He had forced his way into my life and now he was gone. Wanted nothing to do with me. If I would have had a better explanation, I would be able to deal with it but why would he lie about cheating on me? Something had happened to force him to break up with me and even if we didn’t end up back together, I was damned determined to find out what it was.
***
A week later, after the club had closed for the night, I was putting bottles away. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I knew that Brett was watching me. He always watched me. Maybe to see if I was okay. I didn’t know but I knew that I wasn’t okay. I needed him.
All week he didn’t call me
, text me or even talk to me at work. I was tempted to quit and get a different job but I couldn’t.
Rumors flew around the staff that he already had a new plaything. It pissed me off but I ignored them.
“Hey girl, you okay?”
I startled and looked up at Tatiana. Her warm caramel skin glowed in the dim red lighting and her piercing gaze softened. I nodded.
She placed a hand on my shoulder. “If you need anything, I’m here for you.”
I bit back a sob as tears burned my eyes. “I know,” I whispered.
“I don’t know what happened but I know he loves you.”
“Apparently that’s not enough,” I mumbled.
“I know, honey.”
I shook myself and put on a smile. “Whatever. I’m over it.”
Her lips tightened and she pulled me into a hug. The scent of vanilla invaded my nostrils and I sighed returning the embrace.
“God, T. It hurts. It hurts so fucking much,” I sobbed.
“I know.” She squeezed me tight before holding me at arm’s length. “Something good will come from this.”
I scoffed. “Yeah. Right.”
Tatiana smiled and looked over her shoulder.
I followed her gaze, instantly finding Brett. He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed under his chest. My heart flipped at the casual but dominating pose.
“Take care of yourself, Ev,” T said, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving the club.
I sighed. Alone. With Brett. Memories of the last time we were alone at the club together made my heart stutter. I shook myself.
A vibration erupted through my body and I frowned. I reached into my pocket for my phone and saw Ethan’s name flashing on the small screen.
I swiped my thumb across it. “Hello?”
“Hey sis,” he mumbled.
“What’s wrong?” It was nearly three A.M. Why was he calling so late?
“Dad’s in the hospital.”
My stomach sunk and I gasped. “What? Why?”
“I don’t know anything yet.”
He gave me the details of where he was and I quickly wrote them down before hanging up the phone. Oh God, please let our father be okay.
“Evvie, what’s wrong?”
I jumped at the deep voice in my ear and looked up at Brett. “Nothing.”
His eyes narrowed and he grabbed the piece of paper from my hand.
I huffed, ignoring the scent of musk and man that invaded my nostrils.
His gaze met mine. “I’ll take you.”
I scoffed. “I don’t fucking think so.”
“Evvie.”
“No!”
His eye brow rose.
“You’ve wanted nothing to do with me for a week and now all of a sudden you do?”
His lips flattened. “I’m trying to help.”
“Please,” I said, rolling my eyes and grabbed my bag off the counter before storming down the hall.
“Evvie. Stop.”
I stuck my hand up and gave him the middle finger.
“I’m not having you out in the city at this hour by yourself,” he said, his voice hard.
I swallowed, ignoring the little voice inside of my head telling me not to argue. “Well I’m not going anywhere with you, asshole.”
Once we reached outside, he grabbed my arm, stopping me. “I’m driving you.”
My pulse sped as we stood there staring at each other.
Brett let me go and closed up the club. He walked by me. “Get in the car, Evvie.”
My body tensed. I wanted to yell and scream at him. Beg him to have me back but the words froze on my tongue. I would not give him the satisfaction of having control over my feelings. I huffed and stomped to the passenger side of the red sports car. My heart pounded against my ribs the closer we got to it. This was the first time we were alone since he broke up with me. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t be this close to him and not be allowed to touch him. I reached into my pocket and dialed the cab company. “Hi, yes can I get a cab—”
The phone was snatched out of my hand.
I spun on Brett and pushed him. “Give me my phone.”
He stuck the cell in his suit jacket, his face passive like he was over this game. “No.”
“Give me my damn phone, Brett.” I pushed him again and reached for his jacket.
He grabbed my hands, holding them against him. “I am driving you to the fucking hospital.”
“Why? Why do you care what happens in my life?” I asked, shoving out of his grip.
“Why wouldn’t I care?” he bit out.
“You didn’t care a week ago when you came into my apartment, broke up with me, fucked me and then left. Is that all you’ve wanted? After all of these weeks? I was some hole for you to fuck when you got bored, Brett?” The verbal-vomit poured from my lips. All of the pent up frustration and confusion over the last week finally left me. This was my chance to tell him exactly how I felt and I couldn’t control it.
“Watch it, Evvie,” he snarled and forced me to take a step back.
“Or else what? God,” I shook my head. “I’m so fucking stupid.”
A strong hand wrapped around my throat, forcing my head back. The grip on my jaw tightened, holding me in place as Brett pinned me between his hard body and the side of his car. “I don’t like those words coming from your lips, lover.”
“I’m not your lover anymore. So you don’t get to fucking call me that,” I said mockingly.
His jaw clenched and he leaned down, his mouth mere inches from mine. “Under normal circumstances, I would put that dirty mouth to good use.”
My body heated but I ignored it. “Yeah well, when had our relationship ever been normal? Now let me go.”
He stared intently into my eyes, holding my stare captive. “I miss you,” he whispered.
My back stiffened. “You should have thought of that before breaking up with me.”
“I told you—”
“You didn’t tell me a damn thing. I don’t know why you lied to me. I don’t know why you broke up with me. I don’t know anything.”
Brett released me and opened the passenger door. “Get in.”
“Are you trying to make me hate you?”
His deep blue eyes met mine, pain and sadness flashing behind his cold stare. “Get. In.”
“‘Cause it’s working,” I mumbled and slid into the car. Holding my head in my hands, I let out an exasperated sigh.
The sound of the door closing, shutting us into the car together, made my heart thump.
I knew he loved me but I also knew that there was a deeper part of him. Maybe I couldn’t fill that need. “Why did you break up with me? Honestly. Did I not satisfy you?”
His gaze met mine. “Satisfy me? God, Evvie, you were the best thing that fucking happened to me.”
“Then why are we not together, Brett?” I cried in frustration.
“I cheated on you.”
A laugh escaped my lips. “You can say that as many times as you want but I know you didn’t cheat on me.”
“How do you know that? I use women. Fuck them and leave them and I don’t care who I hurt in the end.”
“You came back to me. Slept with me once and then—”
Brett looked ahead, his body tense. “I was drunk. You hit on me so I fucked you. I never turn down a piece of ass.”
Before I could think twice, I slapped him. The sound of skin meeting skin echoed through the air, my palm tingling from the rough impact.
He turned infuriated eyes on me.
I lifted my chin, not backing down. “That’s for lying to me.”
His jaw tightened. “Evvie,” he said in warning.
“Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn’t enjoy these past couple of weeks. Tell me you don’t love me.”
He didn’t meet my gaze or give me a response.
God, what was going on? None of this made any sense at all. “The more we keep doing this, the more I’
m falling out of love with you,” I whispered and wiped away the one lonely tear that had rolled down my cheek.
Brett’s breath hitched but he didn’t say anything.
***
“You didn’t have to come up with me,” I said, glancing at Brett as we walked down the long white hallway of the large hospital. I crossed my arms under my chest when he reached for my hand. I backed away, not needing his touch.
Pain flashed in his eyes but was soon replaced by a coldness that made my heart thump.
I let out a heavy sigh, pulling a sense of strength from deep inside myself.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Your dad will get through this, Evvie.”
I looked up at him. “You don’t know that.”
“No, I don’t,” he mumbled.
My steps sped up, anxiety flowing in the pit of my core. Lemon cleaner invaded my nostrils, burning my throat when I swallowed as we walked down the long hallway. I hated hospitals.
“You can leave. You drove me here like you said, so go home.”
“I’m not leaving.”
I stopped at grabbed his arm. “Just leave. Please. You have no right to be here.”
He shrugged. “Maybe not.”
“God, you piss me off!”
The corners of his lips twitched and he took a step towards me. “I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you. You may hate me. You may not even fucking love me anymore but you can’t be here by yourself.”
I frowned. “My brothers are here.”
“That means nothing to me.”
“Brett, just leave already.” I huffed.
“Call me selfish. Whatever. I don’t fucking care but I need to see for myself that you’re okay before I leave.”
“I’m not okay,” I blurted. Tears burned my eyes. My chin trembled, my shoulders tight at the thought of my father not making it.
He took a tentative step towards me and slowly wrapped his arms around my shoulders. When I didn’t pull away, he embraced me in a warm hug.
My emotions battled against the other as he held me tight. After everything we had been through and even though we weren’t getting along, he was there for me. He was with me when I needed him most and I will always be grateful to him for that.
“What the hell is he doing here?”
Possessed by You Page 18