Karlie didn’t want to leave the dance floor, but I did. My dress was sticking to my skin, and I was parched and needed something to drink. She reluctantly agreed if I promised to return. I assured her that we would, but hopeful the Travis would be able to change her mind. Barely able to walk in my shoes, I concentrate on making my way through the wall of people dancing and grinding around me, finally finding my way back to the bar. I definitely regret wearing heels.
As I’m ordering a couple more drinks, I hear Evelyn’s powerful voice cut through the noise and I spin around. My eyes widened slightly when she saunters over with Bo’s arm draped over her shoulder. It looks as if things have moved rather quickly between them after their initial meeting.
“I knew that was you,” she huffs, giving me a hug. Bo stands behind her, scanning the crowd and clearly not impressed with all the bodies bumping into him.
“Babe, I’m out. I’ll be with the guys grabbing a beer,” he says, placing a hard kiss on her lips and leaving her panting when he pulls away.
“Okay,” she breathes with a love-struck look in her eyes as she watches him disappear through the crowd. “Did you see that?” She turns to me.
“You’ve got it bad,” I say, passing Karlie her drink.
“Just a little.” She giggles, glancing over at Karlie. “Hi, I’m Evelyn,” she exclaims as she grabs Karlie’s hand and shakes it vigorously.
“Karlie,” she answers with a welcoming smile before she takes a sip of her drink. Jason Derulo’s “The Other Side” begins pumping over the sound system. I hastily set my drink down onto the bar as Karlie pulls us to the center of the floor where the bodies are more tightly packed, but we manage to find our own little space to move. I block everything out of my head and let the music and the thumping bass take over. That’s all I care about. It feels like we’ve been dancing for hours, but it’s only been a few minutes when I stop and look for Tyler at the bar.
My breath inadvertently catches in my throat when I see him. Reed. He’s leaning with his back against the bar. I don’t know how to react or what to do. It’s like I’ve lost all my senses by seeing him as he sips on a beer and scans the crowd. I drop my eyes and a strange sensation settles in the pit of my stomach. I don’t have the courage to approach him, but I know I want to. My body screams for it to move in his direction, but my mind is telling me to hold back.
“You okay?” Evelyn manages to say as she continues dancing. I nod, giving her a forced, tight smile as I look past her back in the direction of the bar. This time the scene is not so pleasant. It’s like I was gutted, punched in the stomach, and someone ripped out my heart from my chest. After blinking my eyes several times and fighting back the tears, my brain finally catches up with the situation. My gaze narrows as I watch them in the crowded room. Reed’s elbows are propped up on the bar, and Sierra’s draped over him with her arms encircling his neck and her lips pressed against his. He stands there, not fighting her or resisting her at first. Then, finally he gently pushes her away as he mouths something to her. She laughs, throwing her head back before approaching the bar and ordering a drink. My belly clenches, and everything in the room slows down. The pain of seeing him with her has me tethered to the spot I’m standing.
I’m unsure of the expression on Reed’s face as he inspects the crowd. Finishing off his beer, he turns, slamming the bottle onto the bar and waving to the bartender for another. His piercing, blue, emotion-filled eyes sweep over the room and land on me. I purposely move away from Evelyn and Karlie so he can see me, so he knows what I just saw. The way he slumps his shoulder and drops his chin to his chest tells me he’s guilty, and there is nothing he can say or do. Too many emotions collide into each other that I don’t know what exactly I’m feeling as I turn away. Fighting the urge to look back at him, I try to act calm as I glance over at Evelyn and Karlie.
“Karlie, I’m ready to go.” I suck in a deep, painful gulp of air and close my eyes. I didn’t want my night to end this way. I never thought it would end like this. I lower my head and turn my back to the horrible vision in front of me. It’s like I’m reliving the same thing that happened with Cane, but with Reed this time. Everything I thought was going on between them is true.
Why do I put myself through this? That’s when the realization hits me like a powerful storm. I can’t and won’t let anyone hurt me like this anymore. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and tell him how you feel. Tell him he can’t do this to you. I turn with the intent of facing Reed. I want all of this to be over. Now. Reed angrily pushes Sierra away and makes his way toward me, causing the space between us to disappear like the feelings I have for him.
“You!” I shout, running the last few steps at him and slamming my palms on his chest. My hands go flying, punching without thought. He doesn’t expect it, and I don’t care. I smell the strong odor of beer on his breath. He flinches and something resembling pain paints a shadow over his face as he grabs my wrists. I quickly pull away. I want to feel repulsed by his touch, but I don’t. His touch reminds me of what we had, and I want it back so badly. “Don’t touch me! Why did you come back? So I can see you all over town with your hands and lips on this bitch?” I swing my head in Sierra’s direction.
“I…I...” he stutters and shoots Sierra a glare that could kill. “Tell her the truth, Sierra. Why the fuck did you kiss me?”
“You wanted me to,” she says expressionless and cold as winter.
“You fucking lie,” Reed hisses. “I knew I couldn’t...” He spins away. “Fuck!” he growls, grabbing the hair at the nape of his neck. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you. I should have listened to everyone. You truly are the bitch they said you are.” He shoots daggers at her with his fiery blue eyes.
“I told you I always get what I want,” she answers, unfazed by Reed’s harsh words. “Plus, she annoys me.” She glares at me. “In all her perfection and all you fucking guys pining for her.”
“Fuck you, Sierra,” I snap, turning my attention back to Reed. “Don’t blame her for who you are. You’re just being true to your colors!” The words sting by the way his eyes fall. “I guess this is how I’ll remember you.”
“What’s going on?” Tyler pushes through the crowd, pulling me next to him as he glares at Reed. “I thought I fucking told you.”
“Yeah, you were crystal clear,” Reed fumes.
I raise my eyes to Tyler, but he avoids looking at me. I wonder what he means. I don’t want my problems from a past relationship ruining Tyler’s birthday.
“Tyler, let’s go. I’m sure Reed would like to pick up where he left off…with her,” I say harshly. Grabbing Tyler’s hand, I yank him toward the exit.
“Maybe he should be the one to leave,” Tyler replies, pulling my back to him. “Right, Reed?”
Reed doesn’t have an answer; he just turns to the bar and grabs his beer and takes a long pull. His eyes remain locked on Tyler’s. There is an odd tension between them as they both look at each other. I knew their first encounter would be like this.
“Fuck, don’t ignore me,” Tyler says curtly, glaring at Reed. I grab his arm that tenses under my touch.
“Tyler, come on. Let’s go,” I whisper.
“You never told her.” I look over my shoulder at Reed. “Why wouldn’t you?” Reed raises an eyebrow at Tyler. I see Tyler shift uncomfortably.
“Why’d you come back in the first place?” he seethes, pushing his body toward Reed, but I tug him back gently.
“We both don’t want to hurt her,” Reed finishes, placing his beer onto the bar.
“What is he talking about?” I implore, pulling Tyler aside. “What happened between you two?” He searches my face and runs his hand anxiously through his hair. His eyes display a combination of shock and irritation. Something doesn’t sit right. Did they cross paths tonight and exchange words without me knowing? What was said that has Tyler nervous and uncomfortable?
“Nothing. Just ignore him. He just wants to start more shit,” Tyler replies,
glowering back at Reed.
“Come on, Elle. Let him go,” Karlie whispers. So caught up in what’s unfolding in front of me, I didn’t realize that she and Evelyn are still here. Even Bo has a bird’s eye view of the whole ordeal. I feel exposed and naked in front of everyone. Like my life is one big mess. I just want to run away from it all. I don’t press Tyler anymore on it. I still have questions, but right now the situation is heated and I just want it to all disappear.
I let my eyes drift back in Reed’s direction. “Don’t mind me. I’m just the asshole in all of this. Right, Tyler?” Reed grounds out. He swallows roughly. His eyes shine wild with anger and disbelief. Clamping his mouth shut, he shoves his hands through his hair and flicks his eyes to mine. He walks up, stopping just past me. His scent snares me. I actually close my eyes because it’s so powerful. So intoxicating. I inhale the familiar scent of him as he turns and looks at me. “You asked why I came back. I had to see about a girl. I thought she might have loved me back.”
I don’t know what to say, and even if I did, it would have been too late.
At first he shows signs of hesitation as if he wants to stay to say more, but he battles through it. I wish he would say or do whatever he was thinking. I want him to explain everything to me, but then again, I can’t falter. I just can’t. He walks away, slamming his palms against the glass door letting the cool air sweep through the room. And then he’s gone.
My spirit gradually deflates. My thoughts start drifting, and they’re not pleasant. I pull away from Tyler, needing to step away to get some fresh air. Pushing open the door, I watch as Reed storms across the parking lot to his truck. My vision stings with hot tears. The urge to run to him has vanished. I close my eyes attempting to wrap my mind around what just happened. It took only five minutes for him to wreak more havoc to my heart and mind. He’s really good at it. I hope the next girl likes all this drama.
I open my eyes, ready to go back inside when I hazard a glance in his direction, feeling his pull. I’m not quite sure how long he’s been watching me as he drops his eyes to the ground before he disappears behind his truck. His eyes leave a mark; they burn straight to the gaping hole in my heart. The anger just boils back up to the surface. The night was perfect until now. Reed and his little display with Sierra devastated me. A chuckle escapes me as I realize that the last two men I’ve been with have been too weak to fight off Sierra. I don’t feel strong either. I feel misled.
I reenter the bar to find everyone as other people begin leaving for the night. I’m ready to go, too. I notice Sierra hanging around the bar. She’s flirting with Chad and drinking a beer like nothing happened. I don’t understand what her purpose is other than to fucking destroy relationships and deceive people. I storm toward her, sliding in next to her as she continues talking to Chad. She briefly glances over at me before she turns, leaning her body against the bar like she’s on top of the world.
“Did you enjoy all that?” I whisper roughly.
“All of what?” she asks. A small smile touches the corner of her lips as she looks down to smooth out her silk black top that must match the color of her rotten heart. Smart ass. The urge to slap her is unbearable, but I refrain because Chad is watching us.
“You fucking know,” I snap, “You planned that whole thing.” I frown, leaning against the bar.
“No, not all of it. Reed wanted that kiss. He practically begged me for it.” She cocks her head and smiles fully.
“You lie,” I spit out. My face is heated in rage, “You begged him for it, just like with Cane. You’re a conniving bitch. I don’t know what happened to you for you to be this way, but Reed, Cane or I didn’t deserve any of this.”
Her eyes blaze with fury and a sneer crosses her lips. At this point, Chad has left the bar and I’m not sure where he went. I am glad he’s gone so that he doesn’t have to hear the rest of the conversation.
“You know.” She points at me, giving me an icy glare. “If I want to fucking screw the whole bar, I can.” She runs her teeth over her bottom lip seductively, glancing around the bar. “Don’t judge me.”
“Go right ahead. Just leave me out of it.”
“Listen. Someone needed my help, and I volunteered. That was the least I could do for Reed. I was hoping to get something in return, but after seeing how in love he was with you, I...well, my plans changed,” she says without flinching. “I hated listening to him. This muscular, gorgeous guy that’s so broken up over you. It was kind of pathetic to watch.”
It’s unbelievable how she can stand in front of me and be so candid about her intentions of manipulating and destroying someone. She’s left so much chaos and pain in her wake. I. Hate. Her. Fucking hate her. If it weren’t for her, I would probably still be with Cane and we wouldn’t be standing here arguing about her latest plot to undermine Reed. I wouldn’t have gone through all of this.
“I feel sorry for you!” I yell back, amazed by my restraint. I want to unleash on her, but I realize that she’s not worth the energy.
“Don’t. I’m happy. You’re miserable. Poor Reed… he practically begged me to help him get you back. He has this strange idea that you might still want him. I wasn’t going to be the one to help you guys live happily ever after,” she says condescendingly.
“I’ll talk to Reed when I’m ready and tell him how I feel.” I make an affronted noise, unable to speak coherently.
“So, you do still care for him?” She looks past my shoulder impatiently.
“Yes, but that shouldn’t matter to you!” My irritation toward her is escalating as I glare daggers at her, momentarily forgetting that I am in a bar and surrounded by people.
“Oh, so you love him?”
“What is it to you?”
“It’s sad that you can’t admit it to yourself. That you do.” She deadpans, sliding her fingers up and down the bar top, looking back up at me haughtily. “A man like that.” She shakes her head. “You need to snatch someone like him up quick.”
“I do love him!” I yell at her. I’ve known for a long time. Why I decide to declare it in public to her of all people is beyond me. Sierra straightens and grabs her beer from the bar and polishes it off. She never takes her eyes off me as she sets the empty bottle onto the bar.
“Okay, well, my work is done here.” She smiles victoriously. Picking up her purse from the bar, she brushes past me as she flings her hair. “Hey, Tyler, Happy Birthday,” she chirps.
I hastily turn around, wondering how long Tyler has been standing behind me. He raises his eyebrows and jams his hands inside his pockets.
“Yeah, thanks,” he replies unsmiling. Without offering a glance in Sierra’s direction as she walks past him, his deep brown eyes remain trained on me. “Is everything okay?” he asks, stepping toward me as I close the distance between us and place my trembling hands onto his chest, feeling his heart race underneath. He pauses and looks at me for a moment, taking my hands in his. How much of the conversation did he hear? I swear I see emotion that resembles sadness, but then he smiles and kisses me tenderly on the lips. He pulls away, brushing my hair away from my face.
“Sorry about that. Everything’s fine,” I say, gazing up at him. Traces of anger still linger from my exchange with Sierra, but I’m not going to let her or what I saw tonight ruin the rest of the night with Tyler. It’s already wasted too much time. “Let’s go. I haven’t given your birthday present to you yet.”
“Can’t wait.” I hear a note of disappointment in his voice, even though he tries to hide it with his smile.
Sierra. Fucking. Sierra. I was glad Elle did not see me laying into Sierra in the parking lot. Then again, maybe I should have. Would it have even made a difference? I lost the opportunity to explain myself when I saw her standing out there alone, but I didn’t have it in me. I fucked up. Again. It killed me to see her, knowing that I could be the reason she looked so damn upset. I close my eyes, trying to make sense of the bigger mess I’ve created.
I stayed behind, tryin
g to build up the nerve to talk to her; instead, I watched her leave the club with Tyler. She appeared slightly drunk and was having a difficult time keeping steady. By the look on Tyler’s face and the way he was holding her, he was enjoying himself. I admit I watched them the entire fucking time as they waited for a cab. He held her close in that damn sexy red dress while she flirted with him and played with her hair. I watched as the cab pulled up, he opened the door for her and she kissed him. I don’t want to think about where they’re going or what they’re doing later. The thought of Tyler being with her blows my fucking mind.
Good ol’ fucking Tyler. Yeah, I’m more than a little envious that he gets to touch her and breathe the same air as her. It takes a clusterfuck of shit to make me jealous. Fuck. I don’t think I knew that feeling existed until a few months ago when I saw her in the airport with him. I saw the way he looked at her. Kissed her. That hurt and it hurts ten times worse now.
I’m still reeling from all the beers. It’s always the damn beers. The fact that I actually put my trust in Sierra makes me feel like a damn idiot, even after all the warnings. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I’ll make sure to remember that shit from now on. I have to talk to someone, so I immediately dial Juju’s number. I don’t care if it’s past one in the morning. The phone rings a couple of times. It’s a Friday; they could be out. I’m about to hang up when she answers in her sweet voice.
“Reed?” she replies groggily.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Oh my God. You finally decided to call?” She perks up.
“Well, that’s a two-way street.”
“Touché.” She laughs. “My job is really keeping me busy. I got promoted to manager of the retail division. More responsibility, which comes with more money.”
Wanting Reed (Break Me) BOOK 2 Page 22