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Tempting Sophia

Page 16

by Jessica Prince


  I stood back and threw the front door open. “Now get out.”

  “Please, Dom. I didn’t know you’d be with her, I swear!”

  “Bitch, get the hell out of my house.”

  “I’ll make it right,” she begged, tears clinging to her long-ass fake lashes. Everything about her was fake.

  “Nothing you can do now except get out!” I finished on a roar.

  “Okay,” she whimpered, bending to work the sad scrap of material she called clothing up her legs. “Just let me get dre—”

  But I was done.

  I took her forearm once again and all but threw her out of my apartment with her dress still bunched around her calves.

  “Dominic!”

  I slammed the door and started to turn when I spotted an ugly-as-hell bright pink purse on the table. I picked it up, opened the door, and threw it out. She hadn’t been prepared, still busy trying to cover her naked body from my neighbors, so it clattered to the ground, everything inside spilling out all over the breezeway.

  With that done, I slammed the door shut again and threw the lock. If I found anything else of hers in my apartment I’d just burn it.

  Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled my cell out and called Sophia. It went straight to voice mail. I hung up and did it again to the same outcome… over and over until I finally gave up the fifth time.

  A part of my brain was telling me to give her space, but I ignored it, grabbed my keys, and rushed out the front door, not bothering to lock it behind me as I sprinted to my car. If someone robbed me, they were welcome to everything I owned. It was all replaceable. None of that shit mattered—the only thing that mattered was Sophia. I had to get to her. I had to explain that Chelsea hadn’t given her the whole truth.

  I spent the whole drive to her house praying to every single god I could think of—and even some of the saints I could recall from Catholic school—that she’d give me the time to tell the full truth.

  I was so desperate to get to her that I barely came to a full stop in her driveway before shoving the door open and bolting out. I didn’t even bother to close it behind me.

  “Sophia!” I shouted, pounding on her front door. “Soph, baby! Please, open up! I’m begging you, please, you have to let me explain!”

  I got nothing, not even so much as Lancelot’s muffled barking. I banged again, so hard it was a wonder I didn’t break the door down. “Sophia!”

  “Excuse me!”

  I spun around to find a woman who I guessed to be in her mid- to late-seventies, wearing a muumuu and foam rollers in her hair standing on the front porch of the house next to Sophia’s. “Do you have any idea what time it is, young man? It’s unbelievably inappropriate to shout a house down in the middle of the night. If you don’t stop disrupting the neighborhood, I’m calling the cops.”

  “I’m sorry,” I called. “I really am. But have you seen Sophia by any chance? Just within the last thirty minutes or so?”

  I could see her face pull into a deep frown from the bright light emanating from her front stoop. It was like a goddamned spotlight. “Why should I tell you? You could be a deranged killer or something, skulking around here in the dark, beating doors down.”

  I took two steps off Sophia’s porch in her direction. “Please. I’m a… friend. She was upset earlier and I’m worried.” I could see my words were affecting her so I kept quiet, not wanting to push my luck.

  “Well that would explain why she went peeling out of here like her hind end was on fire. Even took that ugly little dog of hers. Looked like she was crying, but when I asked what was the matter she wouldn’t even look in my direction. Just threw a bag in her car and took off. Pretty rude if you ask me.”

  She isn’t here. Damn it. “Okay, thanks.” I hopped off the last step onto the walkway and bolted back to my car.

  “Young people,” the old lady grumbled. “Always in such a hurry.”

  She had no idea.

  “Yeah. Thanks. Bye.” I jumped in my car and reversed out of the driveway. As soon as my wheels touched the road, I hit the button on my steering wheel to activate my phone through the speakers. I got her voice mail again and my anxiety rose.

  “Sophia, please. Call me, okay? I need to talk to you.” I tried three more times before giving up and trying another number.

  She picked up on the third ring. “This better be important, big brother. I was asleep, and you know how much I love my beauty sleep. Don’t make me have to kill you.”

  “Is Sophia with you?” I spit out in a rush.

  Lola’s voice went on high alert as she answered. “No. What’s wrong? What happened? Is everything okay?”

  “So she’s not at yours and Grayson’s house?”

  “Dominic! Tell me what’s going on,” she demanded. I could hear Grayson’s voice in the background but couldn’t make out what he was saying.

  “Some shit went down tonight,” I replied. “We got into a fight and she took off. She’s not answering my calls, and she’s not at her house. Do you have any idea where she’d go?”

  “Shit!” She hissed the word with about as much emotion as I was feeling. “What did you do.”

  “Please, Lola. Just… Fuck! Just tell me if you’d know where she’d go!”

  “I don’t know, Dom! Normally she’d come to me, but since she’s not here….”

  Son of a bitch! “Okay, thanks.” I disconnected the call and ignored it when she called back, spending the next four hours driving all over Seattle searching for her. I called, I texted, and I didn’t hear a word.

  I felt like I was slowly dying on the inside. Panic twisted my gut, my heart was breaking…

  And there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do about it.

  Sophia

  I lucked out that the first hotel I stumbled on as I drove aimlessly through the city was dog friendly. Sure, the guy at the front desk didn’t seem too thrilled when Lancelot passed gas right there at the counter, but other than a dirty look, he let it slide.

  “Come on, baby boy,” I cooed to my little guy. “Let’s go check out our home for the next couple of days.”

  I slid the key card into the lock until the light turned green, then pushed the door open. The plan was to binge on room service, rent a ton of movies, and wallow in my own misery for the next couple of days.

  I’d turned my cell off, not wanting to talk to anyone until I was able to get my head straight. It was like I’d been transferred back in time ten years. The only difference this time was that I was determined to handle the situation differently.

  Back then I’d been young and stupid, letting my emotions control my behavior and acting on them. I refused to do that this time. I was a grownup and I’d learned from the past—well, somewhat, anyway.

  I wasn’t going to be ruled by my emotions this time. I had too much going for me: an amazing career, a fabulous life that I’d built for myself. I wasn’t going to allow this to keep me down. Was I hurting? Yes. Was my heart torn to shreds? Abso-fucking-lutely. But that didn’t mean I had to let that heartbreak show.

  I had a few days. That was all I was allowing myself. Then I was going to be a mature, responsible woman, damn it.

  Even if it killed me.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Sophia

  To: Sophia

  From: BigSpoon

  Subject: Radio silence

  Sweet Sophia,

  Morning, sweetheart. It’s been a few days since I’ve heard from you. How was your weekend? Is everything all right?

  Your friend,

  ~BS

  To: BigSpoon

  From: Sophia

  Re: Radio silence

  Spoon,

  I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to return your e-mails. I kind of needed an escape from the world for a few days. I guess you could say I took the weekend off from reality.

  The truth is I feel like the biggest fool on the planet for believing that a person could really change. Their true colors eventually come th
rough no matter how hard they try to cover them up.

  Dominic proved to me that second chances aren’t worth giving, and I’m in a pretty shitty place right now because of it.

  ~Soph

  To: Sophia

  From: BigSpoon

  Re: Radio Silence

  Soph,

  Shit, honey. I’m so sorry. Are you okay? You want to talk about it?

  Your shoulder,

  ~BS

  To: BigSpoon

  From: Sophia

  Re: Radio Silence

  Spoon,

  I don’t even really know what to say. I got a reality check this weekend when a blast from his past came storming back into the picture. She really enjoyed rubbing his dirty laundry in my face. And it’s not just the fact that I literally walked in on her in his bed naked. The worst part was finding out that he’s capable of betraying his own family.

  I’m not even his blood, so what does that say about what he’s capable of doing to me?

  ~Soph

  To: Sophia

  From: BigSpoon

  Re: Radio silence

  Soph,

  Christ, I hate that you’re dealing with this shit. I wish there was something I could do to help. I’ve been where you are. Trust me, I know how badly it hurts. The only thing I can do is try and be here for you as a friend.

  And as your friend, I feel like it’s my job to play devil’s advocate. I’m on your side, sweetheart. I need you to know that. But without knowing what it was that he did to break your trust for a second time, I want you to remember that there are two sides to every story.

  Again, please don’t think I’m taking this asshole’s side. If you want, I’ll gladly hunt the fucker down and beat the ever-loving shit out of him. I just don’t want you to suffer if there’s an excuse that could make you feel better.

  No matter what, though, I’m here if or when you need me.

  Always here for you

  ~BS

  To: BigSpoon

  From: Sophia

  Re: Radio Silence

  Spoon,

  I appreciate what you’re trying to do, honestly, but I just can’t make my brain or heart go there right now. I’m barely hanging on as it is. Whether or not he has an excuse isn’t the point. The point is I can’t be with someone capable of doing what he did. I can’t just sit and wait to be hurt again.

  And believe me, I’m starting to think that’s all he’s capable of doing. Hurting me. Over and over.

  Anyway, let’s stop talking about this. I don’t want to be that girl. You know, the whiny one who goes on and on about the boy who broke her heart? I hate that girl, so let’s change the subject.

  Can you believe the contest is already coming to an end? This has been a really crazy few months, hasn’t it? And I guess since we’re about to cross the finish line, it’s safe to tell you that you’re the lucky guy who gets to be my plus one at my BFF’s wedding. LOL.

  Because of current circumstances, I can’t guarantee the evening won’t be a clusterfuck of epic proportions, but it’s an open bar so BONUS! And I promise I’ll be great company.

  Looking forward to finally meeting you in person this week!

  ~Soph

  I needed coffee.

  No, scratch that. I needed wine. A shitload of wine. Unfortunately it wasn’t even seven o’clock on a Monday morning and I had work, so that was out of the question.

  I had to wake up early so I could get my stuff and Lancelot back to my house before heading in to the studio. Because of that and having no sleep whatsoever all weekend, I had to cake concealer under my eyes to mask the circles.

  I still hadn’t turned my phone on. I wasn’t sure what I was more afraid of, turning it on to see that there were an ungodly number of missed calls and messages, or turning it on to find there wouldn’t be anything at all. Either way, the thought was too overwhelming.

  Lancelot had been sleeping on the floor of the doorway to my bathroom as I blew my hair out when the sound of his yippy bark broke through the noise of the dryer.

  I shut it off and looked down at him. Then I heard it, a persistent knocking on my front door. I hurried to the bedroom window and pulled the curtain back just enough to peek through, letting out a sigh of relief that it wasn’t Dominic’s car in my drive. But this wasn’t much better.

  “Sophia Vaughn! You open this door right this minute!”

  “Shit,” I hissed, cinching my robe tighter around me before rushing down the two flights of stairs. If Daphne was shouting loud enough for me to hear from the third floor, then that old bat Mrs. Cramer from next door was sure to hear, and that lady was the definition of a pain in the ass.

  “Sophia!” She continued beating just as I hit the first-floor landing.

  “I’m coming, I’m coming!” I turned the lock and pulled the door open. “Jeez, do you really have to bust my door down?”

  “Let me in,” she demanded. Then, in order to butter me up, she waved a drink holder with two Starbucks cups in front of my face and said in a singsong voice, “I brought coffee.”

  With a sigh, I stepped to the side, her heels clicking on the wood floors as she sashayed in. I followed after her and took one of the cups once she set them down. “What brings you by this early in the morning?”

  She propped her hands on her hips, kicked out a foot, and shot fire from her eyes. “What brings me by? Seriously? You disappeared for an entire weekend. Your phone’s turned off. We’ve all been worried sick, and all you can ask is what brings me by?”

  I puffed my cheeks up and blew out a breath of frustration liberally laced with sadness. “Come on,” I stated, taking my coffee and heading up the stairs. “I have to get ready for work, so if you’re going to demand answers, at least let me finish getting dressed.”

  Daphne made herself comfortable on the foot of my bed and sipped her coffee while I rummaged through my walk-in closet. I wasn’t in the mood to put in my usual effort, but I needed the armor of a stylish outfit and impeccable hair and makeup if there was any chance whatsoever that I’d run into Dominic that day.

  “Okay, time to start talking, baby cakes.”

  I selected a pair of wide-legged black slacks and a silky cream-colored blouse before heading back into the bedroom to start dressing. Daphne had abandoned her coffee to give Lancelot some cuddles.

  “There’s really nothing to talk about. I just needed some alone time for a bit.”

  “Because something happened with you and Dominic.” It wasn’t a question.

  I slipped into my pants before meeting her gaze. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing more than that, really. Lola called me, frantic because she couldn’t get ahold of you. Told me Dom called her in the middle of the night Friday asking where you were. All he would tell her was that something bad went down. That’s all we know.”

  I turned to the standing mirror in the corner as I worked the buttons of my top. “Yeah,” I laughed humorlessly. “That’s an understatement.”

  Daphne’s voice was filled with concern as she said, “Then why don’t you tell me what happened? Lola and I have been out of our minds.”

  I closed my eyes tight against the onslaught of pain that washed over me. It was several seconds before I could trust myself to speak without bursting into tears. “Dominic had a visitor when we got to his place Friday night. She was lying in his bed naked when we got there.”

  “Holy shit,” she whispered.

  “Yeah. And it was really weird. It was as if she wasn’t surprised to see me. Like she was expecting he’d be with me or something. She had some enlightening stuff to say, that’s for sure.”

  She dropped Lancelot to the floor and stood from the bed, moving across to where I was and leaning against the dresser to get a better view of my face. “What did she say?”

  My fists clenched so tight my nails cut into my palms. “She said—” A massive lump formed in my throat, threatening to choke me. “—she’s his dad’s girlfriend. Apparently they
’d been hooking up behind his back.”

  The look of shock on her face spoke volumes. “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish I was.” I ran my hands through my hair and began pacing. “God, Daph, how low does a person have to be to do something like that? To sleep with your own father’s girlfriend?”

  Her eyes brightened with unshed tears and she blinked rapidly to fight them off. She knew better than anyone how a betrayal from a family member felt. I was such an asshole for dredging up painful memories, all because I was feeling sorry for myself.

  “God, Daph, honey. I’m so sorry.” I rushed to her and wrapped her in a huge hug.

  “No, it’s okay. I’m okay.” She pulled back but kept her hands on my upper arms. “That was a long time ago. Stop worrying about me. It’s time for me to worry about you. Are you okay?”

  “Honestly, babe, I don’t know what I am. I just can’t believe I thought he’d changed.”

  “What did Dominic have to say about all of it?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. I just ran out of there.”

  She dropped her hands and gave me a look I couldn’t quite interpret. “But….”

  “What?” I asked when it became clear she wasn’t going to finish her thought. “But what?”

  “Well, what if he did change, Soph?” Being one of my closest friends, she could tell I was about to jump in and object so she hurried on. “You said so yourself that the chick didn’t seem surprised to see you. What if she was only giving you half the story? What if—”

 

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