Page 26 of Wrecked

And I try really hard not to think about what I did tonight.

Or, rather, didn’t do.

I’m not proud of myself. Not one bit.

I’m just as locked away in the closet today as I was growing up back home.

Chapter 9 – Sam

When I walk into my bedroom with just a towel wrapped around my waist, the room is empty.

He’s gone.

I just know it. A glutton for punishment, I check the kitchen and the spare bedroom just to be sure, but there’s no sign of Cooper.

“Cooper?” My voice shakes as I call for him.

He bailed on me.

Without a fucking word. Without an explanation.

Not even,Hey, I’m sorry, but I’ve changed my mind.

Or,Hey, I’m sorry, but I don’t think this is a good idea.

He just walked out.

I return to my bedroom just long enough to pull on a clean pair of underwear and grab a pillow and a blanket. I walk out to the living room and crash on the sofa.

I don’t want to sleep in my big empty bed tonight. It’s too much of a reminder of what didn’t happen.

Against my better judgment, I was willing to take a chance on him, and I got burned in the process.

* * *

At eight the next morning, while I’m sitting on my sofa eating microwave pancakes slathered with butter and maple syrup, I get a text message from Shane.

Shane: I’ll drop Beth off at Clancy’s at nine. My sister Lia will pick her up at two.

Me: Got it. I’ll be waiting for her.

Last night, as I fell asleep on the sofa watching oldStar Trek reruns, I wallowed in self-pity. And I nursed a bruised heart.

But this morning, I’m pissed.

And I’d rather be pissed than sad any day.

Since I showered yesterday evening for no damn good reason, I don’t bother doing it again this morning. After I finish breakfast, I dump the dirty dishes in the sink and go get dressed. Since I’ll be shadowing a cute girl in a bookstore, I figure it’s okay to dress casual. I pull on a pair of gray cargo pants, a camo T-shirt, and a pair of combat boots.

I tuck my Beretta into my ankle holster so it’s not visible to bystanders. Just in case, I’ve got a spare magazine and more ammo in one of my bulky pockets.

It’s only eight-fifteen, so I have time to walk to the bookstore rather than catch one of the many cabs lined up outside the apartment building. It’s cool enough this time of the morning that I’m not in danger of working up a sweat. Besides, the exercise will do me good. I need to get my head on straight. I need to stop the pity-party going on in my brain right now.

Oh, woe is me. Cooper bailed on me. Again.

Well, fuck him. That’s what I say.

The first chance I get, I’m going to a gay bar and I’m going to find some big, burly bear to fuck Cooper right out of my thoughts.