CC put a hand on her hip, then turned her head to look at me. “You stay withthem? You’re even worse off than I thought.”
“I’m hismanager. We take care of him.” Katrina sneered, her perfect shiny lip gloss catching the artificial light from the hallway. “What are you? The hired help?”
Terri clenched a fist, then pivoted in my direction. “I was a fucking fool for ever thinking…” Taking a deep breath, she moved to step over the threshold, but I darted in front of her and slammed the door, pushing my back against the wood.
“Please don’t leave like this. Don’t run away from me. Give me a chance. That’s all I ask. One more chance. I don’t want to live without you again.”
“Youhadyour chance. For twelve years you’ve had it. But instead of taking that chance, you chose them”—she jerked a thumb to point behind her, at the door, where Katrina or Jay knocked, demanding to be let in—“the people who’d probably sell you out if it meant they could climb to the top. I bet they’re still nothing but bullies and users.”
“They’re all I’ve had, and Jay’s dad was the only one who’d give me a chance.”
“Whatever.” She pushed herself into my space, reaching toward the knob but pressing her mouth next to my ear. “You all deserve each other.”
Her citrusy jasmine scent teased me, and I knew if she walked out of this room, I would lose her forever.
“I’m sorry, Terri. I fucked up. I know that. But—”
“If you don’t step away in the next five seconds, you will beextremelysorry.” She leaned away, the warmth of her breath replaced with cold air from the hotel’s air conditioning.
Hanging my head, I slid away. I wouldn’t keep her in here against her will. “Know that I love you, Cotton Candy. Always. I’m sorry I’ve gotten so fucked up. You don’t deserve someone like me. Maybe if I could’ve fixed the broken pieces in my life…”
A line formed between her eyebrows and she pursed her lips. Inhaling a long breath, she turned away, yanking the door open. Without a word, she barreled through a furious Katrina and a surprised Jay.
I watched her break into a run with her curls flying and her hips swaying.
What have I done?I’d just lost the only person I’d ever truly cared about for what? A temporary high? A band-aid I slapped on a wound that never quit bleeding?
“Seriously, Paxton? You slept withthat?” Katrina asked, her attention on CC’s receding form.
“Fuck off. Both of you.” I slammed the door in their faces and relocked the deadbolt.
If I’m going to completely ruin my life, might as well do it right.I reached under the mattress and searched until a small, hard case brushed against my fingertips.
CC didn’t want me? Fine, I’d become nothing but a blurry memory.
At least for a little while.
Chapter thirty-six
Terri Kingston
AfterspendingSaturdayandSunday fielding questions from Lana doing her best to find out what happened between Paxton and me, I more than looked forward to Monday morning’s tediousness. To normalcy.
But inside, my heart bled for Paxton all over again. It cried for the sweet, stoic boy I’d lost and now the confused man he’d become.
Maybe we’re just not meant to be together. Ever.
I stood and stretched, glancing through the station’s windows to take in the late afternoon sunshine streaming outside, highlighting every crevice of the desert and offering no shade or respite for any creature who dared to venture into the heat.
“How’d your weekend go?” asked Angela.
I jumped at the sound of her voice, then schooled my face into something I hoped was bland. I turned in her direction. “Fine, I guess.”
“Oh yeah?” She smiled and her eyes twinkled. “A little bird told me you went on a date.”
“Who told—”
“With Paxton Ross.” Pursing her lips, she raised her eyebrows then sat on the end of my desk behind the counter.
