Admitting this to myself had consequences. I couldn’t look at Cadence and not think about any of this.
She was no longer just another girl. I couldn’t be one of her friends. I didn’t want to hear about her relationship, and I sure as hell didn’t need to listen to her talk abouthim.
The last time Cadence and I were together, I’d barely kept my composure, much to my astonishment. But I wouldn’t be able to do it again.
How the fuck did I let myself get into this mess? And with a woman who was in a serious and committed relationship?
But I knew. Deep down, I knew how.
She was emotionally unavailable, or so I told myself, which had drawn me in whether I wanted to admit that or not. It was safe to flirt and tease her. She wouldn’t catch feelings because she already had a boyfriend.
I wouldn’t get hurt.
Little did I know, I would be the one to catch those feelings.
And I wasn’t afeeling’skind of guy anymore.
Fuck. Me.
I should have known from the day we met. I’d been drawn to her then, and even after I found out she wasn’t available, I still couldn’t get her out of my head. That should have been my first clue.
Not only was she beautiful, but she was intelligent and clever. Her messages made me laugh and she had a way of always making me feel better when I was down. She was sweet and kind, always ready to help out someone in trouble. Just like she helped us when we needed that tow.
At first, we’d bonded over our shared love of music, but now I simply enjoyed talking to her.
When my heart stopped listening to the rational parts of my brain, I should have run in the opposite direction.
But, in my defense, I had tried to keep my distance from her…not that it lasted.
Apparently, I was a masochist. I had only set myself up for heartache once again.
But Cadence was nothing like Vanessa.
There was no comparison between the two.
I didn’t know that at the beginning when I met Cadence, but I sure as hell knew it now.
“You okay down there?” Shane’s voice pulled me from the endless merry-go-round my thoughts were riding.
“I’m fine. Just thinking.”
“I can hear the cogs turning in your head. Don’t hurt yourself.”
I snorted. “It’s not that serious.”
“Who are you trying to convince here?”
“Myself, obviously.”
“Was that Vi on the phone?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so. Cadence then.”
“Yeah.”
“She okay?”
