And then there was one.
After taking another deep breath, I focus on the scenery around me—the passing lights, the shadows cast from the buildings—desperate to keep my mind off Zane. But it’s hopeless.
Why was he there? And why am I still so drawn to him? I thought I’d moved on. With Nathan. I honestly believed that seeing Zane again wouldn’t have this much impact, but I was lying to myself. And that’s messed up on so many levels.
I love Nathan. I do. And he’s good to me. Yes, there’s a chance he was out watching naked women dance, but he wasn’t spending time with his ex. He’d never do that to me.
Out of respect for him—and myself—I should have said no. I should have walked away.
God, he’s going to flip out when I tell him. Because I have to. I do. One thing about me is that I never hold back. At least not when it comes to things that I’ve done.
When it comes to my feelings, that’s another story.
My chest fills with an anxious weight, and when the taxi pulls up to my complex, I can’t bring myself to get out.
I let the meter tick over as I stare at the buildings, taking in the manicured lawns and perfectly shaped hedges. This building screams wealth, and I can barely afford this cab fare on my own. I don’t belong here, and I don’t think I truly realized how much that’s affecting me until now.
My driver clears his throat and I rush to apologize.
After paying the fare, I make the short trek through the gardens, taking my time to reach my condo near the back.
It’s dark when I get in, meaning Nathan’s still out, and when I check the time, it’s not as late as I thought.
After a long, hot shower, washing away the events of the night, I brush my teeth twice and slip into my comfortable pajamas before staring at our bed, imagining Nathan crawling in behindme, his heavy arm draped over my waist as he breathes loudly in my ear.
That’s if he doesn’t try to start something.
A shiver runs through me and I make a split-second decision to bypass the bed, opting to sleep on the armchair in the office.
The thought of being in our bed when he gets home makes my skin crawl, and while I can’t even begin to process what that means, I don’t want to get in a fight about it. Especially if he’s drunk.
Curling myself into a ball, I tuck my hands under my head and will myself to sleep, praying the alcohol helps me drift off.
And it must work, because before I know it, I’m being shaken awake, my head spinning as my eyes flash open.
Nathan?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Blair
Irub my eyes a few times before prying open my lids, my hooded gaze locking with Nathan’s look of concern. God, of course it was Nathan. Who else did I think it would be?
His body sags, and he releases a drawn-out sigh. “Thank God,” he breathes out. “You had me worried.”
“Why?” I frown, squinting when he accidentally shines his phone in my face, the light momentarily blinding me.
“Shit.” He moves away but the bright spots linger. “I couldn’t find you. I was worried you hadn’t made it home.”
What?“What time is it?” I search for my phone but when I can’t immediately find it, I give up, glancing at Nathan in confusion.
Nathan checks his screen before cringing. “Just after five.”
“Five?” I sit up and my head throbs so painfully that I actually grab it, hoping to ease the discomfort. “Are you sure?” I frown, my confusion thickening.
The Nathan I know says that anything after midnight iswaypast his bedtime.
“I’m sure.” He cringes again and the guilt in his eyes snaps me out of my grogginess.
