Amy’s hands shoot to her mouth. Trey stands against the stage, hands in the air, cheering. When her fingers drop, her face is split with a grin. Jealousy burns in my throat, every nerve tightening to the point of pain.
She used to look at me like that. I need her back in my life. That is non-negotiable.
She walks out to the center of the stage, hips swaying, hands waving from side to side. Men in tiny thongs appear on both sides of her. One drapes a sash over her shoulder, smoothing it against her breasts. My fists clench.
Hands off, asshole. She’s mine.
The other places a crown on her head and presents her with a gargantuan trophy. They all pose for photos, then everyone leaves the stage.
I walk over to the judge’s table and tap the chief judge on the shoulder. “I’m staying for the meal,” I tell him. “And I want to be seated next to the winner of the last class.
His face twists, amused. “You want to sit next to your ex-girlfriend?”
“Yes, and she won’t be an ex for long.”
I excuse myself to prepare. Amy is firmly in my sights, and once I’ve got her back, I’ll never let her go.
The underground garage is dark. Only a few pitiful lights emit any form of illumination. My car is parked in the furthest corner of the parking lot.
I stroll over, running through all the things I want to say to her, my key digging into my palm. Sweat gathers at my collar despite the cold. Part of me just wants to drop to my knees and beg her to forgive me.
As I approach, I find Trey leaning against the passenger door of my car. He looks like a gangland heavy with his tattoos and sleeveless shirt.
“You scratch that paintwork and I’ll have you shot,” I mutter.
He smiles wickedly.
“What do you want? I thought you weren’t speaking to me.”
“Strictly speaking, I’m not,” he says, straightening. “But…” He pauses, stepping into my space. “I want to know what you’re planning and if those plans include her.”
“Who?” I ask, feigning ignorance.
“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Ivan,” he snaps. “You’ve been at every fucking event since she threw you out. People talk. Your presence has been noted. There can only be one reason for that.”
“Perhaps I’ve suddenly found a love for these ego-stroking events after all these years. I might even dust off my own posing pouch.”
He laughs. His chest vibrates with hilarity.
“I’d fuck you myself to see that,” he says with a dark smile. “Seriously, Ivan, what’s your game?”
“I don’t have one,” I say honestly. “My life has been incomplete since she left me. I love her. I need her back. The woman has me by the balls. She’s all I fucking think about.”
“This isn’t something you can manage, Ivan. You can’t force it or pay for it. She was devastated. I told you to come clean months ago.” Trey runs a tattooed hand through his close-cropped hair. “Her ex-husband asked for another chance. Turned up on her doorstep begging for forgiveness.”
Everything tenses, my face screwing uncontrollably. Trey watches my every move.
“She told him to fuck off. She doesn’t love him anymore. You made her realize that.”
My mind struggles to process what he’s said. She doesn’t love Terry. The tension pulsing under my skin releases, my knees softening.
“She’s been hoping you’d call her. She hoped you would fight for her. Where the fuck have you been for the past five months?”
I laugh quietly under my breath, then mumble, “Sitting at home nursing a broken heart. Does she know I’m here?” He shakes his head. “I’ve arranged to sit next to her at dinner this evening.”
“Well, don’t fuck it up. This is your chance to be happy. For once, think with your head and not your cock,” he says with a sneer, before punching my shoulder and walking off.
In some way, I think, he’s just given me his permission to pursue her. My old friend, who has been completely againstAmy’s and my relationship, is telling me to go for it. And by the sounds of it, she still wants me.
