If I’m being completely honest, I would’ve hated her just for being with Wylder. But it helps to know she’s also a bitch. Makes hating her feel a little more justified.
Oh, who am I kidding? I’d hate her anyway.
“I just think you should give it a chance,” Kyle whines. “You’d like it if you tried it.”
“I have tried it, remember? Several times.” He pouts, and I roll my eyes. “Fine, I guess I can give it a go again if it’ll make you happy.”
Happy is too high an aim with this butthead, but he stops sulking, which I’ll take as a win. Honestly, I really need to quit this relationship, and soon. The sex isn’t good and his company is worse. Ansel can’t stand him, and I’m pretty sure Cade has threatened to murder him a time or two.
Given what Cade does for a living, it’s a threat he would be all too delighted to bring to life.
Kyle doesn’t deserve that. I mean, he’s a dick, but not worth Cade’s attention.
The check comes, and Kyle suddenly finds his phone very interesting. I pull it toward me with a sigh. I’m doing that so much lately that I’m starting to sound like Wylder.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect my dates to pay for me. But it’s been several months now, and Kyle hasn’t paid once.
Not one single time.
So, why do I stay?
Well, I do like to blame my childhood trauma for everything, but in this case, it’s valid. When you grow up with nothing, you tend to get possessive of the things you do have. You cling to them, even when it’s way past time to let go.
That’s one reason…but mainly it’s because of Wylder.
I’m not an idiot. I see how his brothers watch us. The way theysmirk when they see us interact. I’ve even caught Ansel whispering to Cade about a betting pool.
Joke’s on them, though. Wylder wouldn’t ever look twice at me, even if he were gay.
He’s made that damn fucking clear.
I try not to let it bother me. It’s not like anyone’s ever truly wanted or loved me, aside from Ansel.
It’s no surprise that Wylder doesn’t want me either. Why change the habit of a lifetime?
I pretend it doesn’t hurt, but it does. Why the fuck am I always attracted to the unavailable ones? The ones who don’t, and never will, like me back?
If that mystery ever gets solved, I might die of shock.
As soon as the check is paid, with a hefty tip for the waiter who had to put up with Kyle’s rudeness and immaturity, we exit the restaurant. He immediately starts to talk about his stupid fucking game again.
I tune him out. It’s not that I don’t like gaming; I love it.
But not that one.
Annoyance pricks at me as I trail after him. Why does he insist on walking six feet in front of me all the time? He always seems to forget I have shorter legs. I gave up rushing to keep up with him weeks ago, and he still hasn’t noticed.
Yeah, I really need to break it off.
My mind wanders to the little surprise I left in Wylder’s bed. It cost far more than I’ve ever spent on lingerie before, but he’s worth it. A man of good taste. He’d prefer me in the good stuff.
If he did, in fact, prefer me at all.
Fucking with him like this isn’t healthy, but I just can’t help myself. Wylder likes to pretend that he’s cool, calm, and collected at all times, but it’s bullshit. I can see it in his eyes. His emotions are buried deep, but they’re there, just waiting to break free.
I want to be the one to do it.
The lingerie might be the thing that sends him over the edge. Ididn’t want him to think it was from Candace, so I left a little note explaining what I’d done in it the night before.
