“I’m proud of you, babe. Maintain your dignity and ignore the bitch.”
“That’s the plan.”
Ares tries to take my hand again, but I shake my head. I’m doing this my way, and I refuse to give Chad any more ammunition. He’s making a big mistake. Maybe if he sees I’m not reacting, he might come to his senses and kick her to the curb.
Ares walks by my side as I stride toward the exit. Julia sees me coming and says something to my ex. Chad grabs her boobs, and she giggles while I fight the roll of nausea creeping up my throat. Channeling my inner Harlow Westbrook, I walk confidently to the open doorway as Chad spins Julia around in his arms and throws her over his shoulder. His eyes are rolling back in his head when he turns to look at me. A smirk spreads over his lips as he smacks Julia’s ass and moves toward the stairs.
Pain besieges my body, thrashing me from all angles, but I keep a neutral expression on my face as I step into the hallway.
Chad slaps her ass again at the bottom of the stairs, and she squeals and moans, really putting on a show. I don’t look at them, walking toward the front door with my game face on and my shoulders back.
“Enjoy my sloppy seconds,” Chad shouts as my fingers curl around the door handle. I’m holding my breath and clinging to my sanity by my nails. I need to get out of here before I exhaust the last of my bravery supply.
“Oh, trust me, I plan to,” Ares retorts, and I want to smack him in the head.
Of course, he can’t follow the advice he dishes out.
“I’d say enjoy mine,” he adds, “but you’ll find out soon enough she can’t suck dick for shit.” Ares fondles my ass as I open the door, and I am going to murder him. “Unlike my dollface who sucks cock like a pro.”
I yank him out outside before he can do any more damage, slamming the door shut behind us. I glare at him as I rub my throbbing temples.
He arches a brow. “Don’t get mad at me for defending your honor.”
“You compared me to a prostitute in front of everyone!” I toss back.
“Porn star was more what I had in mind, and I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.” He shrugs.
I cling to the railing and attempt to hurry away from him. It’s challenging in these ridiculous heels, so I take them off and rush down the steps in my bare feet.
“Every guy knows that’s a compliment.”
“How the fuck would you know anyway? I haven’t sucked your dick.”
A sly smirk washes over his face. “Yet.”
“Dream on, asshole.”
His eyes fixate on my mouth. “One look at those cock-sucking lips, and a guy can just tell.” He adjusts his dick behind his jeans. “I’m already hard just imagining that mouth wrapped around my—"
“Just shut up, Ares.” I point my finger in his face. “This all started because of you. If you’d stayed home like I asked, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Bullshit.” Scooping me up, he carries me along the sidewalk toward our house.
“Put me down, you ass.” I beat on his chest, and I’m sorely tempted to poke his eye out with my spiky shoe.
“You’ll cut your feet. For once, let me do something nice for you.” He peers into my eyes, and I’m shocked at the sincerity I see radiating back at me. “Please let me take care of you,” he adds, lowering his tone.
I’m so shocked at how genuine he is that I stop fighting. I give him a curt nod before wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his chest. He smells nice, but it’s not how he smelled the night he pretended to be Jase.
Knowing Ares, he purposely wore Jase’s cologne to confuse me. He has a key to their place and could easily have snuck into Jase’s bedroom. I can’t even find it in me to be mad because I’m so sad. And the dedication he put into the whole ruse is begrudgingly admirable.
A strangled sob slips from my mouth as the weight of everything finally comes crashing down around me. I’m so tired of it all, and I’m so lost and lonely. I’m tired of blocking my feelings and acting strong all the time. Everything in my world has upended, and I’m scared of what my future holds now.
Ares cradles me closer as he wrestles with the key in the lock while silent tears pump out of my eyes.
The alarm pings when we enter, and he punches in the code before setting it on the nighttime setting. There is something so sweet about the way he is looking after me that loosens whatever remaining control I have over my emotions, and the dam breaks. I fall apart in his arms as he carries me up the stairs, sobbing against his chest as weeks of pent-up emotion break free.
I didn’t cry after I lost Jase and Chad. I bottled it up inside, knowing it would find an outlet at some point.
