Instead, something grabbed ahold of Jax the moment we entered the city, and it has yet to let go. He turned into someone I didn’t recognize. A man who lied, cheated, and had to have every ounce of control. He’d forgotten who he used to be, and this new version of him couldn’t give a damn what he was holding over my head. The one thing that was clear as day: any dream I had for my future would have to wait.
Walking away from a relationship like ours was supposed to be freeing. Yet, I was paying the price every single day, and all I ever did was love him.
Tears continued to flow, and thoughts of never being good enough echoed in my mind like a lullaby, drifting me to sleep.
Even if I wanted to be with a man like Spencer, I would never deserve him.
Coffee.I needed coffee.
After getting maybe four hours of sleep, I woke up, depleted my bank account, and sent every penny I had to Jax.
Everything except twenty dollars—brunch with my girls was necessary. And coffee? Even more so.
“Wow. You look like hell.” Andi and Peyton spoke at the same time as I set my purse on the bar and grabbed a seat.
“Can’t argue with them.” Colton winced, placing an ice water in front of me. “Hungover?” His eyes roamed over the bird’s nest of messy curls from the night before tied onto the top of my head.
“I wish that were the case. Hey, do you mind if we move from the bar to a booth where it’s a little more … private?” I asked.
“Sure thing, gorgeous. Just let me know what you want to eat and drink, and I can run it over to you when it’s ready.”
The three of us all ordered the same thing, making it easy—a traditional breakfast and coffee.
Still sick to my stomach from last night, I doubted I’d eat all my food anyway.
We sat around a booth, the same one Spencer and I had used to get to know each other over a couple of drinks, this time sipping on hot coffee instead of whiskey.
“Catch us up to speed, girl.” Squaring her shoulders, Andi placed her palms on the table.
Both of my friends looked at me with concern.
“Ugh. Where to start?” I took a sip of my coffee, relaxing my shoulders just a bit.
“Start with your run in with the stallion while you were working.” Peyton winked, reminding me of where our conversation left off last night.
They’d be in for a treat when they found out that just when I thought my night couldn’t get worse, it did. But this time, in an entirely different kind of way.
“My client hired me to go to this fancy gala. Turns out, he runs in the same circle as Spencer. Let me just tell you, when my client introduced me asSky, things got insanely awkward.”
Jaws dropped, eyes widened, and laughter filled the corner of the bar. The moment that felt like a travesty in the beginning of my night suddenly became lighter as I recalled the memories of what came later.
I shared each detail. From how he lingered around and waited for me to leave, then hopped into my cab, directing the driver to take us to his place. Each event that took place last night rolled off my tongue so easily compared to what I hadn’t yet told them.
How the rest of the night unfolded, and how I left his place when I felt his eyes gazing into mine—a kiss mere centimeters away.
Oh, how I wish I would have kissed him and endured the pain of not being able to have him in return for the visit from Jax last night.
Food was delivered and coffee had been refilled. Now, it was time to drop the bigger bomb.
“When I turned off my phone, I got an unexpected visit from Jax.”
My friends looked at each other then back at me.
“Him stopping by unannounced only reminded me of everything I’ve already known…” I swallowed before choking on the words that came next. “I definitely cannot entertain whatever the hell is going on between me and Spencer.” Gripping the porcelain cup, the heat calmed my shaky hands.
I needed to forget all about Spencer. Even if he was a hot as hell distraction and a glimmer of hope in the dark world I’d been living in. Work had to come first before I could entertain any kind of relationship that would last longer than one night.
Work. Make money. Pay off Jax.
