Kaleb stands next to Frank and June, chatting as he points to the house. It could be hours before he’s ready to leave. So much for my grand exit.
My shoes hit the sidewalk with more force. The fucking liar. What did he hope to get out of lying about not having sex in nearly three years? Was he hoping I’d fall for it and give him a lackluster blow job?
The reason doesn’t matter. Men like Jake are always on the prowl, looking for an easy mark. The way he leaned into her. The way he stared into her eyes with her hand on his chest. I was seconds away from falling for his lies. From falling for him.
Okay. I wouldn’t have screwed him inside my mom’s house. I’m not an eighteen-year-old kid sneaking around, but if he’d have asked, I’d have taken him to my apartment.
Fool. Tears sting my eyes as I open Jake’s car door with such force that I pull a muscle in my shoulder. Fuck. Pain races down my arm and along my chest.
He would’ve taken what he wanted and walked out the door the second he got off.
What’s wrong with me? I know Jake. How did I let him charm me into thinking he’d changed, and that he thought I was someone special? Now, he’s going to tell Amanda exactly what she wants to hear, and then some other woman he sees tomorrow night.
Kaleb remains chatting with Frank and June as Amanda lays her hand on Jake’s bicep and flutters her eyelashes. Even though he’s not leaning into her, he continues to listen to whatever she’s saying.
God, I hate girls like her. The kind of girl who feels the need to put other women down to boost herself up. It’s disgusting. What’s wrong with fixing the crown of other women, rather than knocking their tiara off?
The housefire is out, but the one raging inside of me is about to burn everything down. Against my better judgment, I look at them again. Jake has his hand clasped around her fingers. I’m going to vomit.
“Hey, Em.” Someone rests a hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump and scream. My heart races in my chest as I spin around.
Bella’s hand drops to her side as she gives me a weak smile. “Hey.”
“Jesus, you scared me.” The halfhearted chuckle sounds forced even to my own ears.
“A little jumpy, are we?” She arches her eyebrows.
“I guess.” I glance over her shoulder to the vehicles lining the streets as several residents climb inside and turn on their engines. Now that the danger is over, most people will head home to resume their regularly scheduled evenings.
“How did you get here? I saw your car at your mom’s place on my way here.”
“Jake drove me.” My jaw is tight as I respond to her question. “Don’t ask.”
“Why–”
“I said, don’t ask.” I glare at her. “Where’s your car?”
“Over there.” She points with her thumb over her shoulder.
“Let’s go.” I stomp two steps, and when I don’t feel her presence behind me, I whip around. Bella stands on the sidewalk with her hands on her hips while tapping the toe of her shoe on the cement.
“What’s up with you? I was going to check with the ladies to see what the plan is for helping clean and collect donations.”
“Rosemarie is in charge. We can call her when we get to my mom’s place.”
“We can talk to her now.”
Amanda tosses her hair over her shoulder as she turns away from Jake and sways her ass with each step away from him. At least they aren’t riding together to go hook up.
Why would they? It’s not like one of them wants to drive back to a fire scene in the middle of the night to drop the other one off after screwing for hours.
“No, we can’t.” Jake takes a step towards me with a determined expression on his face. I’m not talking to him. At least not until I get control of my emotions. “If you don’t get into your car now, I’m going to steal it.”
“Jesus, you’re so dramatic.” Bella speedwalks past me. “I’ll drive, but you’d better bet your butt that you’re telling me what’s wrong with you. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Fine.” I round the back of her car and grasp the door handle.
“Emily!” Jake calls from the sidewalk.
