I honestly have no answer to that question. Not one that would do it any justice anyway. My blind rage, broken heart, and wounded pride kept me from hearing her out or believing one word she said. Like a vicious circle, my mind keeps bringing me back to the proof in hand. The hype that has been building between them, the way Travis looks at her when he thinks no one sees, and the common goals they have all feed into one conclusion.
She simply didn’t want to part on these terms.
Brandon and I talk for another hour or so, and he lends his brotherly wisdom before we hang up.
“Don’t be a dickhead, Luke. You’re not fooling me at all. You love her, and your heart knows something is off. Figure it out. You know her, man.”
Staring at my phone, I consider calling Andi back to talk through this. Then her final words to me echo through my mind and I decide against it.“I’ll mail your ring to you.”
* * *
One dayafter another comes and goes and the thoughts of Andi have stayed with me. I don’t know why I can’t just fucking forget her, but there it is. I can’t do it. Her words haunt me day and night, asking me to trust her and not what I see.
I’m walking down the Strip in Vegas, and somehow I’ve tuned out everything and everyone else. Lost in my own world, I don’t feel Syndi move up beside me until she takes my hand in hers. Jerking my head to the side, I see her bright smile and can’t help but smile back at her.
“Scared you, didn’t I?” she jokes.
“I didn’t hear you come up beside me,” I admit. “How’d you sneak up on me?”
“It’s not hardly sneaking when I call your name ten times and you keep walking, ignoring me,” she laughs.
“Did I do that? Sorry. Not paying attention, I guess,” I say absently.
“Still thinking about Andi?” she asks, her smile fading.
“Yeah. I am. I apparently can’t just turn off my feelings like I thought I could.”
“Being alone makes it worse, Luke. You need to be around people, have a good time, enjoy the company of someone else,” she suggests.
“Maybe you’re right. My way definitely isn’t working.”
“So, does that mean you’ll consider spending time with me?” she asks sweetly.
“Sure,” I hear myself reply. I’m not sure where that came from, but I’m ready to get rid of this pain in my chest. One way or another, I will get over Andi Morgan.
“That makes me so happy, Luke!” she exclaims and wraps her arms around my neck.
My arms go around her waist as we hug each other, right here on the Strip in front of everyone. She pulls back slightly and places a soft kiss on my lips. I’m shocked at first and instantly feel guilty for cheating on Andi before I realize I’m not cheating on her. We split up, and I haven’t heard from her since.
When Syndi’s lips find mine again, I gently push her away. “We have to work together, Syndi. I’m not sure this is the best idea.”
It’s not the best idea at all. But part of me wants to take her back to my hotel room and fuck her until I forget about Andi. I’m beginning to think that’s the only way it’ll ever happen, and I’m not even convinced that’ll do it. Andi moved into a part of my heart that no one has ever occupied before. I seriously doubt anyone else ever will.
“Let’s go to my hotel and have some dinner,” I suggest and she readily agrees.
As we’re walking briskly through the lobby toward the restaurant, one of the desk clerks gets my attention.
“Mr. Woods, this package arrived for you today,” she calls out.
“Thank you,” I say as I take it from her. Tearing open the padded envelope as Syndi and I continue walking, I hold my hand out and dump the contents into it.
The heart pendant that was part of my Christmas present from Andi is the first item out of the package. My world stops when her engagement ring drops into my palm. Closing my fingers around the sentimental tokens, I bring my fist to my forehead. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to block the pain that shoots across my chest. It doesn’t work. It doesn’t even help in the least.
There’s only one thing I can get lost in now, and she’s standing right beside me. My head is screaming “Fuck it”while my heart is screaming “Don’t do it.” My head wins this battle.
Grabbing her hand, I pull her into the open elevator without asking, without telling, without even sparing her a glance. I’d never admit this aloud, but I’m afraid if I look at her, I’ll see Andi’s face instead. Angrily, I push the button for my floor before turning toward Syndi.
Pushing her against the wall without warning, I crush my mouth to hers and take full control of the kiss. As I forcefully brush my tongue against the part in her lips, her body instantly becomes pliable under my hands. Her lips part with a soft moan, and I slide my tongue inside her mouth. Her nails scrape along my scalp as she runs her fingers through my hair.
Moving my hands down, I cup her ass cheeks and press against her tighter. When we break the kiss, her eyes are hooded, her chest is heaving with increased respirations, and her lips are slightly swollen from our public display of affection.
“I think we need to take this somewhere a little more private right now,” she whispers seductively.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I growl as the elevator doors open. I take her hand and half drag her to my room.
“Hope you don’t have to be anywhere tonight,” I state matter-of-factly.
Her answering smile irks me. Andi would’ve put me in my place for saying that to her.
