Was that what I was?Second choice?If she couldn’t have Edge, she’d settle for me?
“So, what do you say?”she taunted, obviously unaware of the pain that lanced me, splitting me open with the revelation.“He’s backing out.Looks like you’re up.”
I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then backed out of the room, picking up my clothes as I went.
“Wait!Cav, I’m sorry.I didn’t—”
“No.”I pulled on my pants, my shirt.I took the time to pull on my shoes, stuffed my socks in my pockets.“I heard you loud and clear.”
“Cav, please…” Her soft sob almost broke me, but her previous statement had already done that.
With one backward glance at her, I grabbed my jacket and walked right out the door.
CHAPTER 17
EDGE
The door slammed, followed by Jamie’s brokensob.
I dropped onto the bed, stared up at the ceiling.
I’d fucked it all up.
I’d seen it on Cav’s face the instant I mentioned I’d purposely not brought condoms.He’d been ready to take this to the next level.Like I’d told them, that hadn’t been my plan.
It had seemed rational when I’d come up with it before leaving my apartment tonight.I’d gone so far as to grab several condoms, only to put them back with a frustrated sigh.
It was my only way of ensuring nothing happened that I wasn’t ready for.
“Jamie?”I called out.
Her sobs intensified from the other room.
With a heavy sigh, I got to my feet, found my pants.As I pulled them on, I walked into the other room.She was curled up on the sofa, her head on her knees, arms banded around her legs as though she was holding herself together.
“I’m sorry,” I admitted, although I wasn’t quite sure what for.
For not bringing condoms or for letting her down.
Her head lifted from between her hands.“You’re sorry?”
Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say.
She got to her feet, her anger renewed.“Why, Edge?Whyare you sorry?”
I didn’t respond.It was rhetorical.Wasn’t it?
Jamie moved toward me, slowly, carefully.“What did you plan for tonight, huh?What exactly were your intentions when you brought us here?You booked the room, right?”
“I did, yes.”
“For what reason?So you didn’t have to drive home?”She held up her hand before I could respond.“So all this was for nothing?You wanted to get me up here, to what, Edge?Help me understand your intentions.We’ve been doing this for weeks now.Every time I think we’re getting closer to … you know … you put up a wall, change the plan.”
“I haven’t changed anything,” I clarified.“It’s never been the plan.”
The shock on her face was instant, as though I’d slapped her.
“Yourplan,” she shouted.“It’s never beenyourplan to…”
