This girl is my kryptonite. And once people find out, I’m as good as dead.
“Well, speaking of chicks, man, you’re never gonna guess who I ran into the other day.” I cock my head back at Kip.
Change of subject. Thank God. “Oh, please don’t keep me waiting. The suspense is killing me.” I take a deep swig of my beer and bring my eyes to the TV.
“Caroline.”
I choke on my beer. I twist around. “Where?” That scheming bitch hasn’t been back home in years.
“I was at the store getting some diapers and saw her. She looks the same. She asked about you. Told me to tell you hello for her.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and fight back the explicit thoughts wanting to spew out of my mouth. “Yeah, sure.” I turn back toward the TV, this time not making eye contact with Ben. Ben is the only one who truly knows what happened between us. Only because I threatened his life if he ever made it public knowledge that I’d been played and broken. Not to mention he saw me cry. If it weren’t for his support, my life could have taken a darker turn. I started drinking heavily. Not that drinking wasn’t already a sport of mine, but I got ugly about it. That little switch in my brain that controlled my empathy and caring for women shut off. The only thing I cared about was getting revenge. By doing that, I slept with every random chick and left them high and dry. Just like she’d done to me. Too bad it never made me feel any better. The pain of her betrayal never lessened. The anger. I swore I would never let another female fool me. It’s why I dropped out of school after only two years, came home, found a job in construction to support my “fuck it” lifestyle, and never left.
“What’s with the snarl? Thought you two ended on amicable terms?” Levi asks.
Another swig. “We did. A lifetime ago.”
“Man, I remember you two. Always hot and heavy whenever we were all home from college. What’d you really do to mess that one up?” Kip jokes.
I clench my hand so hard around my beer, the glass threatens to shatter.
“Caroline? You two must have been high,” Ben chimes in. “That chick had some weird ass fetishes. Like animal fetishes. Thank God he broke it off with her.”
Ben looks my way and raises his beer. “Glad that bitch is gone.”
I raise mine as a secret thank you.
“Damn, who knew. She’s still hot, though. Maybe you two should get together. This day and age, fetishes are the new—”
I shoot up from the couch, startling everyone. “Gotta take a piss. Don’t go knitting too many purses while I’m gone.” I strut down the hallway, holding in the anger I hide so well when it comes to her. Why the hell is she back? It doesn’t matter. She knows to stay far away from me.
I pull my phone out, needing the sound of Bridget’s voice to calm me. When I dial her number, it rings a few times before I’m sent to voicemail.
Chapter 14
Bridget
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” I chant down the dimly lit hall of the Brooks’ estate. More like a fortress. “I’m coming to find you!” I call to Anna as she hides. We’ve been at it for over an hour, and I’m feeling defeated. Door after door, I jiggle the handle and peek inside. I will never understand the need to have such a large house when only two people live in it.
Another door, another failed attempt at finding her. “Where the heck is she?” I mutter to myself as I make my way down the never-ending hallway. I should have laid down boundaries before I agreed to this. For starters, only hide on the main floor. “Okay, you win. Come out now.” It’s close to dinner. The last thing I need is for Jonathon to come home and for me to have no idea where his daughter is.
My back pocket buzzes. I pull my phone out to see Chase’s name across the screen. I hesitate for a moment, then decline his call.
Ignoring him won’t make it go away. I’m not ignoring him. I’m just trying to figure things out. For starters, how not to feel guilty for finding happiness again. I can’t get the hateful words from yesterday out of my mind. Seeing Mrs. Taylor rattled up too many old emotions. So much hidden pain. So many broken promises.
Chase made me forget those promises. His own affection filled those empty spaces. His smile and laugh made me believe it was okay to feel again.
Until I saw her.
Every hateful word she spewed was true. It was my fault her son was gone. She’s right to blame me for her pain. If Jax was still alive, maybe he would have gotten her the help she needed. While she continues to suffer, here I am moving on and forgetting my promises. Playing coy with a guy I carelessly let inside my heart, allowing him to see a side of me that truly wasn’t available. I made a commitment to him I can’t keep.