I stand in front of his door, praying he’s home so I don’t have to go searching for him. I knock rapidly, and it takes only a few seconds for the door to open. Time seems to stand still as Tori Langston stands before me in only her green lace bra and matching panties.
“Wh… what are you doing here?” I whisper as I blink back the tears that are threatening to spill.
She smiles like the Cheshire Cat and folds her arms beneath her chest, causing her boobs to almost spill out of her bra. “You know exactly what I’ve been doing here, sweet little Alyson.”
“Where’s Gavin?” I look around her, my vision blurring as I see her clothes littering the floor, making a trail around the corner to where his bedroom is.
“He’s taking a shower,” she purrs and bites her lip, making me want to throw up all over her.
“He wouldn’t.” I shake my head at her, not believing he would throw away what we have and return to this vile woman.
“It was just a matter of time that he and I were going to be back together. Did you really think he was going to settle for a little girl when he can have a real woman?” She snickers as she looks me up and down in disgust. Tiny knives start puncturing my heart, my body shaking in anger, hurt, and betrayal. My chest feels like it’s about to explode, and I can’t stand to look at her anymore. Without saying a word, I bolt for the nearest exit and run down the stairs.
“No, no, no!” I scream in the stairwell, not caring if anyone hears me. I finally reach the first floor and pull open the door. I run through the lobby to the glass doors, ignoring the doorman, who calls after me in concern. I get outside and run across the street to my car, horns blaring, as I don’t even watch where I’m going and almost get hit by a car. I reach my car and fumble in my purse for my keys but can’t find them through the tears that are blocking my vision.
“Aly? Aly, are you okay?” I hear Sosie’s voice and look up to see her running toward me. I yank open my door and shut it just as she arrives. “Aly, what’s going on? Aly! Roll down your window and talk to me,” she pleads with me while banging on the window.
I start the engine and roll down the window, gasping for air as I try to breathe through my heartache. “Gavin… and… Tori,” I stutter out before a fresh wave of tears assaults me.
“What? No!” Understanding enters her eyes and she shakes her head in denial. “He wouldn’t!” she says in disbelief.
“Looks like he did,” I whisper, my heart in agony at how much this hurts. Needing solitude, I roll up my window and briefly glance up to see Sosie running toward Gavin’s building. Feeling numb, I put the car in reverse, back out, and get the hell out of there.
Chapter Seventeen
GAVIN
I CLOSE MY eyes and tilt my head back, the lukewarm water from the shower washing over me. I’ve been in here for a while, replaying what transpired with Aly over and over in my head. After I left her house, I mindlessly drove around town until I came back here and decided a shower might help clear my mind.
Seeing her cry and beg me to trust her shredded my heart, and I keep trying to think what I would’ve done if I were in her shoes. I would’ve fucking said something right away, but I’ve come to understand Aly’s point of why she didn’t tell me at first. From the beginning, Aly has been interested in getting to know me as a person, not Gavin McNeer, the country music singer, and her actions have always proven that. She’s never inserted herself into my career and has always been supportive. When I need her, she’s there for me. It has always been me who would talk business, not her. Since day one, Aly’s been with me for the right reasons.
“Shit,” I mumble, realizing I’ve completely fucked up. I stretch my arms out in front of me against the tile wall of the shower and hang my head down, trying to come up with a plan to prove to her that I do trust her.
Once I’m done with my shower, I’ll call Aly and see if she can meet me. I need to reassure her that we’re going to be okay. This is our first argument, and I’m sure it won’t be our last, but what I do know is I won’t let this break us. Even though this situation is going to make seeing Kathleen Davidson very awkward from now on, but I’ll do it for Aly.