When You Were Mine (Second Chances 2)

“It was a long weekend,” Cora agreed.

A few minutes later they were headed out to his car in silence. He was in a shitty mood. He’d been thinking about the encounter with Bryce outside of her office all morning. All desire to punch the guy in the face aside for what he had done to Cora, there was something about the man that rubbed Jamie the wrong way.

It was jealousy, he realized. Pure and simple. He fucking hated the fact he wasn’t able to protect Cora. Physically, sure. The restraining order thing had really been bothering him. As much as he’d been grateful that Bryce had pushed through the order of protection, Jamie hated that he hadn’t been able to give her that peace of mind.

They drove back to her place in complete silence. Cora had all but given up trying to make conversation. He would just apologize, drop her off and go beat the hell out of a speed bag at the gym. Maybe that would help him work this stupid anger out of his system.

When he walked her to her door, he said, “I’m beat. I’m just gonna hit the gym and then head home, okay?”

Cora studied him for a minute and asked, “How about we talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you first.”

Jamie rubbed a hand through his hair and said, “Nothing’s wrong, baby. I’m just tired.”

Cora opened her door and stepped inside. When she turned to face him, disbelief was written all over her face. She said, “Sure thing.”

“Don’t do that,” he said, following her inside.

“Do what?” she asked.

“Get pissed at me for leaving,” he said, feeling bone-tired.

“I’m not mad that you’re going, Jamie. You’re a grown man. Do what you like. I’m annoyed because you’re lying to me. That’s entirely different.”

“Ya know what?” he said, deliberately keeping his voice calm. “I don’t wanna fight. I’m just gonna get going.”

“Do what you’ve gotta do,” Cora snapped back at him.

He watched as she tossed her purse and jacket onto the couch, then walked into the kitchen. He swiped a hand through his hair, more frustrated now than ever. That, he acknowledged, had not gone well.

He moved into the kitchen and watched as she calmly made herself a salad, and then asked, “Are you just not talking to me now, Cora? Is that it?”

“I left the room because you said you wanted to go. I’m hungry and now I’m pissed off. Just go if you’re going to go.”

“Pissed off? What did I do?”

“How you don’t collapse under the weight of the irony is beyond me. Two weeks ago you made me feel like shit because I was scared and didn’t know how to talk to you about it and now here we are. Clearly you’re upset about something or other. Yet you point-blank lied to my face about it. If you want space to work through it, then tell me. That’s fine. At least be honest with me about it, though.”

He winced, realizing she was right.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” he said, trying to explain. “I’m angry and it’s stupid, Cora. Completely fucking irrational.”

“So,” she countered.

“Your ex,” Jamie said, rubbing his eyes and wishing he could be just about anywhere else but here, having this conversation.

“This is about Bryce,” Cora asked, confused.

“Yes. I told you it was irrational. As much as I appreciate him coming through on the restraining order, I fucking hate that he had to do it for you,” Jamie confessed.

“This is about a stupid fucking piece of paper?”

“The fact that I’m even remotely jealous of that prick really bugs me.”

“Jealous?”

“Yeah. Jealous. I don’t like that he did something for you that I couldn’t. I told you it was irrational. I’m angry for no real reason, and I get that. I’m frustrated and there’s this part of me just wants to drag you into the bedroom then fuck you until there’s no way you can forget who you belong to. I know—”

“Wait a minute,” Cora said, holding up a hand to stop him. An eyebrow raised, she asked, “Who I belong to?”