Dangerous Fling (Dangerous Noise 4)

He shakes his head. His eyes get sad. "I'm sorry. I thought this could be different. I thought I could be different."

"You are. You… you already are giving me everything, Mal."

"No."

Dammit, I still need my purse. I push past Mal and grab it off the counter. The stupid bra is still hanging on my wrist. I shove that into my purse and I turn back towards the door.

I stare into his eyes. "If you want to end this because you're scared it will hurt more later, fine. But don't pin it on anything else."

"Lacey—"

No. I can't take hearing my name on his lips anymore. Not when it comes with all the weight of regret.

All that longing, like he wishes he could love me.

I blink back another set of tears. "Unless your next words are going to be you're right, I love you, I don't want to hear it."

He opens the door and steps aside. "I'm sorry."

"I know." I move through the door as quickly as possible. "But that doesn't mean shit." I pull the door closed behind me.

There's my car. It only takes a few steps to get to it in the driveway next to Mal's car.

I reach for my keys but my hands are shaking too hard. I can barely grab the zipper of my purse.

I stare back at the door like there's a chance it's going to open.

But there's not.

Mal dumped me.

It's over.

He's not going to chase after me now.

I turn and walk the three blocks to the beach.

I sit and watch the waves pound the sand.

When I walk back to Mal's place, his car is gone, and there's a fucking note on my windshield.

Let me know you get home okay.

- Mal

I hate him for leaving a note.

I hate that he cares about me.

I hate that I think about him the entire drive home.

I especially hate that I text him.

Lacey: I'm home.

I call Carrie but get voice mail. "I… I'm not okay. Call when you get a chance."

I hang up the phone.