Addicted

"No. He basically turned me down. I think. I don't know." I ran my fingers through my hair. "I guess he really just wanted a friend to talk to, and I felt a connection that seemed like more was happening between us. He was...I don't know. I'm done talking about it. I hit on him, and he shut me down. End of story."

I'd cried a few times over the situation simply due to the embarrassment of being the only woman on the island that wasn't capable of seducing the whore who slept with everyone. It was sickening to think that I'd tried. I'd tried, right?

"Hey, maybe you should just talk to him. Daniel said he's not doing so great hi

mself. Maybe it's just an odd misunderstanding." Dedra reached over and ran her hand down the back of my hair.

"I'm not worried about how he's doing, Dee. He denied me and left me feeling like a two-bit whore. Whatever was starting between us was in my head and it's over now. No biggie."

"It is a biggie," Emily barked. "I want to spend my summer with you and Clay, but that's not possible."

"Well, excuse the fuck outta me for messing up your love story." I pulled my legs up and stood as she started to back track.

"Cora. That's not-”

"Save it. I'm not interested. I've been cool about all this bullshit where you guys want to hang out with the same fucking friend group of guys every day and night. Cool. Have fun with it, but I'm not fitting into the mold of hooking up with the forth member of their group. He doesn't want me. I'm sorry that once again, I'm not enough." My voice broke as tears filled my eyes. I turned and jogged back toward the house, not wanting them or anyone else to see me upset.

I busted through the door to find Cindy and Derek on the couch dry humping.

Cindy jumped up. "I'm sorry. We should...oh hell. What's wrong?"

I lifted my hand and let out a soft sob as I shook my head. "I should have knocked."

She reached for me, but I moved to the side of her and walked to the bedroom.

"Cora! What's wrong?" She followed after me. "Hey, talk to me."

"I'm good. Just tired." I stopped at my door and wiped at my nose and eyes. "I'm good. Really. Don't keep Derek waiting. I just need sleep."

"You sure?" She pressed her hand against my door as I walked into the dark.

"Yeah, I'll be out later," I mumbled and pushed the door closed, locking it and leaving the light off as I dropped down into my bed.

How in the hell some dude I'd met a week ago had me wallowing in self-pity like I had with Brandon was beyond me. It was a clear indicator of two things. One, I'd yet to truly heal from Brandon cheating on me, and two, I didn't need a summer fling. They always ended before they began.

Much like this one.

*

The phone ringing just beside my head brought me from my nap. I reached over in the darkness and patted the bed beside me, grumbling at the idea of talking to anyone.

"Hello?" I turned onto my back and cleared my throat.

"Hi, Cora. It's Mom." Her voice was warm and friendly.

I jerked up. Wherever my mother was, my father was close behind her. She was his puppet, which meant that if she was calling... he wanted something.

"Hey, Mom. How's it going?" I wiped my eyes and stifled the need to yawn as I moved to the edge of the bed.

"It's good. Your father and I were talking about some upcoming casework we have that's really unprecedented. It would be a great opportunity for you to see some of these things, but of course, they're happening during your summer vacation that you have planned."

"Right." I got up and walked to the door to flip on the light switch. "Can't I study the cases after they're completed? It would be the same right?"

"Not really." She wasn't going to force me to come back early, but that's the way my lawyer parents did things. They slowly twisted your arm until you made the conscious decision to do what they wanted, making it your call and leaving their hands clean of the repercussions of your disappointment or anger.

"When are the trials, Mom?" I let out a short sigh, wishing that I could hold myself back from letting her know that their request was a pain in my ass.

"They're mid-July, baby. I understand if you don't want to come back early, we just thought this would be a great opportunity. You know your father is always watching out for what's best for your future. You're going to make lots of money once you're a full-fledged lawyer, and then you can take loads of trips to the lake all the time. Right?" She chuckled as if something she said was humorous.