Still Jaded (Jaded 2)

It was why I ordered it built in the first place. "Thanks, Hoodum."

He nodded and then patted my shoulder as if giving me encouragement. When he left, Corrigan followed. I went through the house as they talked and saw the changes everyone had done. It was like no one had trashed my place in the first place. It was eerie, especially when I saw some things were gone. Some bottles that I'd put in a showcase were gone. Either someone had stolen them or they'd been trashed. A ceramic vase that I'd gotten at a garage sale was gone. Other items, such as photographs, weren't on the wall. There'd been a painting that Bryce had bought me. The space seemed so empty where it had been hung before.

"The guys said a lot of your stuff got trashed. I'm sorry. I know you liked that painting." Corrigan said from behind me as he laid a hand on my arm.

I looked at his hand. "I left my car at the hotel. I was staying at the Wilshire."

Corrigan removed his hand and nodded. "I left my car here from before. I'll get one of the guys to help me bring it back. You'll be okay till then?"

I nodded.

"Or did you want to come with me to the house? You could hang out…"

"No." I didn't want to be around people on a normal basis. Breaking up with Bryce wasn't going to change that.

"You know, I could stay here. I'll get the car tomorrow. We can watch movies; get a buzz on, whatever."

I took his hand and squeezed. "I'll be fine. Really."

Corrigan smiled and brushed his hand against my cheek. "I'll get your car tomorrow, but I am going to run to the house and get some of my stuff. I'll stay here with you for awhile."

I let loose a breath. That sounded great to me. Then I wiped away a tear. "Okay."

Corrigan kissed my forehead before he left. When he did, the door shut and the sound seemed to echo everywhere. Though he shut it gently, it was the loudest I'd ever heard a door close. Then I glanced around and hugged myself. I was scared to be in my own home.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It wasn't long before my phone started lighting up. Either Corrigan told someone that I was back, or Hoodum leaked it to his guys who said something at a bar. It didn't matter. I knew word would get out eventually. I was surprised that more people hadn't called and asked where I was, but then I realized that someone must've said I was out of town and not to be bothered. Even Grace hadn't called, but considering our last exchange, I shouldn't have been surprised.

When the bell at the gate sounded, Leah was the last person that I would've expected. I pressed the 'talk' button. "Are you looking for Corrigan?"

"I'm looking for you. Corrigan showed up at the house, so I figured you'd be back. Can I come in?" She looked nervous.

I hit the access button and noted where Hoodum said the panic buttons were. There was one underneath every table and counter. He was right. They were placed all over my house, but I didn't think Leah was someone I needed to fear. When she got to the front door, I opened it and stepped back as she came in. She ran a hand through her wet hair and grinned ruefully. "Sorry. It was raining when I came over. Did you notice? It stopped a little bit ago, but it was downpour for a few minutes. Stupid me got caught in it."

I watched her for another minute and then asked, "What are you doing here?"

Leah's eyebrows shot up as she raked her fingers through her hair. She tried to straighten it. "I don't have an agenda if that's what you mean. I came over because the last time I was here you mentioned getting back at Cadence. Are you changing your mind?"

Oh. Right. Cadence.

I grinned. "I'd forgotten all about her. Sorry. Yes, I'm still planning on getting her back."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure you're okay? I know we're not best friends, but…I know when someone's got something on their mind. I might be a bit of a whore, but I can be a good sounding board. Promise."

"You said it. Not me." Then I bit my lip and regretted my words instantly. "Sorry."

She shrugged. "It's true. You first met me when I was naked in a roomful of guys. I understand it. Hell, I am it. Or I was. I've been thinking a lot since you've been gone. I'm going to stop sleeping around. It's wrong. It…" She looked away as she hesitated.

I was detached from myself when I murmured, "It cheapens you. You can't force someone to respect you. You can't take it from them. You have to earn it to receive it, and I know that you only want their respect. You don't want them to just accept you. They accept dogs. Screwing them won't make them respect you. It'll make them look down on you. If you're lucky, you might get a treat afterwards. You're more than a pet."

She sucked in her breath and closed her eyes.

I knew my words stung, but they were true. People might've wanted to call me a whore, but I wasn't. I slept with two men in my life, and I loved one of them. No one would ever consider me his dog. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm…hell. I'm always this bitchy. If you can't handle the truth, or what I see as the truth, you might not want to hang out with me. I'm starting to realize that only strong people can handle me, or people with thick skin."

Leah shook her head and wiped a tear away. She tried to smile. "No. No. It's…you're right. It's just hard to hear when it's put like that. I'm…I care about those guys. I really do, but you're right. I just… How do you get people to respect you?"

"You fight for it." It was plain as day for me. No one respected someone who accepted less than the truth. "If people treat you like shit, you treat them like shit right back. They won't like it, but they'll respect it. It's a lonely road." Although, truth be told, I enjoyed being alone. Life was much clearer.

My gate buzzed again, and I cursed. "When did this become a social gathering?" Then I remembered it could be Corrigan and relaxed, but it wasn't him. I rolled my eyes when I saw who it was. As soon their feet hit the patio, I swung open the door and plastered a fake smile on. Grace faltered in her steps, but Cadence puffed up even more. She moved to hug me and gushed, "You poor thing! You've been through so much."

I stood stiff in her embrace, but it didn't deter her. She gestured towards the pans that Grace held. "The girls wanted to bring you a little something to help. We know you tend to forget to eat sometimes, that's what Corrigan mentioned, so we brought ready-made meals. I hope they help!" She plopped them in my arms and sauntered through the door. Grace held back and studied me for a moment. Her eyes were fearful, but there was something else in there. Maybe remorse? Remorse for what?

I asked, "What are you doing here?"

Grace looked down. "We came to see how you were. I heard you were back in town."

"Did Corrigan call you?"

She shook her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her hair. She always did that when she was nervous. "One of the fraternity guys is dating Sofia, one of our sisters. He said Corrigan was back so we figured you were back."

"No, Grace. What are you doing here?" I stepped closer. I wanted to see her eyes.

She glanced away. "You're my friend."

"No, I'm not." I grabbed her chin and turned it to me. I was forceful when I said, "We are not friends. I no longer trust you. You're one of them and they want to screw with me. So now you want to screw with me. You know what I do to people like that, right? You should remember from high school."

She paled, but she never argued. That damned her so much.

"This is your

only warning. As soon as I march in there, all bets are off. Cadence doesn't know what she unleashed when she played with me. And I am pissed off right now. I am hurting, and I am furious. My perfect target just waltzed in here. I cared about you. I really did. I was the best friend that you'll ever have, but you gave it up. You threw me away because you don't know who to trust or who to turn to. You turned to the wrong people."