“Then maybe you shouldn’t parade around two different parties with two different women back-to-back,” I offer. Because why not? I never learned how to not be a smart-ass. It comes naturally.
His eyes go to mine, and he scoffs. “Maybe you should keep your legs closed.”
Tatum gasps and slaps him across the face. Billy bumps his chest into hers, and I shove him away from her.
“Guys. Guys. Calm down.” Mitch intervenes, pulling Billy away from us.
“I don’t know what this looks like, but—”
“What it looks like is you’re cheating on me,” Tatum interrupts Billy.
Cheryl throws her hands up in the air and all but runs out of the kitchen. I’m surprised when Billy doesn’t go after her.
“Babe.” He pushes off Mitch and walks over to her. “I love you. I’m with you. Why would I be with her?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “You really expect me to believe that shit?” Shaking her head, she adds, “I’m done,” and goes to walk off, but he grabs her hand, pulling her to a stop.
“Please?” he begs. “Just let me take you home. We can talk.” He lifts his eyes and looks around the room for I don’t know what before they fall back to hers. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I’ll show you my phone.”
I don’t like how he said he’ll tell her anything she wants to know instead of everything. It saves him from having to tell on himself. One of those, if you don’t ask, you don’t need to know situations. His way of controlling what he tells her. Rolling my eyes, I say, “Texts and pictures can be deleted.”
He ignores me. “Please, babe? I’m begging you. Just give me this.”
“You don’t owe him anything,” I tell her.
She hangs her head, and I know I’ve lost. She’s getting ready to leave with him, but I get it. This is Colt and me. Back and forth. Every fucking day. It’s literally the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. I have bruises and scars to prove it. Some of us will choose stupidity over rational thought when it comes to good dick.
“It’s okay. I’ll be fine,” I tell her, placing my hand on her shoulder. I won’t make her feel guilty if she wants to leave with him tonight. She deserves answers. Even if she finds out they’re lies two months down the road.
She lifts her head and narrows her eyes on him. “I’ll only leave with you if you apologize to Raylee.”
“Oh, that’s not—”
“I’m sorry.” He looks my way, interrupting me. “I shouldn’t have said that. That was uncalled for, and I’m sorry.”
You could hear a pin drop. There isn’t even any music playing in the background. Just an awkward silence. And all eyes are on us. I nod once. “Thank you.” I’m not apologizing for what I said to him because that was the truth. Don’t want to get caught cheating? Don’t flaunt your side bitch around.
He holds his hand out to her, and she takes a step back. “I’ll meet you out in the car. I need a second with Raylee.”
He nods and turns, walking out of the kitchen, and hushed voices start back up again while “vicious” by Tate McRae starts to play. She turns to face me. “I’m so sorry, but—”
“Hey, don’t apologize.” I wave her off. “I just hope you keep an open mind. Don’t let him gaslight you. Don’t let him talk you back into a relationship until he tells you everything.”
“I won’t. Promise.” She pulls me in for a hug. “Love you, Ray.” And then she too is leaving the party.
I make my way back over to the bar where Mitch is now standing again. He hands me another drink. “I made this one stronger.”
“Thanks,” I mumble. I’m already starting to feel those two shots and the last drink I had.
“You can hang with me,” he offers.
“Sounds good.” I’ll leave after this. Not like there’s anyone else here who I want to visit with. I’ll finish this drink, get an Uber, and then go home and take a nice hot bath before locking myself in my room. Maybe watch a movie on Netflix. I’ll have Tatum bring me back to get my car in the morning.
“Ray? May I speak to you?”
The cup pauses halfway to my mouth when I hear his voice behind me. Mitch looks over my shoulder and then back at me, frowning.
I sigh and turn around to face Nate. “There’s nothing to say,” I inform him.
I understand that others won’t agree with what I like. Or what I want. But fuck him. He made me feel ashamed of what I like, and that’s unacceptable. “Thanks for the drinks, Mitch,” I say and walk off.
“Anytime,” he calls out.
I’m making my way through the living room when someone grabs my arm and yanks me to a stop. “Fuck.” I hiss, trying not to spill my drink at the motion.