Only Him (Only One 1)

Gemma and I move toward the door as Robert follows us, begging her to stay like a little bitch. He continues to mutter Gemma’s name under his breath as the exit of the restaurant comes into view. Once we’re outside, he cries for her to stop. Gemma sucks in a deep breath and breaks away from my hold.

“I have to talk to him,” she whispers.

I plead with my eyes not to give in to him, but she does, though she keeps her distance.

“Honestly, I didn’t know,” he says again. “You have to believe me.”

Watching with my arms crossed, I’m ready to pounce if he lays a hand on her.

“Maybe you didn’t, but as you mentioned before, there’s zero trust between us. I don’t think I can believe anything you say anymore, Robert. Not that it matters since we’re no longer together.”

He acts as if she slapped him in the face, but Gemma continues. “She’s dangerous. And if you’re as smart as you claim to be, you’ll walk away from her and that deal now before she turns on you, too.”

Robert opens his mouth, then shuts it. “I’m not scared of her…” His eyes snap to me. “Or you.”

Gemma shrugs. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m leaving.”

“You’re not going anywhere. You agreed to have dinner with me tonight. We have other things to discuss.” Robert growls.

He must have a death wish if he’s talking to her that way.

“No.” She doesn’t explain herself and takes the ring off her finger. She steps closer, then hands it to him.

“If you go, you’ll be sorry,” he threatens, studying the diamond he thought would be enough to make her happy.

Gemma shakes her head, and when she’s next to me, she smiles. “Ready?”

“This isn’t fucking over, Gemma!” Robert yells from behind us.

She looks over her shoulder. “Go to hell, Robert. And take Victoria with you.”

I can’t wipe off my smug grin as we walk to her car. I grab her keys and offer to drive. Once I unlock the doors and we’re inside, I notice her breaths are ragged. When our eyes meet, sadness is in her expression.

“I’m so sorry you had to see her, Tyler.”

“It’s not your fault. Victoria is a sneaky bitch and lives for drama,” I explain.

“Is she why you went to Vegas?” Gemma asks as I turn onto the main road. Swallowing hard, I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want to get her involved any more than she is, either. The less she and Everleigh know, the better.

“Yes,” I admit.

“I never put the pieces together. It didn’t cross my mind that she was the same Victoria that you knew, and I didn’t care to ask questions.” Gemma shakes her head. “I’ve met her before.”

“When?” I ask, trying to figure out the timeline.

“Monday night. We met her for dinner. She was the one who dropped the bomb about the wedding.”

I’m lost in my thoughts for a moment. No wonder she was quiet when I was in Vegas. Victoria was here planting the seeds for her evil plan, whatever it is.

“No telling what Robert’s told her,” I say honestly.

She groans. “I hope he kept his mouth shut, but considering she knew about the wedding, I highly doubt it. Robert has a habit of running his mouth if it means building a relationship with someone. His main priority is getting them to sign the contract, and he’ll do whatever it takes, including selling them the dream.”

“The more I hear about Robert, the more I can’t stand him,” I admit.

We sit in silence until the light turns green. She glances at me. “Wanna come over for a little while and keep me company?”

“Sure,” I say, my heart hurting for her.