“Tell me,” I demand.
She tucks those sexy legs up under her butt, turning to face me. “You were right. About Judy. He swears it was the one time. One time too many for me. He had both our parents there and had the nerve to ask me to marry him. He wanted to use our engagement photos for an advertisement for my stepdad’s practice.” She scoffs, and I have to agree that was a dick move.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“You’re his friend. I don’t hold you at fault for his choices. Tell me this though. Was it more than once?”
I look away from her. I shouldn’t be talking about this shit with her. I should get up and walk away. I should go to bed. I should do anything but tell her what I say next. “He’s still fucking her, and he doesn’t plan on stopping.”
“Thank you for being honest with me. This is the shit I would have expected out of you. You know that’s why I…never mind.”
“Why you what? What were you going to say?”
“It doesn’t matter, Holden. I guess I got what I deserve for playing it safe, taking the easy road.”
I grab her wrist and take her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb across her knuckle. “It matters to me. What easy road?”
“That night, at the bar. The night we all first met. I wanted you to kiss me. On the dance floor.” She looks away, her cheeks tinted a pale pink.
Inside, I am pumping my fist in the air. She wanted me too. “You thought I would hurt you?”
“I knew a guy like you would be the death of me. I knew Ezra was sweet, the boy next door. You were a storm. A storm to be reckoned with. I’ve seen the path you’ve left behind since I met you, Holden. I just never guessed Ezra was like that. I mean, I am not dogging you, because at least you own what you do. You’re honest and I respect that.”
“You want some honesty?”
Conleigh stares at me quizzically.
“Ezra told me to come here tonight and fuck you because he thought I couldn’t. He thinks that if you fuck me, you will forgive him.”
“What?! Are you serious right now?”
“Sadly, no.”
“That’s what he wants? He wants me to fuck you so he doesn’t feel guilty, is that it?”
“Pretty much.”
“Is that what this is tonight, you trying to get me in your bed?”
“No, I won’t fuck you unless you ask me to and not to get back at Ezra. If and when we fuck, Conleigh. It will be because you want to, not because you want revenge.”
“What makes you think I won’t ask you? Maybe that’s exactly what I need tonight.”
I scoot closer to her and tilt her chin up, forcing her to look in my eyes. “If that’s what you want from me. A cheap, meaningless night. I’ll fuck you and you can go back to the fantasy life with Ezra. It will be like we never touched, but if I fuck you, Conleigh, you’ll feel my touch every damn day the rest of your life and wish you had given me a real shot.”
“What are you saying, Holden? You want to be with me?”
I shake my head and run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“It would never work between you and me.” She pulls away and stands up.
She holds her hand out. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” I eye her, certain she isn’t going to ask me.
“Take me to bed, Holden. Be my cheap thrill. Be my revenge, but one condition.”
I swallow. “What’s that?”