“Again. Why would he call and ask?”
I smirk. “Because Becky made him.”
She laughs. “He’s so whipped.”
“You are correct. But he’s been in love with her since sophomore year. So it’s not like I didn’t see that coming.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
I nod. “He never tried to get with her, though. Knew that she was the type of girl who deserved more than what he was willing to give.”
She frowns. “But you just said he loved her. Why wouldn’t he want to be with her? Doesn’t make sense.”
“He knew he’d break her heart. Too many options out there to stay with just one.”
Her eyes narrow on mine. We haven’t had the talk if I’m sleeping with other girls even though I think she suspects it. I don’t know if she’s afraid I’ll say yes if she asks, or if she just doesn’t care.
She slides out from between me and the wall, moving back under the spray to rinse out her shampoo. “So why now? Thought he would play with her since senior year is almost over?”
She uses the same word Bryan said I’m doing with her. “No. When he was ready to settle down with her last year, she was already in a serious relationship.”
“David,” she says. I nod. “She told me that Deke asked her if what he had heard was true about their breakup that night you guys showed up at the party.” Leaning her head back, she runs her hands over her hair, making sure all the suds are gone. I watch the way her back arches and her tits push out and lick my lips. “So now what? He’s changed his old ways?” She looks at me skeptically. “Because I watched him swallow a girl’s tongue that night you threw a party at your house. That was just five days before they hooked up.”
“What did you expect? Him to live his life pining for her?” I shake my head. “That’s not how Deke works. Not how any guy with a set of balls works.”
She rolls her eyes. “God forbid a man show a woman he actually has a heart.”
I ignore that statement. “What about you?”
“What about me?” She pours some conditioner in her hand and runs it through her long dark hair.
“You and Martin.”
Her hands freeze midway, and her eyes narrow on me. But she doesn’t answer.
I take a step toward her. “I want you to delete any picture that you have of him off your social media page.”
She tries to shove me away, but her hands are covered in conditioner, so they slide right off. “And I told you when you get a social media page, I’ll do that.” She gives me a big fuck you smile. Like she just asked me to give her the fucking moon. As if it’s impossible.
“I do have one.”
She throws her head back, laughing. “You’re so full of shit.”
I arch a brow. “Wanna bet.”
Her laughter dies down, and her eyes search mine, looking for any indication that I’m pulling her chain. I’m not.
She shakes her head in acceptance. “You’re such a dick.”
“Did you love him?” The words are out of my mouth before I can even stop them. I try not to flinch at the question.
Her eyes narrow on me. “Why do you care, Cole?” she snaps, her patience of this conversation running short. I don’t blame her. I’m not one to talk about pointless shit. But this is important.
Since I first laid eyes on Austin Lowes, I’ve wanted to control her. Own her. Hurt her. What more can a guy take from a woman than their love? Their soul?
She won’t turn on someone she loves, was what Bennett had said when we were all standing in the middle of the clubhouse the night I had Deke take her home after I stole her father’s car. I didn’t understand what he meant until now.
Now it makes perfect fucking sense!
I want Austin Lowes to fall in love with me.
AUSTIN
He’s up to something.
Of course, he is. If Cole Reynolds is breathing, then he is up to no good. He doesn’t understand how well I can read him. Or that I’ve been fed bullshit lines all my life. I’m not the girl who believes in fairy tales and happily ever afters.
“Yes,” I say, playing along with his game.
His eyes narrow on me, but I ignore it. Instead, I go back to running conditioner through my hair. At this rate, the water is gonna be cold soon.
“How long were you guys together?” he asks.
“Almost four years.” Not a total lie.
“You’re seventeen,” he argues as if I can’t do the math.
“Yes. Thanks for the reminder,” I say and turn around, giving him my back. I run the water over my face and tilt my head down to rinse out the conditioner. I could have stayed facing him but didn’t feel like it.