“You’re lying,” I repeat. “He was not dared to take me home the night of the party.”
“Party?” He laughs. “No, I’m talking about the day he kissed you at Collins High by the football field.”
“What?” I gasp.
“I won’t lie. Somewhere along the way, Deke managed to fall in love with you, but you’ve fucked him over too many times. See, Becky, you always were nothing more than a game to us.” He tilts his head to the side. “A game that has come to an end.” Then he turns and walks over to the small kitchen.
Without another word, I walk out of the clubhouse, fall into my father’s car, and start it up. “The Best You Had” by Nina Nesbitt plays through the speakers. Removing my cell from my pocket, I pull up Deke’s number, and fresh tears begin to fall. I need to make it right with him. He’s the only one who can save me at this point.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
DEKE
I SIT BY the pool in the cool night air, and I’m on my third cigarette while Cole does his laps. Now that it’s November, he’s turned the heater on in the pool.
My phone dings, and I pick it up off the table next to me to see it’s a text from Becky. It’s like all the others she’s sent me. She’s relentless.
Becky: Why her?
Becky: Did you think she was me?
Becky: Why didn’t you tell me?
Becky: Do you not love me anymore?
Same ole, same ole.
I ignore them and drop the phone onto my lap. Cole pops his head out of the water, sucking in a deep breath, but says nothing.
My phone begins to ring, but I don’t even bother looking at it. I have nothing to say to Becky. I didn’t sleep with Demi for any other reason than I wanted her. Simple as that. And I was single. Am single. I don’t have to explain myself, especially to her. She’d kill me if she knew I did it for a second time. Third time. Fourth time. They were all better than the first, if that’s even possible. And it’s all I’ve thought about. I’ve been hard for the last three days.
It stops for a second and then starts up again.
“You gonna answer that?” Cole asks.
“Nope.” I take another drag. It stops after the second ring this time, and I sit back in the lounge chair.
“Wanna talk about it?” he asks.
I almost laugh. “Not much to say.” At this point, I’m not sure who fucked me over more. Demi or Becky. One cheated on me, and the other used me.
Fuck, I’m starting to sound like a bitch whining to her girlfriends about a guy she expected to love her.
I hear the sliding glass door open, and a moment later, Austin comes to stand beside me. “Get your ass out of the pool,” she tells Cole in a rush.
“Austin, what …?”
“Get the fuck up.” She ignores him, smacking my arm so hard I drop my cigarette in my lap.
“What the hell?” I bark, trying to shove it off before it burns my fucking dick through my jeans.
“What’s going on?” Cole demands, jumping out of the pool.
“Demi is here.”
My teeth grind at the mention of her name. I can’t do this again. I don’t see it ending well. I hated that I felt the slightest bit sorry for her when she confessed she wanted to be anyone but herself. It’s just another trick. Now that I haven’t seen her in days, I’ve been able to think clearly. She picked Seth over me. And I refuse to do this again. I’ve already done it with Becky.
“And?” Cole growls.
“And she needs our help.”
I snort. “Tell the bitch to go to hell.”
Austin shocks the shit out of me when she slaps me across the face. And fucking hard, I might add. I jump to my feet.
“Get the fuck over it,” she yells. “This is serious.”
Cole grabs her arm, forcing her to face him. “What is going on?”
She takes in a deep breath. “It’s about Seth.”
“That doesn’t help her case.” I growl.
She pulls away from Cole and places her hands on her hips. “Every time I forget how big of dicks you guys can be, you remind me.” Then she spins around and enters the house, slamming the sliding glass door shut.
Cole grabs his towel and dries off with a hard look on his face. I step on my cigarette, making sure it’s out before I go inside to face whatever bullshit is going on.
Cole and I enter the house and find Demi sitting on the couch with her head down between her hands. Austin sits beside her, rubbing her back and speaking softly.
“Why the fuck are you here?” I demand, coming to stand in front of them.
Austin’s head snaps up, and she glares at me. “Deke …”