The end of everything I wanted but didn’t deserve to ever have with such a magnificent woman—with my magical redheaded mermaid—mi vida.
She rose with unwavering resolve and went to the door.
I didn’t turn around for one last look. No, I sat there holding my breath and fisting my hands as I waited for it.
Two soft knocks.
A creaking door.
The click of the latch as it closed.
The end.
6
Tara
“I PROMISED MYSELF I would never fall in love again.”
Why would he tell me that?
I pressed my forehead into my steering wheel, gripping it between my hands.
Probably because he was a fucking biker who wanted to have no-strings-attached sex with all the kittensandme.
When I’d asked if it was all fake, he was so quick to sayyes.
Unbelievable.
Well, Hero Fuentes could take a flying, fucking leap into the Grand fucking Canyon. I was a possessive bitch—a one-man woman. Never good at sharing. Not my candy or clothes, and definitely not my man. No judgment toward those who had multiple partners, like Libby, but it wasn’t for me.
I hit my head, trying to refocus my emotions. I wasn’t heartbroken. I didn’t feel crushed by the hot biker. Nope, not me.
You lying bitch. Stop it. You’ll just make it worse. What did Dr. Kelly always say? She told you “to heal, you must first acknowledge your feelings.”
“Do it, Tara. Own your feelings. Don’t shut down,” I told myself.
I hit my head again, inhaling a deep breath as I started my car. Lady A’s voice flowed through the speakers, singing, “Need You Now.” How appropriate. The song I’d played ad nauseam after Hero didn’t return from the run. Was it now my theme song?
For fuck’s sake. I let a frustrated growl rip from my lungs and hit my hand against my thigh several times.
I didn’t change the song, because I was a glutton for punishment.
Hero made me feel worthless. I’d thought he was a good guy despite his bad-boy exterior. When he’d rescued me from the enforcer and talked to me when I was gagged for mouthing off, he’d comforted and soothed me. That wasn’t something a bad-boy did.
But I’d been a fool for thinking I’d met my Knight in shining armor. Herowasan asshole, after all, of epic proportions. He probably got off on knocking me down a dozen pegs.
Well, he could go to hell.
I blinked back traitorous tears as they brimmed at the corners of my eyes, while I pulled out of the parking lot.
Winters Township was alive with activity. Nothing unusual there. There was no school because of a teacher in-service day. I’d gone in early for some meetings, did what was needed, then chatted with Maddy.
She’d invited me to lunch at the clubhouse, which I declined. I needed to see Hero and hear straight from his lips that he didn’t want me.
Well, I’d gotten what I sought… Stupid bitch.
Hating the self-loathing poison flowing through my veins, I forced my attention on the colorful trees lining the streets. I couldn’t go down that dangerous road of beating myself up. If I succumbed to it, I might not be able to dig myself out.