“I didn’t mean it the way you took it—”
“The way I took it?! Those were the exact words out of your mouth—how else was I supposed to interpret that?!”
Declan glanced at the porch where three men stood, one laughing. “Let’s go back to Spades, and we can—”
“Oh, of course.” I gestured toward them. “Can’t have the big bad men know thatyour girlraises her voice to you, can you?”
“That means something different to us than it does to you. I wasn’t saying—”
“You didn’t say a damn word in my defense when he told you to make me shut up,” I snapped. “You allowed him to belittle me. And then you think I’myours?”
“That wasn’t what I—”
“Fuck off.” I grabbed his shoulder and teleported to the gravel lot behind Spades. As he turned sideways to vomit, I said, “You have my number if you find anything about Misty.”
I dug in the purse over my shoulder for my keys and started around the building. He called after me, but I kept walking.
This early in the getting-to-know-one-another phase, looking out for red flags was a necessity. Until now, I hadn’t seen any. Declan seemed like a great guy, and I’d been excited to explore the possibility of more.
But apologizing to a man for my ‘behavior’ when all I’d done was speak?
Big, flashing red lights were going off in my mind.
No. This was over. Whatever this could’ve been was no more.
Just as my sweaty, trembling fingers lifted to push the key into the doorhandle, I dropped them. Bending over, furious perspiration dripping down my cheeks, I bent over to grab them.
As I straightened up, Declan jogged up behind me and planted his hand on the window, sealing the door shut. I opened my mouth to speak but he said, “I’m sorry.”
Did it sound earnest? Yes. Did that matter? No. I couldn’t begin to count all of the times my dad had beaten me only to say he was sorry after. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t do it again. That didn’t mean he cared about my feelings. An apology didn’t suddenly make him respect me the way he should have.
“Get your hand off my car.”
“Brooke—”
“It doesn’tbelongto you.” I shoved his shoulder.
It didn’t do much, but he dropped his hand to his side. “I know you don’t belong to me. I know you aren’t mine—”
“But you said that I was, and then you let him talk down to me.Youtalked down to me—”
“No, I didn’t—”
“You said my name like you were my parent. You didn’t—”
“I was trying to protect you. I don’t think like those guys, but I do know how they think, damn it. They’re disgusting, and Abe’s an asshole. But I didn’t want you to get hurt, and—”
“So you talked to me like you’re my fucking dad?!” I screamed, taking a step inward. “So you tell me to keep my mouth shut, and to—”
“I didn’t tell you to—”
“I’m not doing this.” I shook my head furiously, taking a few steps backward, gritting my teeth to a line. “This wasn’t what I signed up for. This isn’t the life I want. I don’t want to be with someone who demeans me, and then argues over why it was okay. It wasn’t. It wasn’t okay, and it will never be okay. I won’t be with someone who treats me like you did tonight. I like my peace, and my books, and being alone, and I won’t do this.” I wasn’t sure if a knot solidified in my throat because I was so angry or because I was hurt. But it didn’t matter. “I’m going home. Please get away from my car.”
Declan only stared me down for a long moment. I wasn’t sure what that expression was. Anger? Not quite. His brows were furrowed, but his jaw wasn’t clenched, and his nostrils weren’t flared. Sadness? There wasn’t a frown.
But I didn’t care right now, damn it. I was offended, and I was tired, and I wanted to go home.
Finally, he took a few steps back.