Preston’s angry ‘fuck you, Cassidy’ played in a loop in my mind, and I wanted it gone. I needed to think about something else. Anything else, before my hurt turned to rage. Three years together, and that was the last thing he said to me. Fuck you, Cassidy.
My gaze roamed over my bedroom and only made it worse. Memories of him were everywhere. It was amazing how much he’d been a part of my life in high school, and the room was like a freaking shrine to him. Even my bed was tainted with the memory of when I’d given him my virginity. I groaned and pushed to my feet, hoping I could outrun the angry feeling inching along my skin. Tripod lifted his head, set on high alert.
The picture of Preston and me at our senior prom was on my bookshelf, and I glared at the smiling version of us. I felt powerless against my memories and my anger. Fuck me, Preston? No. Fuck you.
I stared down at my phone and Greg’s question if I wanted to talk about it. I was desperate to take some power back.
Cassidy: Yeah. Can I come back over?
THIRTEEN
I DIDN’T TAKE ANY CHANCES. I parked my car in the driveway of the vacant house for sale, then hurried down the sidewalk and into the patch of trees bordering the Lowe property. Was it stupid to hide and sneak around like this? Yeah. But I was too focused right now on getting rid of Preston’s voice in my head.
Greg must have seen me making my way up because the side door to his bedroom swung open and he welcomed me inside. His gaze drifted down to the tote bag clutched in my hands, and his eyebrows pulled together.
“Preston’s stuff you’re returning?” he asked.
I tossed the bag onto a side chair and shook my head. “I lied. I don’t want to talk about it.”
I closed the distance between us, gripped his face in my hands, and pulled his lips down to mine. The evening had been hard on my system. My arousal had been interrupted by anger, and the emotions swirled together, creating aggression I hadn’t experienced before. But I liked the combination. I enjoyed the way it launched me into his arms.
Greg’s reaction told me he did too.
His lips were pliant against mine, and I plunged my tongue into his mouth, eager to pick up where we’d left off. Just the connection to him was enough to quiet thoughts in my head. Maybe it was wrong to use him like that, but I couldn’t quench the desire for him any other way.
Our kiss started with passion, but rather than explode, it slowed to a simmer. He eased me back and stared down into my eyes, contemplating whatever he wanted to say.
“You don’t want to talk about it,” he said softly, “but we should.”
I sighed.
Fuck you, Cassidy.
I winced at the echo in my memory and tore my gaze away from Greg, staring over his shoulder to the bed, and beyond to the doorway to his bathroom. I knew I couldn’t avoid it forever; I’d eventually deal with the Preston situation and whatever it was Greg and I were doing, but I didn’t want to face it tonight.
“Fine.” My shoulders slumped, and I acted every bit the sullen teenager I felt at that moment. “Can I have something to drink first?”
He straightened and nodded. “What do you want? I’ve got wine, beer—”
Breath cut off along with his words. He’d just remembered I wasn’t old enough to legally drink. Yet, this was stupid. He knew college kids drank, and he let us do it at his house as long as we were responsible.
I wanted Greg to see me as an adult, even if I wasn’t exactly acting like one. “Wine would be great,” I said. “Thanks.”
He hesitated and tried not to look as if he’d been backed into a corner. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
Greg was barely through the door when I snatched up the tote bag and scrambled for the bathroom. Coming here had been crazy. Grabbing him and kissing him was crazier, but I was about to do something so insane, it was likely to blow up in my face. As I stripped off my t-shirt, I refused to look at myself in the large mirror over the double sinks. I was sure I’d look back on this moment with heaps of regret, but I pushed forward anyway.
My hands were unsteady as I undid the button of my shorts, and I fumbled along, hurrying to put the dress on. The thick fabric was the shade of evergreen trees, and I squirmed into the tight bodice. Thank God it still fit.
The back zipper gave a muted vrrrp as I tugged it up, being careful of the beading, and then I couldn’t avoid it any longer. I lifted my head and stared at my reflection. My hair wasn’t in too bad of shape. I’d pulled it up into a sleek ponytail before coming here, but a few tendrils curled softly at the nape of my neck.