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“I’m going to run to the ladies’ room anyway. Go have a dance,” I insisted. Leo hesitated, but Grace clapped happily.
“One dance,” he agreed, and I smiled. I couldn’t imagine the last time he’d been able to go dancing without a thousand cameras trying to get shady pictures of him. And I knew even though Grace was still trying to play it cool, a part of her had to be super stoked that she was heading to the dance floor with Leo Turner.
I took another sip of my drink and then crutched my way through the crowd until I found the bathroom. After a quick touchup of my makeup and a realization that lighting in the bathroom of women’s clubs didn’t do anyone any favors, I precariously made my way back toward our table. But as I was on my way to our spot, I heard my name. “Tillie” isn’t a name you hear everywhere, so I turned expectantly to see who the male voice belonged to even though in my heart of hearts, I already knew. Still, it couldn’t be. Not tonight. Not here.
But when I turned to see Brad coming toward me, I groaned. He was heading straight for me, and I was unfortunately not in the position to go running away. So, I stood my ground, silently thanked Grace for the sexy outfit advice, and prepared myself to yet again see the man who had shattered me into pieces and discarded me on the floor.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Tillie,” he repeated, and from that one word, I could tell he’d been drinking. “You look amazing.”
His eyes traveled up and down, but instead of making me blush, it gave me the ick. I said nothing. I pushed past him, not in the mood to see him. He’d seen me, and that was enough. I tried to stand tall, to pretend he didn’t bother me anymore. I tried to pretend my heart wasn’t shattered from the sight of him. Once, I’d thought he was my forever. Now, he wasn’t. I tried to convince myself it didn’t matter. But the way my stomach dropped, I knew it still did. I exhaled, my chest feeling tight. I beelined for the table, my eyes facing away from Brad. I didn’t need to see him.
“Hey, Tillie, come on. Don’t be like this,” he said. “We can still talk, can’t we?”
I spun around, not very gracefully due to my crutches, but still with impact. He jumped. The music pounded on, but my wrath lifted my bellow above the cacophony of sound.
“Are you kidding me? After what you’ve done, do you think we should talk? Let’s talk, Brad. Let’s talk about how you cheated on me with my roommate, my best friend. Let’s discuss how you are the scummiest scum out there, that you wrecked my life. Let’s talk about how you two deserve each other,” I yelled, fury in my heart and my eyes. All pretenses of being the bigger person, of being mature, went right out the window as the true emotions in my heart bubbled up. I couldn’t stop them.
“You were busy, Tillie. You didn’t have time for me,” he argued, his voice screeching over the music.
“Building the business. Our business. You did this, Brad. You.” I pointed angrily, leaning on my crutches.
“I miss you, Tillie,” he said, softening. He’d closed the space between us, and his words echoed in my ear. I could feel his breath on my neck, right in the spot I used to love to be kissed by him. I closed my eyes.
“I don’t miss you,” I replied, takin a step back. And it was true. It was completely true. Wasn’t it?
“Tillie, I made a mistake,” he said. “I miss you. Say the word, and I’m yours. Let’s give it another chance.”
“You’re insane,” I said. Tears started to well. I fought them back. I didn’t need smeared mascara from this encounter.
“You know he’s not good for you, right? Leo Turner? He’s famous, Tillie. He’s not the kind of guy for you,” he argued. As if Leo was the only reason I wouldn’t be with him. Still, the words rattled inside. “He’s going to hurt you.”
I didn’t move. So, he had recognized him at the diner. And of course, his only thought was that I couldn’t possibly make it work with him.
“You don’t know anything,” I said, my words more resolute than my feelings.
