I told myself it was too soon, that she was still on the rebound after what he did to her, but did I really believe it? No.
I paced that damn apartment until it felt like the walls were closing in on me. Then Loren sent that text, asking if I was thirsty.
The moment that text came through, I made the decision I’ve been struggling with ever since we kissed.
To be her rebound if that’s what she needs. To show her how she deserves to be treated, whether it lasts for a day or a decade.
And it’s already coming back to bite me in the ass.
My hands strangle the wheel. “I thought you were over him.”
She looks at me as if she doesn’t have a clue what I’m talking about. Which, to be fair, is probably true considering I’ve been holding an entire conversation in my head.
“I am.”
“Then why are you so upset?”
There she goes again, pressing the buttons on her damn phone. “He threatened me.”
My hold on the steering wheel slips, and the truck weaves toward the shoulder. I correct quickly enough, but my mind isn’t as quick to recover.
“Hewhat?”
“He said he was going to lie to Rebecca, tell her I was the one coming on to him, that I knew he had a girlfriend. Make me look like the villain. And it’s so shitty because she is honestly the nicest person.”
And nice people are too forgiving. Narcissists like Josh know that, which is why they attach themselves to nice women like the leeches they are. Someone who will forgive all the bullshit they have to put up with.
It’s fucking infuriating.
“What if she fires me?”
“She can’t fire you for sleeping with her boyfriend.”
Loren’s head falls back as she mulls it over. “Maybe.”
Not maybe. That’s the law. They must have reasonable cause to fire her, and something like that isn’t it. Now, this Rebecca could certainly make Loren’s life hell until Loren wants to quit, but if Rebecca is as “nice” as Loren claims, I doubt that will happen.
That doesn’t mean Loren won’t quit all by herself. I can see her giving up and running away instead of staying to fight. That isn’t always a bad thing, but in this case, it would do more harm than good.
She loves her job—earned that promotion.
She doesn’t deserve to pay forhisshitty decisions.
Now I’m sorry I didn’t hit her ex in his smug face.
I rack my brain for something to say that’ll make this better, but all that does is make me want to turn this truck around.
Fifteen minutes later, we finally get back to our apartment complex. By the time I make my way to Loren’s side of the vehicle, she still hasn’t budged. I open the door for her and release the belt. I take her hand in mine, and she feels so small and fragile as she drifts along next to me, up the stairs to our front door.
Enough is enough. If there’s anything I can do to resurrect her smile, I’m going to do it. “Do you want me to have August slash his tires?”
She blinks up at me, her eyes round as an owl’s. “What?”
“If Josh is still at the bar. August would be more than happy to do it.” My cousin loves a good misdemeanor.
Finally, a laugh. “I appreciate the thought, but I wouldn’t want your cousin getting into trouble because of me.”
August wouldn’t get into trouble. Hell, even if a cop saw him commit the crime, he’d probably be able to convince the officer that Josh deserved it. “Fair enough, but if you change your mind, let me know. You want another drink?” Might help calm her nerves. Her hands are trembling.
