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Harmony’s mouth opened slightly as if she was about to say something, but she stopped herself. Looking away, she said, “I better call a cab.”
“No. No way am I letting you take a cab home. I’ll give you a ride.”
Giving me a knee-knocking smile, she asked, “Are you sure? What about…Sherry? She might not be ready to go.”
Standing up, I reached down and helped Harmony stand. “Well, I am and I’m the driver, so if she doesn’t want to leave, she’s shit out of luck.”
Covering her mouth, Harmony giggled. “You’re so bad.”
Once Harmony rinsed out her mouth again, we headed back out to the living room. Harmony was definitely drunk. She could hardly walk as she made her way over to Jake and Sandy. Following her, I stood there while she said I was taking her home.
Jake reached for my hand to shake it. “Do you work tomorrow?”
Shaking my head, I said, “No. I never drink before I’ve got a shift.”
Nodding, he slapped my back. “Thanks for taking her home, dude. I appreciate it.”
Sandy helped Harmony gather up her things while I made my way over to Sherry.
Stepping between her and her new friend, I smiled at her. “Harmony is sick and we have to take her home. We’re leaving now.”
Sherry’s smile faded as she narrowed her eyes at me. “Jake will have to take her home. I’m not ready to leave.”
Anger washed over me as Sherry looked back at the guy and chuckled as she said, “Besides, I’m working a business deal. Isn’t that right, Jerry?”
The guy smiled and nodded.
Taking Sherry by the arm, I excused us and walked her to a corner. “Sherry, I’m taking Harmony home. You’re either coming with me or finding another way home.”
Sherry poked me in the chest. “You don’t owe her anything. Stop acting like you owe her something. So her kid and husband died. It wasn’t your fault. Jesus Christ, Preston, it’s time to move on. Let her hook up with some guy here tonight. Lord knows she needs to get laid. It’s pathetic how innocent she acts.”
Grabbing her and pulling her to me, I said, “Don’t talk about her like that.”
Sherry’s mouth dropped open. “I knew it. You’re attracted to her. You sick son of a bitch. What do you want to do, Preston? Give her a courtesy fuck? Maybe if you can fuck her, it will help with the fact that you couldn’t save her son.”
I dropped her arm and took a step back. The pain that shot through my chest about brought me to my knees. Shaking her head, Sherry stepped up to me. “Shit. Preston, I didn’t mean any of that, I just—”
Looking into Sherry’s eyes, everything was clear. This relationship was nothing more than a joke. I had settled into it,s thinking it was what I wanted. Sherry was not what I wanted. I wanted someone to look at me like I was their everything, their entire life.
“Stop. Sherry, this isn’t working.” Motioning between us, I kept talking. “This thing between us, it hasn’t been working for months.”
Letting out a gruff laugh, Sherry placed her hands on her hips. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Pushing my hand through my hair, I said, “I’m not sure, but I think it’s probably best if you move out. I’m not going through a very good time right now and you deserve someone who wants the things you want.”
Dropping her mouth open, Sherry stared at me. “You’re breaking up with me, Preston? Um…no. I don’t think so. I’ve invested my time into this damn relationship, patiently waiting for you to give me a ring. You are not breaking things off between us.”
“Sherry, that’s just it. I should want to walk into a store and buy you a ring and place it on your finger, but I don’t. I’ve stood and stared at rings for hours and my heart has never once told me it is the path I want to take.”
Tears filled her eyes. “This is because of her. You feel guilty so you’re pushing me away to be with her.”
Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. “This has nothing to do with Harmony and everything to do with the fact that you want things I don’t, Sherry. Things I’m never going to want with you.”
Laughing, she placed her hands on my chest and gave me a push. “You are a complete douchebag. Do you know that? My mother told me I was crazy for dating a lowlife like you. You’ll never get anywhere, Preston. You’re content in your mediocre life and your job that makes you feel like a hero. Well, fuck you, Preston Ward.”
Pushing past me, she walked off, but not before turning around and saying, “By the way, six months into our relationship, I slept with one of the guys at the firehouse. He stopped by and took care of things while you were in Seattle. Best fuck I’ve ever had.”
My heart dropped to my stomach, but I couldn’t lie and say I was surprised. I’d had a feeling Sherry and Richards had hooked up. I saw it in their faces every time they were near each other.
