I knew she had every right to unleash on me and I had no problem letting her get it all out. When we’d been dating, we had epic fights. Followed by the best make-up sex of my life.
“Now that’s harsh.”
I could hear her inhaling deeply before she said, “You’re right, it was. But I can’t help myself, you just bring out the worst in me.”
I smiled. “I can bring out the best in you too, let’s not forget that.” We both knew I was crossing the line now, with sexual innuendoes, but like her, I couldn’t help myself. I had no self-control where she was concerned.
“I’d like to forget you,” she snapped.
“Maybe, but we both know you can’t.”
“Why did you tell Austin we dated in high school?”
“You want me to keep things from my producer? I thought these meetings were going to preach honesty and respect for self and others.” I didn’t know if that was true. I hadn’t been to enough meetings, but it sounded like the kind of thing they would preach.
“So, you told Austin about us to clear your conscience? I call bullshit, Mav. You did it because you knew he wouldn’t want to see me anymore if he knew about us.”
“Is there an us?” I sank down on my sectional, reveling in her anger. I’d never seen a hotter sight than a fiery Codie.
“No! And there never will be again.”
“If you say so.” I was beginning to realize I didn’t have to do a damn thing to convince her there was something still between us. Now that fate had brought us back together, I couldn’t get her off my mind and I suspected she felt the same way. Even if she wasn’t willing to admit it yet.
“Why?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why are you still trying to hurt me? What did I do to you to make you hate me, even after all these years?”
Ouch. That hurt like hell. “I could never hate you, girl. And I’d never willingly hurt you, I swear.”
Her voice was softer when she asked, “Then why tell Austin about us? The truth this time.”
I owed her the truth, for all the years I perpetuated the lie that I didn’t want her anymore. “It ate me up inside, knowing you had something going with a guy I knew, someone I had to see all the time. I couldn’t look at Austin without imagining him with you, and to be honest, that’s probably not good for my sobriety.”
She was silent so long, I thought she hung up.
“Codie? You still there?”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “Just trying to put myself in your position. And I get it, I guess.”
“I’m sorry if it hurt you, losing Austin. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Losing him didn’t hurt me, you idiot. We’d only been on one date. What hurt was thinking that you still had it in for me, even though you were the one who destroyed me.”
Jesus, this girl could still put the squeeze on my heart with just a few words. “Letting you go destroyed me too. Like nothing else ever has. If you never believe another word I say to you, please believe that.”
“I can’t do this with you, Mav. I can’t get caught up in the past again. Not when I’ve worked so hard to build a life I love, one I’m proud of.”
“I’m proud of you too. I know I have no right to be, but I am.” I had no doubt she’d be happy and successful without me. That’s why I had to let her go. Because I didn’t think she could live her best life with an alcoholic boyfriend bringing her down.
“Thank you.” I heard noise in the background before what sounded like a door closing, followed by silence. “I have to admit, seeing you up on that stage last night, I was pretty proud of you too. I never thought I’d see the day you’d have sixty thousand fans screaming for more. It was pretty surreal.”
“Does that mean you’ll come to the show in Montgomery next weekend?”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll think about it. And let you know when I decide.”
I knew I had no right to expect more than that. “Cool.” I hesitated to ask, but had to know. “So, you still hate me, or what?”
