What the fuck was I even doing with my life anymore?
“I’ll pass. Thanks,” I said. “I’m going to get another drink.”
She pouted at me, and maybe it would have been cute or sexy if I were in a different mood, a different world, a different life, but all it did was remind me how miserable and alone I was.
And how pissed off it made me.
“Lorenzo,” Jack Avery greeted me. Jack owned a local media company and was constantly trying to get his reporters to do stories on me. I always declined.
“Jack,” I said, drinking down my champagne quickly.
“You know what I’m about to ask you,” he started.
“And you know my answer.”
“Oh, come now, Lorenzo! You’re all the rage, what with that sex tape out in the world. Bishop! I can’t even imagine.” He gave a low whistle. “I had no idea you were engaged to the little fox. What happened with it?”
“I fucked someone else,” I muttered.
He widened his eyes at me. “Who?”
I snorted. “The woman I married.”
Jack nodded. “Well, at least you got a wedding and a son from the ordeal.”
Jack wasn’t a bad guy; he was just loud and didn’t think.
“Right.”
“Well, all I know is everyone is talking about what a lucky man you are. That girl is fire. If you’d ever care to throw me a bone and tell me stories about her, I’d be eager to listen.”
“I’m sure you would,” I said, giving him a forced smile.
He chuckled. “I’m a lonely man.” He paused. “Are you still in contact with her?”
“Uh, sort of,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “Why?”
“Perhaps you could set up a meeting? I would love to interview her. Her management team shoots down all my requests, but if we could get her on a cover, sales would skyrocket. And if you did a shoot with her?” He let out a low whistle.
“That’s never going to happen,” I said. “For one thing, her management team consists of her husband. He’s incredibly protective of her. He’d never allow me and her to be on a cover together. And secondly, I have no desire to do any collab cover with her or you. I keep telling you that I’m not interested.”
He sighed. “Can’t fault a man for trying.”
“I can’t,” I said, eyeing Jade as she stared at me from across the room. She licked her lips subtly and winked.
I swallowed and looked away from her. I knew what she wanted, and if I wasn’t careful, that’s exactly what I’d give her because I was feeling some kind of fucked in my head.
I just didn’t want to hurt anymore.
51
COLE
Irushed home, upset that I’d missed the evening with Rosalie and Ellis. I knew Ellie had gone to bed, and that Rosalie was likely sleeping too. It was just another day in their lives I’d missed out on.
I pushed open the apartment door and went inside to find Ryder asleep on our couch. He and I needed to sort some shit, but I wasn’t about to do it right then. He could punch me in the face tomorrow.
I rushed to my bedroom in a hurry to change and check on Rosalie and Ellis, but stopped in my tracks as I saw Rosalie curled up in my bed.
