Page 27 of Coveted By Cupid

Boden looks at his ex standing behind me with beseeching eyes. “Vanessa⁠—”

“Don’t talk to her,” I snap.

Vanessa sighs behind me, placing her hand on my back and calming me down. “Cupid, please. You’ve made your point. Let me finish this.”

I glance at her over my shoulder. “Do you have to?”

She gives me a sharp look, one I’m quickly learning is her Don’t test me face.

Biting back a curse, I step aside, not willing to leave her side. She can finish the battle, but she will not feel alone while she lands the final blows. I’ll be her witness and her backup if need be.

“Boden, there is nothing left to be said. You’re the one who hurt me and I can’t forgive you. You need to leave.”

“Vanessa Baby, you don’t mean that,” he says weakly. He moves forward, trying to close the distance between them.

I put my hand against his chest, warning him not to come any closer. He shoves my hand off him, but stays put.

He motions at me, addressing Vanessa. “And he’s what you want? Some dirtbag from the streets?”

“Fuck, yeah,” I spit at the same time as Vanessa says, “It’s none of your business.”

“It is my business,” Boden says heatedly. “We’re supposed to be together, Vanessa.”

“What we? There is no we, thanks to you and your dick,” Vanessa fires back, her voice raising an octave. “And what about Riley? Where does she factor into all of this? You can’t tell me you cut her off when I’ve seen you and her together around campus since I caught you. For someone claiming they’re remorseful, you have a funny way of showing it. For all I know, you two are probably still fucking, just not on my couch anymore.”

Boden looks away, his jaw tight with frustration. “I’m working on cutting ties with her.”

Vanessa scoffs, shaking her head. “Right. And I’m supposed to take your word as truth? Please.”

“I am,” he protests loudly, his head swinging back to her with wide, pleading eyes. “Did you read the last letter I left you?”

“Some of it, for shits and giggles, yeah,” Vanessa clips with sarcasm. “There are a ton of side hustles, Boden. Don’t tell me you can’t find another with no ties to her. I was stupid to give you a chance in the first place, but I’m not gullible to believe a damn thing coming out of your mouth. Having her around is convenient, especially when I’m no longer available. She was obviously worth losing me, so go be with her and stay the hell away from me.”

“Damn,” I chuckle under my breath. Vanessa’s anger is more entertaining to watch when I’m not on the receiving end of it.

“If I could back out of my current arrangement, I would,” Boden fires back. “Unfortunately, it’s not simple. I swear, as far as Riley and I are concerned, there’s nothing between us other than business.”

Vanessa throws her hands in the air. “It doesn’t matter anymore. The damage is done. Just go. Do better with your next partner.”

Vanessa turns to head into her apartment when Boden yanks her back by her wrist, making her scream in pain. “We’re not through!”

Red fills my vision. My fist connects with his nose. The crunch of cartilage giving under my fist is music to my ears. The heat of his blood rains across my knuckles, evidence that I put him in his place.

Boden stumbles back, releasing Vanessa. I catch her in my arms, spinning Vanessa behind my back to keep her out of harm’s way.

He covers his nose with his hand, his blood dripping down the front of his face and onto his clothes. “Sonofabitch! You broke my nose!”

“Touch her again and I’ll break a lot more on you, starting with your dick. Now, fuck off.”

“Vanessa Baby, I’m sorry,” he tries again, sounding more pathetic and nasally. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Stay away from me, Boden,” Vanessa warns. She nurses her sore wrist, rubbing it with her free hand.

Again, the asshole can’t take a hint. “Vanessa⁠—”

“For fuck’s sake, it’s over! I’ve moved on and found better.”

To drive her point home, she reaches up, grabs my face in her hands, and pulls me down to her level, where she kisses the hell out of me. She parts her lips, and I waste no time sweeping my tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers.