Page 94 of The Has-Been

What. The. Fuck. Just. Happened?

When I finally walk out of the bathroom, finding the courage to face him, I’m greeted with an empty room.

I pull on a clean pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt.

He may have gone to the lobby to get me a snack or something to drink. But I search there for several minutes and come up short.

I check the parking lot next, but his Jeep is gone.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I suddenly feel so cold, wishing I had grabbed my jacket as the temperature seems to have plummeted.

My breath quickens, my cheeks warming even in the cold as I run back inside. When I’m back in the room, I throw myself on the bed, covering my face in the pillows as I choke back on cries. Tears turn into breathless rage.

I shake my head, my mind swimming with confusion.

Suddenly I can’t breathe.

I look around the room, and my vision is disoriented.

My breaths are coming far too quickly, one bleeding into the next.

Pulling my knees to my chest, I know I’m moments away from another panic attack. A flood of emotions torments me as I hyperventilate on the mattress. Deep sobs rack my insides as I weep aloud, allowing the tears to fall uncontrollably. I’m not even sure why I’m crying.

His rejection? The thought of him leaving again?

But part of me knows it’s tears of anger, tears of regret for allowing myself to take things too far when he wanted so badly to move slowly—guilt claws at my chest as hot tears fall with frustration. I shouldn’t have gotten in that shower. I should have given him the space he wanted.

But the real issue is: I should have told him the truth.

And then he would’ve had a real reason to leave me.

CHAPTER 20

PAYBACK IS A BITCH NAMED AUBREY VAUGHN

LIAM

When I get back to the hotel, I can immediately tell I’ve downright fucked up.

I set the pizza boxes down on the bed. Then I pull out the two bottles of water and the box of condoms from the paper bag.

Aubrey’s eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, find the food and narrow as she eyes the condoms.

“I left mine back at the apartment because I was really trying to be a…” I hesitate before I put on my best impression of a proper English accent. “A gentleman.”

Why did I go with an English accent—that was fucking embarrassing?

“You couldn’t have told me that?” Aubrey shoots back, reaching for the box of pizza and pulling a slice free.

She’s always hungry, but especially so…after.

My dick threatens to harden again as I watch her eat, desperate for its release.

In fact, it’s been practically screaming at me since I walked away from a very wet and ready Aubrey twenty minutes ago.

But I didn’t want it to be about me—about my wants.

I sit on the bed as she mumbles from a mouth full of pizza. “You’re a real dumbass, you know that?”