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He ignores me. “And this shit? Not a good look for our town. We’re trying to clean up, not invite troublemakers.”
“Those troublemakers are kids. They live here.”
“They’re not worth it.”
“I think those kids are worth a hell of a lot more than you.”
Riff only smiles.
“Peabody’s on some of the committees I’m on. He’s with the golf club, and when we were playing some rounds, he told me about this. You’re getting a reputation as a troublemaker now Diego Fernandez is back in town. Could have him run out.”
I shake my head. Diego’s right, Riff’s a douche. I suddenly have the urge to shower and wash away all touches I ever had from him. He also has no idea of Diego’s connections. He’d probably piss himself, and the thought almost makes me giggle.
“For what?”
Riff doesn’t say anything. “Come on, Nadia, I’ll buy you dinner, take you home, and—”
“I’m not gonna be pleased with that,” a voice says. My fingers curl. The asshole is swooping in, thinking I can’t handle it. I’m pathetic, considering I like it. “I don’t like to share my woman.”
I slide Diego a side-eye. He did that deliberately.
But it does the trick and Riff just stiffly says, “We’ll talk later. Alone.”
“Not gonna happen,” Diego calls out at his retreating back.
I glare at him. “Where’s your bike?”
“Parked it around the corner. And yes, I am keeping an eye on you. So, get in your car, and I’ll make sure you get home.”
I jump in my car, locking my doors. Diego nods and walks off. Seeing me home, like he’s going to check I go in alone and then leave. It’s pretty fucking telling, what it is.
Heart heavy, I drive home.
* * *
Diego follows right until I’m about to turn onto my street, then he guns it and takes off.
I hate him in that moment.
Like a full-on melt down frustration of hate, born from love. Because I do, I still love him, and I hate him for that.
It’s childish. It gets me nowhere, and I can’t help it.
When I pull up, his bike is there, and Diego leans against my door.
Fury flashes bright, and I stalk up to him, shovign him hard. “I hate you, Diego.”
“You probably fuckin’ should but I think the problem here is you don’t. And I don’t hate you either. It’s a heck of a problem. Wanting each other still. We’ve fucked and all that’s done is turn the flames up high.” He pauses. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“I can’t.”
“I’m sorry, by the way.” He catches my hands and puts them on his chest, over his heart. “I was a total ass earlier.”
“Damn you, Diego. Why can’t this be simple?”
“Because it isn’t. We want different things.”
I shake my head and shove him again. “You. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
