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We said our goodbyes, and I went in search of Rhett, but stopped abruptly at the scene I came upon. Rhett, Jackson, and one of their buddies were on the ground. Shirtless. In the push-up position. Each with a woman balanced on their backs, the girls’ arms wrapped around each guy’s chest. Someone yelled “go” and each of the three men did push-ups as the girls giggled.
What. The. Fuck?
I chugged my beer and turned away, not able to watch the scene unfold. I found a seat next to Jackson’s sister around the closest bonfire. We chatted for a while before Rhett and the others joined us.
“Hey, I feel like I haven’t gotten to talk to you tonight.” Rhett took the seat beside me on a bench.
At least he put his shirt back on.
“Mm-hmm,” I muttered, trying not to meet his eyes. I may not have had a right to be jealous, but seriously, how does he kiss me hours ago and then spend the evening flirting with everything with boobs?
His eyes scanned over my face before his hand gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. My stomach lodged in my chest. Concern radiated in his eyes, and for a second, I believed it, until I remembered the blonde he’d had his arm around. The giggling brunette on his back. The other blonde touching his forearm as she threw her head back, laughing at something he said. And theotherbrunette who came up behind him, wrapping herself around him, covering his eyes with her hands. I guess I was the third brunette of the day. Although technically, I was the first. But still, it made me one of five, just like with Brad, and I promised myself I wasn’t getting into another relationship like that ever again. I swallowed and blinked back the hurt.
Rhett’s eyes narrowed. “You okay?”
No. I wasnotokay. But I wasn’t telling him that.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied, and my heart dropped. The pain and humiliation flowed over me, turning my stomach. I couldn’t believe I thought he might wantmorewith me.
Before he could say anything else, a woman sat down beside him.
“Rhett, can you come by tomorrow? Or would Sunday be better?” she asked with a sweet smile.
Oh, hell no. Nope. Can’t do it.
I climbed to my feet and hastily made my way up the hill toward the house. Maybe I could lock myself in Jackson’s bathroom and call Ashley. I stopped when a hand wrapped around my wrist.
“What’s wrong?” Rhett demanded as he spun me around to face him.
I wasn’t doing this again. Rhett didn’t get to kiss me in the afternoon, then be with another girl at night. I thought he was different. No, I thoughtIwas different to him. Not just another one of the many.
“Forget it. It’s nothing.” I yanked my hand away.
“Bullshit,” he snapped. “You’re upset, and I want to know why.”
I glared at him. “You actually care?”
“Yes. I’m dying to know why you’re pissed at me,” he said with a sharp edge in his voice.
“Because you kissed me earlier, and now you’re here.” I waved my hand in the party’s direction before balling my hands into fists. “Trying to screw anything with tits.” The words barely made it out through my clenched teeth.
His eyebrows furrowed and his eyes turned to slits. “Don’t you dare try to make me out to be like your piece of shit ex.”
“How many girls have you let hang on you tonight?” I demanded, and he paused like he actually wasn’t sure how to answer the question. “If the shoe fits,” I spat.
He reared back from me like I’d slapped him. He clenched his jaw, blinked, and looked away.
Direct hit.
But the pain on his face didn’t make me feel good about landing the blow. Maybe I had been too quick to judge, not even giving him a chance to explain before hurting him with my words.
“Rhett—” Before I could apologize, his next words were like a knife to the heart.
He raised his hand. “No. Obviously, what happened between us earlier was a mistake. I think we both need to cool off and then we can talk tomorrow.” He brushed past me. “Night, Bella.”
Fuck. I won’t let him see me cry.
I blinked furiously, hating myself for getting this worked up over one kiss. But I had spent the last seven years waiting for him to kiss me again. Why did I think based on the look in his eyes afterward that it meant something to him too? And yet, he didn’t even really say anything afterward.
