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Like Ashley said, he was always slow and careful with his words. He’d probably spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how to tell me it was a mistake. His actions at the partydefinitelysaid that without any words. If I hadn’t forced him, he would have let me down easier. Now my freak-out about his flirting probably just ruined our friendship. And he was someone I never wanted to lose.
I grabbed another drink and headed toward one of the piers, far from the partygoers. My tears fell freely now. My mom had left me, and I couldn’t make her stay. My dad chose his pain and his need to run. My ex didn’t want me. Why would I think Rhett would be any different?
I heard footsteps on the pier. Caden made his way toward me, and I wiped my tears away the best I could.
“You okay?” He sat beside me and offered me his flask. “It’s whiskey, your favorite.”
I grabbed the flask from him and took a swig. The burn of the liquid at the back of my throat helped redirect the pain in my chest. I took another gulp to further dull the ache.
“Thanks. And yeah, I’m fine.” My feet dangled off the pier. I watched them swing above the dark water of the lake. “I wish my mom was still here,” I muttered, more to myself than to him.
He stood and offered me his hand. “Come on, beautiful.”
I hesitated for a moment and then took his hand. “Where are we going?” I asked as he helped me to stand.
“My boat. It’s right here.” He indicated a boat tied off down the pier from where we were standing. “We can talk.” He must have seen my uncertainty. “We were friends long before we ever dated, and I’ve always been a good listener.”
I should go home; my gut is telling me to go home.
But I didn’t.
And an hour later, I climbed off his boat, leaving him passed out in the cabin. My head spun from the booze, but it was the regret that had my stomach churning. I rushed off the pier and emptied the contents of my stomach into the grass.
What did I do?
I ambled up the hill toward the house, fishing my phone out of my pocket to call Ashley. Brittney, Jackson’s sister, was walking toward the parked cars.
“Hey, Brittney,” I called out.
She turned and eyed me with concern. “Ohmygod, are you okay?”
Shit. “Not really. I’m sick; drank too much, I think.” It wasn’t a lie, but only half the truth. “Could you give me a ride to Ashley’s?”
“Sure. Just try not to throw up in my car.” She was serious, but there was also a tease in her voice.
“Thank you.” I followed her to her car and climbed in.
On the ride back to Ashley’s apartment, I replayed tonight in my head. Wishing now that I would have just stayed home with Ashley, drunk wine, and watched movies.
But instead, I made the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter Ten
Bella
Before my eyeseven opened, my head was pounding. I turned over on my side as my eyes focused on two red pills and a glass of water on the nightstand. Instantly, the smell of bacon and coffee made my stomach growl. I could kiss Ashley right now.
After taking the pills, I padded out to the kitchen dressed in only my thin tank top and pajama shorts. The sight in front of me had my mouth dropping to the floor. Rhett, in Ashley’s kitchen, cooking eggs and bacon. He turned, his eyes darkening and dropping to my breasts. I followed his gaze to my nipples poking through the thin material.
He ripped his eyes away and back to the stove. “Why don’t you go get changed, then we’ll eat and talk.”
“Talk?” I stuttered as my stomach sank.
“Yes, but first, please go put on some clothes. Preferably sweatpants and a baggy sweatshirt.”
It was June in North Carolina. I didnotpack any sweatpants or sweatshirts. I rolled my eyes at Rhett’s ludicrous and somewhat teasing suggestion, resulting in me just standing there, unable to make my feet move, wondering what he was doing here and what he wanted to talk about. But after sighing, I did as he requested because I welcomed the distance from him right now.
I returned five minutes later after changing into yoga pants and a baggy T-shirt. “Where’s Ashley?” I asked as he handed me a steaming mug of coffee.
