Page 23 of The Bet

“Are you sure? Did you see the phone?”

He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t see the phone she was using, but I did see Kameron’s phone. It isn’t the same number, so I believe him.”

Heat floods through my chest, up to my neck, and to the tips of my ears.How dare she. The bitch.“That’s ridiculous. I don’t even know what I did to her that pissed her off.”

“Just being you.”

“Right. Every girl wants to be me, and every guy wants me. Get a grip, Rich.” I pause for a second as everything sinks in. “There was never a bet?”

“No.”

“Shit.” I glance down and open my hands. The half-moon indents from my fingernails are deep. I’m surprised they aren’t bleeding. I rub the spots to give me something to do besides feeling sorry for myself. “So we had sex for no reason.”

I want him to deny it. To say we had sex because he loves me. To beg me to make love to him again. To be his forever.

“Yes.”

Fuck.My eyes snap shut. His words are like a dagger slicing through my heart. Without the bet, Rich wouldn’t have had sex with me. Somehow, I must make this right. I dragged him into this mess, and now I must fix it. I inhale and open my eyes. “I’ll pay you.”

“No, you won’t.” He raises his hands as if to ward me off.

“No. I’ll pay you.” I march over to my purse and pull out my wallet. My eyes sting as I grasp the blue bound checkbook. “Will you take a check? I don’t carry around that big of bills.”

“I’m not taking your fucking money.”

“You deserve it. You took the bet for me. I’m paying.” As I write the numbers, my arms feel like they’re being held down by anvils, and my eyes fill with tears.Stop. You aren’t crying in front of him. Not until he’s gone.

I rip it out, march over to him, and shove out my hand. “Here.”

“Chloe, this is stupid.”

“No. I honor my bets. Here. It’s yours.” I grab his hand, open his fist, and clasp his fingers together. “Now, leave.”

I hadn’t meant to sound so abrasive, but I’m about to crumble. He’s got to go before I humiliate myself. “Go.”

“Damn it, Chloe.” His jaw is set, and the veins in his neck bulge.

“Please, Rich. Just go. Now.”

He closes his eyes and sighs, “Okay. I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have.”

I turned on my heel and run to the stairs without looking back to see if he leaves. I can’t look back as the tears stream down my cheeks.What have I done? How will I face him ever again?When I reach thesteps, I slam the door behind me. We work a block away from each other. And Jenna. Jenna will be back this weekend.

Chapter Seventeen

Rich

Friday night, I raise the beer to my lips and down half the bottle.Knock. Knock.I sink lower into the cushions and stare into the dark. Jenna isn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow, so whoever it is can move on. It’s probably one of my neighbors wanting a cup of sugar.

Sugar?I growl.Sugar reminds me of Chloe. I’m never eating anything sweet again.

“Rich, open up.” Tony’s irritated voice pierces through the quiet of my living room.

I close my eyes, chug the remainder of my beer, and slam the bottle down on the coffee table with a thud.Great. Just what I need. More lectures.

“Open up, Jackass.”

“Shit,” I mutter as I hoist myself out of the recliner and meander to the door. When I reach the entryway, my knee hits the end table. “Fuck.” I bend down and clutch mykneecap. A puffed welt is already swelling on my leg.

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