Page 25 of The Bet

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And, the bet never existed.”Let him think about that shit.Just another reason my life is screwed up.

“I don’t understand.”

“Tabitha had Kameron’s old phone and made a bet with Jim and then accepted my bet.”

“You’re shitting me. Does Chloe know?”

“Yep.” I pick up the check off my coffee table and shove it at Tony. This is the icing on the cake. I’ve never felt more disgusting in my life. There will be a throne – in hell – made especially for me. “She paid me five hundred dollars to fuck her.”

“Holy shit. You can’t take money to have sex with Chloe. You aren’t a prostitute.”

I bend over and put my head between my knees. “Then, why do I feel like one?”

“Dude, let me talk to her.”

“No. Don’t.” I jump up and pace the living room. “I’m chalking this up to a terrible week. Let’s pretend it never happened.”

“You don’t seem to be doing a bang-up job of that.” He studies the living room.

“Yeah.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “By the way, Jenna’s in town this weekend.”

“I see.” His jaw muscles tighten. “Bringing her boyfriend?”

“I have no idea. Jenna was too busy busting my balls over Chloe for me to ask.”

Tony stands, picks up another bottle, and throws it in the trash. “You need to get your head out of your ass. This place could use a cleaning service. Do you want me to send mine over?”

“Whatever.” I shrug. “It wouldn’t hurt.” Jenna is a stickler about cleanliness. As a nurse, it’s to be expected. It’ll give her one less reason to flip out. Not to mention, it’ll give Tony something to do besides mooning over my sister.

Chapter Eighteen

Chloe

I straighten my shoulders while standing outside the Cheesecake Factory. I wanted to confront Tabitha first thing in the morning but forced myself to wait until her shift was over.

As much as I want to shove it in her face that I know about the phony bet, I’m not going to ruin other people’s meals. It’s rude and tacky. Two things I don’t believe in being.

My knees shake as I stand on the sidewalk waiting for Tabitha to come outside. Confronting people is not something I’m comfortable with, but if there’s one thing dating Jim and being with Rich taught me, it’s that I’m done being a pussy.

I never get angry or want revenge.Jim – thank you for teaching me my worth.And I never grab what I want.Thank you, Rich, for that lesson learned.There will be no more blending into the woodwork. I’ll stand up for myself.

When the door opens, I scan the four staff members. None of them are Tabitha. The door opens again.There she is.

I march toward Tabitha. I’ve got to do this now before I lose my nerve. When Tabitha notices me, she stops in her tracks and glances behind her.Sweet cheeks, you’d better look for backup.“Tabitha, I need to talk to you.”

“What is it?” The blonde woman shoves her long hair over her shoulder.

“Stay away from me. I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but my personal life is none of your business.”

“What personal life?”

I growl at her snarky tone.Listen up, hussy. No, I’m going to be mature. Even if it kills me.

Car doors slam in the distance as the other workers get into their vehicles. Obviously, none of them are going to come to Tabitha’s rescue. Maybe they didn’t like her either.

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