Page 54 of The Playboy's Playbook

“You son of a bitch. I spent six months away because your ass lied. You know it and so does that entire corrupt police force. Just cause your dad’s the sheriff,” I spit, anger bubbling in my chest.

“And what’re you gonna do about it? You gone sick that pretty little arm piece on me? Man, she is quite the catch. It’s a wonder how she ended up with you.”

At the mention of Laila, I abandon all restraint and this time I grab Randy by his collar and jack him up. This asshole actually has the nerve to laugh as he stands on his toes.

“Jail did something right because it looks like you finally learned to be a man. It ain’t so nice having someone talk about your girl like that, ain’t it?” Randy asks, a smirk on his face.

“If you ever mention her again, I swear, I’ll –”

“What? Beat me up? Please. You got off easy only having six months, but I’d make sure you’d get a much longer sentence if you touch me again. You got a history of running through women like a tomb raider. If you think that for a second that pretty one you got right now is going to last, whew, I feel sorry when you break her heart for the next best thing.”

I tighten my grip on Randy and get closer to his face. “Shut. Up.”

“Ah, well. Maybe you won’t even have to cheat on her to break her heart. You’re doing that just fine right now,” Randy chides.

My grip loosens a little, but I don’t drop it completely. “What are you talking about?”

“Hey, sugar. Don’t mind us,” Randy says as he tilts his head to the side. I turn to follow his gaze and see Laila standing there, tears brimming her eyes.

“Laila,” I start, but she turns and runs in the opposite direction. I start after her, but turn back to Randy. “We’re not done.”

“Oh, I think we are, kid. Have fun getting your bitch back.”

I clutch my fist, ready to swing when I’m stopped. I turn and see Luke standing behind me, his hold on me tight, but his glare on Randy burning a hole through his head.

“Move on, McClain. Cause the minute I let go, I can’t promise I’ll be able to stop him,” my best friend says venomously.

Randy might try me alone, but he’s not going to try me with someone else around. He nods and practically runs in the opposite direction.

Luke lets go of my hand and I immediately turn to run after Laila. She’s just now walking out of the store, so I follow her into the parking lot. “Laila, I promise it wasn’t what it looked like.” I jog lightly to catch up to her, grabbing her elbow when I get close enough. She turns to me and my heart immediately breaks at her tear-stained face.

“Baby,” I begin.

“I’m not your baby! Stop calling me that!” she yells.

“Laila! If you would please shut up and listen to me! He was saying the worst things about you and I wasn’t going to let him run his mouth and get away with it!”

“So you resort to physical violence that could put you back in jail. Real smart, Matthew. You deserve an award!” She claps her hands in a sarcastic manner. It’s comforting to know that her firecracker spirit isn’t all gone.

“I don’t give a damn about going back to jail! I have you and that’s all I need!”

“Had! You had me and that was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”

My heart breaks even more at her words and the venom behind them. I shake my head and step closer to her. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do! There is nothing you can say or do that will repair this. I thought I knew you, but I guess I was wrong. You haven’t changed at all. You still play with people’s emotions and I let your words and false promises cloud my judgement. I let you ruin me when I should’ve walked away when I had the chance.”

“It seems like no matter what I do, shit always happens, but I’m trying, Laila. I’m trying for you!” I cry in frustration.

“Just…leave me alone.” Laila turns on her heels and gets in her car, slamming her door behind her. She backs up and leaves me standing in the grocery store parking lot alone. As she drives off, I feel like she ran over my heart with her car. I blink back the tears that want to fall.

“Matty,” Luke says, placing his hand on my shoulder. I push him off and make my way to my truck, Luke following close behind. “Matty, talk to me.”

I stop and turn to my best friend. “Thank you for stepping in, but I just need to be alone right now. I’ll talk to you later.”

Luke nods in defeat and pulls me into a tight hug before going to his truck and driving away. I lean against mine and blow out a puff of air, tilting my head to the black sky.

“What a mess, Matty. What a fucking mess,” I mumble to myself.

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