Page 86 of Trusting Tanner
“It’s not like she’s going to tell me anything I don’t already know. And I know anything she says about you will be a lie.” She shrugged. “Besides, if I don’t hear her out, she’ll probably just be a pain all night.”
He dragged his hand through his hair. “Okay. I’ll go get us something to drink.” Clutching her chin, he brushed his lips over hers. “I love you.”
A warm, tingly feeling buzzed through her. “I love you, too.” When he walked away, she returned to where Rebecca stood. “So, what’s up?” She crossed her arms.
“I miss living with you.” Rebecca pouted.
Juliana narrowed her eyes. Was this for real? They did nothing but fight and annoy each other. Why on earth would she miss that?
“I never got along with my last roommate,” Rebecca continued. “And I know we had our problems, but I consider you a friend, Jules.”
“Uh…” She had no idea how to respond.
“It’s stupid we let a guy come between us, and I’d really love it if you’d move back in.”
Her jaw dropped, and then she snapped it shut quickly. “First of all, I can’t move back in. I just signed a lease. And second, a guy didn’t come between us. You did, Rebecca. Even if we forget the fact that you were constantly kicking me out of the room and bringing people over all the time, you flat-out lied to my face about having sex with Tanner.”
“I didn’t lie to you about him.” She shook her head. “I really wish you’d see how he’s playing you.”
Juliana gritted her teeth. She knew clear to her soul Rebecca was a dirty liar, but that knowledge didn’t make it any easier to stand there and listen to her talk about Tanner. “If you really do consider me a friend, you’ll stop acting like this.”
Rebecca scowled and shook her head. “Guess the jokes on me for thinking we could move past our differences.” With a huff, she turned on her heel and stormed off.
All Juliana could do was stare after her in disbelief.
“Doesn’t look like that went too well.” Tanner handed her a beer.
She took one sip, and her stomach recoiled. She forced back a gag and scrunched up her face. “No, it didn’t. She still insists you and she have hooked up, and then she tried to guilt me into moving back in with her.”
“What the fuck?”
“My thoughts exactly.” She set the beer on the nearest flat surface and rubbed her stomach.
“You all right?” Tanner’s hand was on her back, rubbing along her spine.
“No, I haven’t been feeling that great. I think I’m going to head home and lie down.” Sleep would help. It always did.
“Am I invited?” His tone was as uncertain as his actions had been earlier.
If he came home with her, they’d end up having sex, and while that was a tempting idea, her stomach couldn’t handle that type of activity. She shook her head. “Not tonight, but I’ll call you in the morning, okay?” She gave his cheek a kiss then left before he could convince her to change her mind.
Chapter Thirty
I’m losing her.
That was the only thought in his mind as he watched Juliana walk out of Alpha house. Tanner downed his beer and then reached for the one Juliana had left, guzzling that one, too. He fucked things up because he couldn’t get a handle on his jealousy. But dammit, he knew there was something more going on with Devon, and with the history those two had… He had every right to be scared shitless.
How many more times could he apologize? He messed up, but that didn’t mean things had to end between them. They could get past this, if only she’d give him a chance. But she was shutting him out, and that wasn’t going to solve a damn thing.
He wandered into the kitchen in search of more alcohol. It was the only thing that would stop him from thinking. Or from getting in his car and driving over to Jules’s apartment. If she needed a little more time away from him, fine, he’d give it to her, but he wouldn’t let her go without a fight. He found two more cold beers in the fridge and claimed them for himself. After wandering around the house for almost an hour, mingling and doing a few shots with Spencer, Tanner’s eyes became heavy. He yawned.
“Whoa. You’re not looking too good.” Lucas slapped Tanner on the back. The jarring motion almost had him throwing up all over the floor.
The air in the house was stifling, and sweat beaded on his forehead. “Yeah, I’m not feeling so hot.” Juliana had left because she wasn’t feeling well. Maybe there was something going around and he’d caught it from her.
“I hope you’re not driving tonight.” Lucas frowned. “Seriously, man, you’re pale as a zombie who’s been hit by a semi.”
“Thanks.” Tanner grunted.
