Page 132 of Biggest Player
“Jealousy has a way of rearing its ugly head.”
“He is not jealous.” She keeps shaking her head, quite certain her ex’s ego isn’t bruised. “Trust me, Colton does not have a jealous bone in his body.”
I’m a guy and know how guys think, and that dude is jealous or my name isn’t Dex Motherfucking Lansing.
“Wanna make a bet?”
I try keeping my thoughts to myself; pushing the issue will not help right now. But this is me we’re talking about, and I have a tendency to blurt out whatever the fuck is inside my brain.
“Maybe he’s stressed out,” Margot tries. “Learning your ex is dating someone new is a lot to handle, especially when you hear about it on the news. I was single a long, long time, and he’s not used to seeing me with someone.”
I almost snort. Is she serious right now? “He can date someone, butyoucan’t?”
Her expression remains troubled. “I just don’t want whatever that was to affect Wyatt. She needs stability.”
“I’m sure the reason he was being a dick was from shock.” That’s putting it mildly and as kindly as I can say it. “We’ll make sure Wyatt has stability, I promise.”
Obviously I have no idea how to makethathappen, but stability sounds pretty damn good—I mean that, I truly do. How hard can stability be?
Margot looks at me and smiles. “Thanks, Dex. It means a lot.”
“Maybe ...” I swallow, hating the words about to come out of my mouth, but I say them anyway. “Maybe I should head home. Let you clear your head. Process.”
Give her some space. Unless she doesn’t want me to leave?
She frowns, nibbling her lip again, clearly torn.
“I don’t want you to go,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “But maybe you’re right? I should probably give myself the space to process everything and maybe talk to Colton again once he chills out.”
I nod, even though the last thing I want is her to contact that jealous douche nozzle.
“You can text me if you need anything,” I let her know, giving her hand a gentle squeeze and tugging her into an embrace. Kiss the top of her head. “And we can talk more later. Or tomorrow. Okay?”
“’Kay. Thanks for understanding.”
I lean down to kiss her softly on the lips, lingering there, bummed that I just told her I was going to leave and give her space.
“Text me later,” I whisper against her mouth before finally pulling back, suddenly feeling alone.
Chapter 30
Margot
I let him leave.
I let him leave, and I didn’t want him to.
In fact, the one thing I don’t wantisto be alone.
The house is empty again.
Silent.
Wyatt is obviously at her dad’s, and when Dex offered to give me space, I agreed that was for the best, but in all honesty it’s the last thing I need.
He’s right, though; I need a hot second to process what the hell just happened between Colton and me, and between Colton and Dex. Colton’s words rear back at me in flashes.
I really thought there was a chance we would get back together someday, but I guess not.
