Page 190 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 5
“We’re getting makeovers.”
The music got a little quieter, like he’d shut himself in a bathroom or something. “You don’t need a makeover, Brooklyn. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
I bit the inside of my lip. He wasn’t supposed to be saying stuff like that to me. “James…”
“How do you know if someone loves you or your money?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Yes you do. Because you love Matt for Matt. You don’t care about his money. You’re not like Rachel.”
“I thought you two made up?”
“Yeah. But I don’t want to be with her anymore. She doesn’t love me. People in love don’t cheat.”
“People make mistakes.” I’d certainly made plenty of them.
“I want to be with you,” James said. “Like in the shower. It was like you needed me. I think I like being needed. Rachel doesn’t need me. She just wants the life I can give her.”
“James…”
“I won’t kiss you. I just want to sit with you. I can’t remember the last time I was as happy as I was that night. Just sitting.”
“If I remember correctly, you also got your…you know…bitten. It couldn’t have been that great of a night.”
He laughed. “That part was not the best. But my dick is fine, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
He sighed. “I’m so fucking tired.”
Something about the way he said it made it seem like he wasn’t sleepy. More like tired of his life.
“Can you please tell me where you are?”
“I’m going to get the fuck out of this city as soon as I can. Is everyone in Delaware as nice as you? Maybe I’ll move there.”
“Not everyone. But in general…yeah, people seem friendlier.”
“Yeah, maybe I’ll go there. One day. I don’t know. I’m tired. You know?”
No, I didn’t know. That was the problem. All I knew was that I was worried about him. Ever since Matt told me he was scared James might try to hurt himself, I’d been worried. More now than before. Because it seemed like now I was the only one looking out for him. “Tell me where you are, James.”
“I’m in a bathroom.”
“That’s not helpful.”
He laughed. “I meant what I said when I proposed. I don’t think we’d be miserable together. I think you make me happy. I think you’re the only one that makes me happy.”
“Don’t say that.” My stomach twisted into more knots. It wasn’t fair for him to put his happiness on me. I couldn’t be his person.
“Why shouldn’t I say it? It’s true.” He sighed. “And you understand my misery too. I like drowning with you. Fuck. I want you even more because I can’t have you.”
“Just because we aren’t together doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. I’m a pretty great friend, James.”
“Friends with benefits?”
“Just friends,” I said.
