Page 129 of Something Tattered
I waited.
He didn't go.
Instead, he said, "Next time I stop by, maybe you'll be in a better mood."
I thought of all the grief he'd given me over the last few weeks. "Or maybe," I said, "I'll slam the door in your face and remind you that you're supposed to call first."
And with that, I stepped back and did the unthinkable. Ididslam the door in his face, and afterward, ignored the knocking and doorbell-ringing that followed.
Immature? Maybe. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to care. When he finally went away, I stomped up the stairs and took a long, hot shower in hopes of washing away my irritation.
It did no good. I spent the whole shower thinking about Joel and our stupid argument. It wasn't only that I missed him like crazy. It was the grim realization that I'd revealed more than I should've.
It had been a risk, and not only to my heart. People would pay big money for the sad story that I'd so recklessly shared. I could practically see the headlines now.
Heiress Facing Financial Ruin.
Trouble with Blaire Estate
Stud Lover Tells All
I gave a small shake of my head. My imagination was running too wild for my own good. Even in my darkest thoughts, I didn't truly believe that Joel would be that cruel.
Or maybe I was just being naïve. After all, I'd trusted Derek, and look what a jackasshe'dbecome.
I was just drying off when the doorbell rang again. Standing naked in my bathroom, I tensed.
Could it be Joel? The odds weren'ttotallyterrible. After all, Derek had already stopped by, so that ruled him out. Plus, Joel had left his phone. If nothing else, he'd come back for that, right?
I dove for the clean clothes that I'd already laid out and scrambled to put them on. I flew down the stairs with no shoes and wet hair, only to find myself disappointed.
It was Derek again, delivering what? A freaking box of donuts. He told me it was a peace offering. I toldhimit was a stupid joke that I didn't appreciate.
I appreciated it even less when Derek made fun of me for my wet hair and disheveled clothing.
Some peace offering.
I refused the donuts and once again, slammed the door in his face.
It was getting to be a bad habit, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Just like earlier, I ignored his knocking, along with the doorbell, and tried to go about my business. After fifteen minutes or so, he went away at last.
Or so I thought. A few minutes later, just as I was finishing making my bed, the doorbell rang again.
Disgusted with the whole thing, I stomped down the stairs, determined to give Derek another piece of my mind.
But this time, when I yanked the door open, itwasn'tDerek.
It was Joel.
Chapter 58
Standing on my porch, he looked too good to be real. I couldn't read his facial expression, but the rest of him looked incredible, even in basic jeans and a loose T-shirt.
I felt myself swallow. My hair was still wet, and I ran a nervous hand through the damp tendrils. "Uh, hi."
After what seemed like forever, he finally smiled. "Hi."
Something about that smile made me feel gooey all over, and I had to resist a sudden urge to throw myself into his arms.
