Page 73 of Clashing
“I hit a nerve. Ex?”
“No.” My chin dipped to avoid eye contact. “It’s this guy who’s friends with my uncle. I’ve been hooking up with him for a while. It was supposed to be no strings, but I fucked up. I caught feelings and he didn’t and . . .” I lifted a shoulder. “So, that’s that. I wish I were fully over him, but I’m not. He’s not the kind of guy you get over easily.”
“Maybe you need another guy over you to forget about him.” She nudged me. “Plus, if he didn’t have feelings for you, he sounds like an idiot.”
My lips twitched up. “Thanks, Hannah. I don’t know if I’m ready to be with someone else. He really did a number on me.”
“Let’s see how tomorrow goes. If you’re not feeling it, ignore Collin’s flirting because he’ll definitely be flirting. If you are, then good. Rebounds are healthy. Hey, why don’t I pick you up and we get ready at my house together, then we can carpool?”
“That sounds good.”
I wasn’t great at makeup, but maybe she could help me.
“Okay, girl, call you later.” She skipped off to her car.
For the first time in a while, I entered the bar with a smile on my face. I hadplans. With potential friends. Actual plans. Like normal people. Typically, I was a social recluse, but I did crave some kind of connection.Having a girl to hang out with is nice.
I had an extra spring in my step as I made my way along the hallway toward where Dan would probably be surrounded by regulars. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but glance toward a certain someone’s regular seat.
My world halted. My stomach churned.
A beautiful woman in a show-stopping dress stood with Ryker, her hand on his shoulder as she whispered to him. Then he stood. Turned. Followed her toward the exit.
I’m gonna be sick.Right before they stepped outside, he put his hand on her back.
We weren’t together but did he have to flaunt it in front of me like that? He could have any girl at any bar, but he picked her uphere? Where heknewI’d be? I balled my fists and forced back tears as I approached Dan and Mom. I had to be nice for Dan’s sake.
Dan grinned up at me, the most he’d smiled in weeks. “Hey, honey.”
“Hey.” I pecked his cheek. “Having fun?”
“I am.” He glanced at the bar. “Ah, they’re gone already. Was hoping to ask Ryker for a favor.”
Now the universe was baiting me.Don’t ask, Scarlett. Don’t ask. You don’t want to know.No, I didn’t want to know, but I couldn’t help myself. “Do you know who that was?” Maybe I misread the situation. Maybe she was a relative, and I was upset over nothing.
“That was Natalia. Ryker’s married friend.” Dan chuckled, shaking his head. “We won’t see Ryker for the rest of the weekend. Those two are like rabbits anytime she’s in town.”
Like rabbits?Married?“She’s married?” The blood drained from my face. I didn’t see him as that kind of guy.
“Yep.”
And now the spiral plunged deeper.If she were some random girl, sure, but he’d been with her before. They had history. And he was here with her when he knew I could see them.
Mom pursed her lips, but I shook my head.Be nice. Divert. Talk aboutanythingelse.“I’m going out tomorrow with Hannah and a couple other people from my class.”
“Oh, good.” Dan patted the seat next to him. “Don’t drink too much.”
“Define too much.” I mostly said it to bait another lecture because I didn’t have it in me to focus for banter.
My gaze drifted to the door. How could he do that to me? He’d been so sweet, then he didthat? We weren’t together but it was insensitive. I told him I had strong feelings. The least he could do was not flaunt his latest fuck right in front of me.
Dan elbowed me. “Scarlett.”
“What?” I snapped my gaze to him.
“I asked where you’re going tomorrow.”
“Oh, uh, some club I don’t know. Hannah’s picking me up and we're going to her house early to get ready, then we’re riding together.”
