Page 145 of Collateral Damage
Her hungry eyes flick to me, and I snap.
In my mind, I stride over confidently, but in reality, it’s more of a drunken shuffle.
“We need to talk,” I tell her and although her expression darkens, she gives me a reluctant nod.
We leave Mr. Bank Teller, and I get a little smug at the fact that he looks pissed off.
I lead her to the edge of the crowd. It’s so loud we can’t really talk. Not that I’m even sure what I’m going to say.
“What do you want?” she asks, and I stare at her mouth for a little too long. “Cooper?”
“Are you going to kiss that guy at midnight?” I ask, words slurring.
Her eyes narrow. “Yeah, that’s what people do. Speaking of which, I need to get back there. The countdown is about to start.”
I stare at her. No words. Drunk off my ass.
She turns to leave, but I snatch her wrist. “You don’t even know that guy. Did you just meet him tonight?”
Her cheeks go pink. “So what? You sleep with women you barely know all the time, and don’t pretend otherwise. We went to college together, remember? I know how you are.”
That was a long time ago.
That wasbefore.
I chuckle darkly. “I’ve grown up, Sybil. It’s called maturing. Maybe you should consider it.”
Her eyes round, and I instantly feel like the world’s biggest asshole, but I’m so fucked up and can’t seem to stop myself from arguing with her. Anything to get her attention.
“Why do you have to do this? Every time we try to have a conversation, you’re a complete jerk. We used to be friends.”
“You broke up with me,” I say. “Not the other way around.”
“Broke up? We weren’t together.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You’re drunk.” Her voice goes quiet, edged with disappointment. “It’s really not good for you, Cooper. It makes you… different.”
“Different?” Yeah, a lot of things made me different.
She frowns. “And difficult.”
“So you’re perfect?” The words spill out. “I’m a drunk because my life is a fucking mess, thanks to your fucking family. You’re out here partying and letting anyone stick his dick in you.”
The countdown starts,ten, night, eight…
She stares at me like she can’t believe me, like she doesn’t know who I am anymore.
Her eyes narrow, and she steps closer. “Maybe you still have some growing up to do, Cooper. Losing your leg fucking sucked, I know, but I lost mydadthat day. You’re not the only one who has suffered a loss, but you are the only one drinking like a fish and acting like a fucking victim.”
Three, two, one. Happy New Year!
For a split second, everything is frozen.
The noise of the crowd fades, and her pretty green eyes stare at me, those lips parted. I foolishly imagine a universe in which I kiss her, but that’s quickly replaced by the reality of her words.
Iama fucking victim. I didn’t do shit to cause my leg to get destroyed by that boat. She did. She told Gregory about Arden and Ethan. She spurred her father on during his tirade. After everything went to shit, she didn’t take responsibility for her actions.
