Page 151 of Collateral Damage
Roxanna: Hey, I’ve missed you. Wanna have some fun? By the way, the leg thing doesn’t bother me one bit. You’re sexy no matter what.
I stiffen, considering my options. Since the accident, I’ve tried to hook up with several women and haven’t been able to follow through. It’s like a different person takes over, and I freeze up. It doesn’t matter if I’m into it or if she’s the most seductive creature on the planet. I can’t seem to go there with anybody.
It’s been months and nothing.
I think of Roxanna’s sultry curves and raven hair, and my cock twitches. I’d love to try again with her, and I will, but I’m going to have to reclaim some of my masculinity first. Even if it’s the toxic-masculine part. Even if it changes who I am.
I’m permanently changed, anyway. The Laurences can feel some of this pain for once.
“Fuck it,” I mutter, slipping my phone into my pocket and striding into the party like I don’t have a care in the world.
Instead of finding my father like I had intended a minute ago, I zero in on where Sybil is dancing with Perry.
Perfect, exactly the people I wanted to see together.
Two seconds later, I tower over her with a rakish smirk and a devil-may-care attitude. “Mind if I cut in?” I ask, secure in the knowledge she would very much mind if she knew what I’ve planned for the two of us.
Sixty-Five
Sybil
Present - Age 27
I’m tempted to spend the entire weekend rotting away in my bed and feeling sorry for myself, but that’s not my style. I already cried myself to sleep, and I’m sick of it. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning, and there’s so much I could be doing, but first I need to brush myself off and make a plan for my future.
A future thatmightnot include working at Laurence International is hard to swallow. If I only have one gala fundraiser left, I’m going to make sure it’s the best one I’ve ever hosted. After that, I’ll figure it out. As devastating as it is to be pushed out of my own legacy, I’m not going to let it ruin my life. Nonprofit fundraising is my passion, and I’ll keep doing it no matter what.
First, I need to talk to Mom. She came to the city first thing when she got the news about the show. It’s nice that she has my back, but I doubt she knows the full extent of this betrayal. As tempted as I am to call her and vent, I think this is a conversation we should have in person.
I shower, give my hair a blowout, and apply a full face of makeup, then I put on my favorite black high-heeled boots and a brand-new cashmere white sweater-dress, pairing the look with my black Birkin bag. Even though I feel like shit, I’m going to look good.
Stepping onto the busy SoHo sidewalk, my heels click against the pavement, and I tug my bag close under my arm, searching for a cab. A gust of early-autumn air blows my hair off my shoulders, but I barely feel it.
Cooper leans against a sleek black town car that’s parked on the curb, his hands shoved into the pockets of a fitted wool coat. His jaw is tight, his expression is unreadable, but the second his midnight eyes lock on mine, I know exactly what he’s feeling.
Exhaling sharply, I attempt to walk past him. If I pretend he isn’t there, then he can’t stop me. I don’t want to deal with whatever lies he came here to spew. I already know he was involved with my career ruin.
Right as I pass him, he pushes away from the car and steps directly into my path.
“We’re not breaking up,” he says sharply.
I falter. “Excuse me?”
“You don’t get to end it with a text and then block me.”
I jut my chin up. “It’s already over, Cooper. What does it matter if it’s through text or in person? You lied and screwed me over. What did you think was going to happen?” I shake my head. “Actually, I don’t want to know.”
His eyes narrow. “You’re a bad liar.”
“Well, you’re a good one,” I snap, and he winces. I can already feel my eyes burning, and I fucking hate it. Iwill notcry in front of him.
“You didn’t give me a chance to explain. You know me, Sybil. Does this bullshit sound like something I would want for you?”
Hope can be the cruelest of the emotions; it’s there one second and gone the next. “I thought I knew you… but I need you to answer one question. Did you know this might happen?”
His lips thin, and a moment of hesitation passes over his gaze. He doesn’t even need to say it, but he does. “Yes.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
