Page 128 of Love Undiscovered
Chapter 35
Remi
I immediately begin to pace the minute Chance is out the door. I need to take the edge off my anger, because right now I feel like doing something reckless. When I was younger, that something included cutting myself. But I’m old enough now to realize cuts leave scars, and I don’t like scars. So now that’s what drinking is for. Being reckless.
I grab a bottle of tequila and do a shot. Then another. Enjoying the warmth that begins spreading through my body. I do a third shot because the first two felt so good. But it’s not enough. I resume pacing and text Kat a ‘911’ warning her that I’m going to video-call her soon. I know Kat is home because Brad was going to make her some kind of special dinner tonight. Just like I know that Lexie is at her winery doing things that winemakers do when the wine needs their attention.
I hate to interrupt Kat when she has quality time with Brad, but I need her. I pull up her contact on my phone and move to hit video call. Then stop and laugh at myself. I’ll interrupt Kat’s sexy time with no problem, but I leave Lexie to her wine. Which only serves to reinforce to me the respect that I have for work, versus the lack of respect that I have for relationships. But if tonight has proven anything, I’m right to feel that way.
Logically, part of me knows that I shouldn’t be mad at Chance for having a bet when I had one too. And usually I rule by logic. But right now, my emotions are winning.
Pacing resumes.
My thoughts are spinning out of control.
Kat is going to have to talk me off the proverbial ledge and make me sane again. I feel betrayed and hurt and conflicted. I finally opened up to that asshole and this is what I get in return. Which is exactly why I should have remembered that I can trust no one.
Except for Kat and Lexie.
I pull Kat’s contact back up, just as my doorbell rings.
WTF?
I storm to the door, flinging it open, not even bothering with checking the peephole.
Chance stands there looking at his feet, a flush creeping up his neck.
“I'm sorry,” I say. “Was I not clear before? I don't want you anywhere around me. I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. You're a pathetic excuse for a man. I hate you.” I move to slam the door, but he blocks it with his hand.
He clears his throat. “My bike is in your garage.”
“Excuse me?”
“I know you don't want to see me. I'm trying to abide by your wishes. But my bike is in your garage, so I can't leave.”
“Walk. Call a cab. Hitchhike for all I care.”
My fingernails bite into the palms of my hands as I clench my fists. I've never wanted to punch someone as badly as I want to punch him.
His head hangs low, but his eyes peek up at me. A sucker punch straight to the gut. I step back and hold the door open for him.
I follow him through the kitchen and into the garage. He pushes the wall button to open the door. Then turns back toward me. “Don't forget to lock up after I leave.”
“Don't fucking tell me what to do.”
He closes his eyes and takes a breath. When he opens them again, I can see they are slightly watery. “For what it's worth, I am sorry,” he says. He holds one hand up, like he's going to touch me, then drops it to his side. I stand there, suddenly not sure if I would have allowed the touch or not.
He rolls his bike outside, then waits for me to close the garage.
Pieces of him disappear as the big door rolls down its tracks until there's nothing left of Chance Bauer at all. I hear the bike start up as I walk back into the house and hit the button to video call Kat.
I expect it to take her a few rings to answer. What I don’t expect is for Brad to answer right away.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he says.
“I’m going to need you to beat someone up for me,” I tell him.
“You got it, baby girl. You just let me know who and I’m on it.” He flexes his muscles and pushes out his chest, growling slightly at the screen.
