Page 11 of Force Play
“You saw a confident woman who has no issue standing up for herself. And that’s exactly who I still am. You just don’t like that this side of me is now directed at you.”
He lets out a deep breath. “Of course, I don’t like that being directed at me. I miss you sometimes, you know.”
I just stare at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
He shoves his hands into his back pockets. “No, I’m not kidding. We were good together.”
I can’t hold back my laughter. He’s supposedly never cheated on Anna, but here the prick is reminiscing onourrelationship.
“We weren’t good together. I could barely even get you to have sex with me because you saved all of that for your mistress.” I shoot him a smile with all the faux-sweetness I can muster. “And on that note, I’ve gotta go. Apartments don’t search for themselves.”
“You need an apartment?”
Shit.
I didn’t mean to tell him about that.
“No. Why would I need an apartment?”
Matt shakes his head. “You tell me. You’re the one searching for an apartment.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You literally just said you were.”
“I don’t recall ever saying that.”
“Still as stubborn as ever,” he chuckles. “I’ve got room for you if you need it.”
“Nope, I don’t need it. Besides, what would your girlfriend think about your ex-girlfriend living with you?”
“Well, you apparently need somewhere to stay.”
“No, I don’t,” I lie. “I… have a new place to live already. With a roommate.”
Oh God, please don’t ask for more information. Please don’t let me fall into this trap just to save face.
“Who?”
Goddammit.
My stomach churns, but I force myself to say it. Because, once again, I’m too prideful for my own good. I can’t let my ex think I’m falling apart.
“Ari.”
“What?”
“What?” I shrug, pretending to be completely unbothered. Like this is totally a normal thing I would do and not a last-ditch attempt to seem put-together.
“You don’t even like Ari, Luc,” Matt sighs. “Why the hell would you live with him?”
Instead of coming clean, I just dig the lie deeper because I can’t help myself. “Turns out that he’s not unbearable when you aren’t around.”
Matt stares at me for a moment before just shaking his head and giving up the fight. “Whatever you say. But you know my number if you change your mind.” And he finally walks off.
Likehellwould I change my mind, never for Matt. I don’t even want to be in his presence anymore.
I just need to find somewhere to stay.
