Page 93 of Loved Out Loud
My body stiffens. It feels like every muscle has gone taut. A toxic mixture of shame and embarrassment fills me. I used to find his sarcasm so attractive.
Did it always have this edge to it, though?
“Why are you here, Greg? To see me or berate me?”
“Why are you acting like this, Hazel?” he volleys back at me. “Do you think you’re some sort of big shot now that you’ve had a taste of success? I would have thought you’d have more appreciation for me.”
“I do appreciate you.”
“Then act like it.” His voice snaps at me like a whip.
My skin flames as my body goes numb. Cracks form in the happiness and confidence I’ve been building the past few weeks. “I’m sorry.”
His face softens. “It’s okay. We’ve both had a long day.” He reaches out and tries to cup my cheek.
I flinch away.
His lips press together in a line. “What is it?” he asks, exasperated.
“I’m seeing someone.”
He cocks a brow. “Who?”
“Stone.”
“The guy in the band?”
“Yes.”
He laughs. A full, mocking belly laugh. I see nothing of the man I used to care for in his scornful face.
“Hazel,” he says my name like I’m a child. “Are you sure you’re not just conjuring up a relationship in your mind? He’s amusician for fuck’s sake. He’s probably fucking a new girl every night.”
“He’s not.”
“How do you know? Are you with him all the time?”
“Pretty much. He’s moved me into his hotel suite.”
That sobers him. “Hazel.” He pours concern into his voice. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“What are his intentions?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you sure he’s not using you for something? Good publicity or something?”
“What?” His words hit me like a truck. “No. Why is it so hard for you to think that maybe he likes me? That maybe we have a lot in common and get along well? That he’s attracted to me?”
“I’m sure he enjoys having a warm body in his bed every night, but there can’t be much you two have in common. Isn’t he a drug addict? What are you thinking?”
I grab my purse, pulling a twenty out and slapping it on the table. “I’m done here.”
His hand wraps around my wrist. “I thought you were smarter than this.”
“Get your hands off her,” Dan is at my side immediately.
