Page 10 of Letters From a Broken Heart
I clench my jaw so hard it hurts, but it’s the only way I can keep from lashing out right now. Jack’s a jerk and he knows it.
“Nothing, Tay. Everything is normal.”
My gaze flickers towards Jack, wondering if he understands my double meaning. As normal, Jack got what he wanted. He won.
His smile slips for a moment and his brows draw together, but neither one of us says a word. He’s realizing he screwed up, but he can't break up with her. If he thought me asking Taylor out would take her away from him, what does he think will happen if he breaks up with her?
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the memory. I'm not sure if I’ll ever forgive Jack for stealing the only woman I’ve ever loved. He could’ve had anyone he wanted, but he had to go after the one woman I’ve shown interest in.
Turning on the cold knob, I splash my face with icy water, trying my hardest to pull myself away from the past. There’s nothing I can do about it now.
No matter how much I’d love to have Taylor in my arms every night for the rest of my life, she was only there because she had a bad dream and I needto remember that.
She’ll never look at me the way she looked at Jack. She’ll never fling herself into my arms and press her lips against mine.
But when she started running her fingers through my hair and over my body, for a second there, I could pretend she was mine. And it felt perfect. Right. Like it was always meant to be.
Twisting off the water, I dry my face on one of the small hand towels Taylor has hanging next to the sink and flip off the light. I don’t bother checking on Taylor, I need some space for a few seconds. A chance to get my head on straight and remember what my position is in her life.
I'm grabbing drinks for both of us when there’s a knock on the door. I pull open the door as I'm fishing my wallet out of my pocket.
“Holy crap,” someone mutters under their breath. I glance up to find the delivery girl’s gaze locked on me.
“Um… Excuse me?” My brows furrow as I take her in.
She’s probably in her late teens. She’s cute, though way too young for me. But she’s staring at me like a lion eyeing their next meal. I shift uncomfortably, noticing way too late that I'm not wearing a shirt.
“You might be the hottest man I’ve ever seen,” she blurts out. To her credit, I don’t think it was an accident, she doesn’t blush or anything once the words topple out of her mouth.
“Uh… Thanks? Sorry, I didn’t realize I wasn’t wearing a shirt. Let me go-”
“I’d actually rather you didn’t.” She grins, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. “Most guys who answer the door shirtless look like they’re fifteen months pregnant. Just let me enjoy this.”
“Ok… How much do I owe you?” I flip open my wallet, trying to focus on anything other than the drooling woman in front of me.
“A date? Maybe two? That should cover it.” She blinks up at me.
“Yeah, I think sixty dollars should be more than enough.” I tug the bills out of my wallet and slap them in her hand before grabbing the bag of food and slamming the door in her face. “What the heck is wrong with people?” I mutter under my breath.
“You just gave her something to dream about for the rest of the night.” Taylor chuckles from her spot on the couch.
“Stop, she was like eighteen or nineteen.” I roll my eyes.
“And you’re twenty-three.” Taylor rolls her eyes right back at me. “It’s not that big of an age gap and womenloveage gap romances.”
“I'm not going to ask out the pizza delivery girl, Tay.”
“But she thinks you’re so hot, East! You’re going to break her little heart.”
“I don’t care,” I grumble under my breath.
“You’re not dating anyone. What’s the harm in taking her out for a date or two?” Taylor moves so she’s sitting on her knees and she’sbouncing in her seat.
I don’t want to talk about this, but this is the happiest I’ve seen her since Jack died. I almost want to let her keep teasing me, just so I can see her smile.
“Because I'm not interested in her,” I mumble as I grab two plates out of the cabinet and place them on the coffee table with the pizza, cheesesteak, fries, and drinks.
“Easton, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you interested in anyone!”
