Page 10 of Tell Me Everything
I splashed cold water on my face. No wonder Alex looked at me with such pity; I looked pathetic. I hopped in a pair of jeans and ankle boots before heading downstairs. No matter how low I felt, I wasn't going to show him any more weaknesses. I wouldn't let another person walk over me like my father did.
Alex was waiting for me by the front door. Without glancing his way, I left the house.
“Involving my mother was a low blow.”
“You left me no choice.”
Just great.
“There shouldn't even be a choice. Just leave me alone and get out of my life. Then you can go on pretending I don't exist.”
“Where's the fun in that?”
My blood ran cold. I saw red.
“What?” I yelled. “Am I a joke to you? You’re spending time with me because you want to beentertained? So what, you want to get me into bed? Don't think I'm not aware of your reputation. I know what kind of person you are, and I don't have the time or the energy for that.”
Was this just a game to him? It was, wasn't it? There was no way he was here because he cared about me. I already knew that. But playing games... No. I'd hoped he was better than that. I'dbeen wrong.
Alex laughed as if I'd just told a really funny joke, while I felt my anger boiling. I clenched my fists.
“I'd like to think I'm a little more than just an asshole who sleeps with every girl he meets... Don't get any ideas, love. Uptight girls like you aren't my type.”
And now he was insulting me.Perfect. He patted my shoulder, a small, satisfied smile on his lips. Killing him was oh so tempting. “Oh, really? I feel so much better now. Thanks.” I turned and walked down the street.Let's go to this stupid park so I can move on.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“To the Botanical Gardens,” I grumbled, raising my palms to the sky. “Where else would I go?”
“Let's drive. It's a few miles from here.”
Alex opened the door of his dark blue Polo, and I climbed in, rolling my eyes. Could this day get any weirder? Once in the car, Alex huffed out a laugh. I silently fastened my seatbelt. I hoped he'd leave me alone.
“You sound so jaded. I only asked you to get in my car, not to have sex with me.”
Charming, really.
“We hardly know each other, Alex. For all I know, you could very well be a serial killer, and getting me into your car is the first step in your diabolical plan. Kind of like Ted Bundy used to do with his victims.”
“If you think I'm a serial killer, why did you get in without fighting me?”
I shrugged. At this point, I might as well die in an alley. Even if it wasn't a glamorous ending. “Yolo.”
For the rest of the drive, Alex stayed silent, focused on the road ahead. I watched the landscape go by. Alex hadn't lied; it was a beautiful day. Under different circumstances, I might haveenjoyed this. Alex parked his car and opened the door for me. I had to admit: his manners were impeccable. That didn't change that I still wanted to get as far away from him as possible.
We stopped in front of a small shop selling drinks and ice cream. Alex tried to convince me to have something. He was “inviting” me. In other words, this was a bribe.Nice try, buddy, but I don't like sweets.I shook my head. I just wanted to go home and wrap myself up in my blanket, but that was too much to ask.
“What do you want? Ice cream? Iced coffee?”
I kept shaking my head. Eventually, he'd figure out I wasn’t interested. The woman behind the counter grew impatient while Alex continued to offer me drinks with unparalleled calm. I had to give him points for all his efforts. It almost made me regret acting like a bitch. Almost.
“Bubble tea?”
I hesitated a second too long before shaking my head.
Alex noticed and smiled. “I knew it.”
At this point, I let him. The woman prepared a bubble tea with milk and an iced coffee. When the drinks were ready, Alex beckoned me to follow him into the Botanical Gardens. Not knowing what to say, I followed in silence. A few meters further on, some tourists were taking photos, and I stopped to be a photobomb. A duck face and a triple chin later, I continued on my way. Alex looked at me, clearly confused. I shrugged.
