Page 31 of False Play
I tried it for four years,and it was…not something I wanted to go through again.
And yet, I couldn’t shake this feeling off. My heart latched on to a hope for something thatdidn’texist. The knowledge of it was frustrating. Letting someone in meant I had to put myself in a box, because I knew I was too much, and I was far from perfect. I wholeheartedly believed no one could ever love all parts of me, and I wasn’t willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of someone else.Not again.
“Can we not do this right now?” he snapped. “And I guess it’s a good time as any to tell you I will be bringing Meghan to Evelyn’s and David’s anniversary dinner.”
Fuck.The anniversary.I couldn’t believe I had forgotten. Facing all of those people… I didn’t even know if I was ready—scratch that—IknewI wasn’t.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to attend.”
He scoffed. “Evelyn’s your best friend.”
I wanted to laugh at that. Because was she really?
We met Evelyn and David when we went on vacation a few years ago. When we realized we lived in the same city, we became friends quickly. I considered Evelyn one of my closest friends, but after the breakup, she sort of disappeared.
“I have to go,” I muttered as I reached for my cart to get away from him.
He stepped into my line of sight, gripping the edge of my cart. “So, are you going to go or not?”
“Why do you even care? She hasn’t even talked to me since you and I broke up.”
I let out a shaky sigh.Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. I needed to get out of there—fast.
The sharpness of every breath I took was eating me, and I was one second away from breaking down. My chest started to tighten, warning me of a possible asthma attack, and I was desperate to walk away. The last thing I wanted to add to my endless list of bizarre things that had happened to me in the past few months washad a breakdown and asthma attack in front of my shitty ex.
The struggle to get out of my head was proving to be difficult. The place felt small and hot as my anxious thoughts took over the driver’s seat of my mind.
You aren’t good enough.
You aren’t worth the hassle.
“Too much of a woman” is sounding more realistic now, isn’t it?
It’s true. You’re too much. Not even your ex-fiancé managed to handle you.Who in their right mind would?
That’s why your supposed best friend hasn’t even reached out to you. They all know you’re a goddamn mess.
Like an angel sent from above, a raspy voice caught my attention and pulled me out of my thoughts. “Baby, there you are.”
I lifted my gaze with a confused frown and found Anderson walking toward me.
His strides were strong and purposeful. His eyes were focused on me and only me. It was an exhilarating feeling to have Anderson’s complete attention. But it was also…terrifying, because the look he had on his face conveyed understanding, and it made me feel exposed and vulnerable.
He pulled down his hood and shook his head slightly,giving me a pointedact coollook as he handed me my coffee and slipped his arm around my waist as he gracefully moved to stand behind me.
The touch was soft and simple, but I stiffened at the charged electricity surging through my body. I took a few small breaths, hoping it would help me not look as stiff as a board. Anderson surprised me by leaning in and pressing a kiss on my cheek. The touch of his lips against my skin was like being seared by sun-warmed metal. I wanted to simultaneously get away from him and ask him to do it again.
He lifted my head slightly so I could meet his eyes. “Sorry it took so long. The line was ridiculous,” he said casually, as if this was something we did every day.
“Henry Anderson?” Joe asked, confusion lacing his tone.
Anderson didn’t even bother to cast Joe a glance. His intense blue-gray eyes remained focused on me and somehow managed to ground me. The knot in my throat started to lessen, and I hoped with all my heart that my eyes were conveying the sentiment.
“No autographs. I’m with my girlfriend right now.” His voice was tight and to the point, one I recognized because it was the same way he talked to reporters every time we were in the media room.
Wait a damn minute. Girlfriend? What the hell was happening?
Joe reared back as he squared his shoulders. “We’ve met. I’m Kennedy’s fiancé.” His tone held some bite, but then he shook his head quickly. “I mean,ex-fiancé.”
