Page 99 of Reckless
Winter stiffens for several beats and then yanks herself away with a violence that clashes with the peacefulness we had moments ago.
“Are you kidding me?” she hisses right as her eyes go dark and turn glassy.
“Winter...”
It was a joke.
A bad one.
“You are theonlyperson in my life who has never referred to me that way. Sorry, youwerethe only person.” Her mouth pops open and I can see the way I’ve hurt her; it’s written all over her face.
She transforms from raging to heartbroken right before my eyes. A shaking hand places the champagne glass on the bar top, and her quivering lips try to form a polite smile. Her voice comes out watery when she says, “Thank you for the drink.”
Then she’s practically jogging in her high heels across the wooden floor, skirt fisted to keep it from tangling in her legs. I’m too stunned to move for a few beats.
We were just talking, laughing. Heading in a good direction. And she’s going to run away from me now? After everything?
Nah. Not today, Tink.
I stride after her.
Agitated.
Frustrated.
And fucking done with Winter Hamilton running from me.
27
Theo
Isense the weight of people’s gazes as I practically chase Winter through the room. My long, assertive strides gain ground behind her short, choppy ones.
She turns down a narrow wood-paneled hallway. It’s quieter here, even with my heartbeat in my ears and her heels clacking on the floor.
At the very end of the corridor, she goes left and wrenches on the door handle, wild eyes meeting mine over her shoulder. “Theo. Go away. I want to be alone.” A tear streaks down her face.
I know she hates to cry. Hates having big feelings and big conversations. Hates to feel weak or out of control.
But...
“That’s too bad, because today, I don’t give a fuck what you want,” I growl as I yank the door open wider to accommodate my width. “Get in.” I push her gently into the washroom, my hand between her shoulder blades as we step into the large space with a butcher-block vanity and bowl sink.
“I don’t want you here!” she hisses, wiping furiously at her face as she turns away from me to face the mirror that runs all the way to the ceiling. “Would hate for happy, lovable fucking Theo Silva to get his legendary dick frostbitten bythe ice-queen.”
“Winter, that was ajoke.” I lock the door while she stares at us in the mirror. Flushed cheeks, wide eyes, one hand on her heaving chest. “It was a dumb fucking joke.”
“It wasn’t funny.”
“No shit!” My arms fly out and my voice booms. “I made a mistake. One little mistake after everything and you treat me like I’m just another asshole and take off!”
“It wasn’t a mistake! It’s a way of thinking about Summer and me thateveryonedoes! I’ll always be the cold, heartless bitch because Summer gets to be the sweet, agreeable one. And of course, you see me the same way as everyone else. Why wouldn’t you?”
Her words stun me. The heat in my cheeks creeps down my throat, a perfect mirror to the tears rolling down her cheeks. Both signs of our frustration.
“You know what, Winter?” My voice is low, but it vibrates with an unfamiliar fury. “I am fucking tired. I am tired of you not seeing what I see. Tired of you talking shit about yourself. I am tired of you not realizing what’s right here”—my palm lands heavy on my chest—“right in front of you. What more do I have to fucking do for you to trust me? For you to give me the benefit of the doubt just once!”
She doesn’t flinch at my outburst. Silent tears mar her makeup as they flow freely down her face.
