One day you're happy, and the next, a freak accident exposes your boyfriend's dirty little secrets in the worst possible way.
I lost the man I loved, my trust in people, and my home in less than one afternoon.
At least I know that I've pushed past...
"Fingers are nature's forks!" Grady argued while using a soiled napkin to rub the sauce out of his curly brown hair.
Sometimes, it was hard to believe that Grady was the eldest of their group or that he had a Ph.D. in philosophy.
Bart dissolved into tipsy giggles that shook his massive pectorals while Gray looked on with a disgusted expression.
"How about I get the next round?" I volunteered, angling my slingback crocodile heels outward to escape the booth. "Be right back."
I slipped down to fumble through my computer bag where I'd stashed my purse.
Though I disliked jam-packed college bars or mingling with sweaty strangers, it was preferable to sitting in that booth trying to ignore Gray's derisive stare.
"Hey," Elijah caught my arm to pull me up into a sweet kiss. "Thanks, honey, you're the best."
My boyfriend took full advantage, sweeping the inside of my mouth with his tongue in sensual motions that made me smile against his lips.
"No problem," I whispered, pulling away from the interlude to catch the deepening scowl on Gray's face over Elijah's toned shoulder.
I wound my way toward the carved bar top, fixing my gaze on the alcoholic selections displayed on the wood panel wall behind the counter.
While jostling against the swarm, I absentmindedly traced my bottom lip with the tip of my tongue to relish Elijah's kiss.
I was going to have my way with him later. As soon as we got home, I was going to push him down on the couch and climb on his lap to coax him into a coy game of show and tell.
Unfortunately, Gray's glare was derailing my sexy train of thought before it could even leave the station. He was always rude, and arrogant, and too sarcastic to ever be taken seriously, but lately, his behavior had been approaching hostile.
Shaking off the recent memory, I shouted my order at one of the bartenders always slinging drinks on Fridays, Mindy. She bobbed her cherubic face and tossed an errant blonde curl over her shoulder.
While waiting, I couldn't help but chuckle at how much I stuck out like a sore thumb in the crowd of sloppy sports fans.
Don't get me wrong, my tight black sheath dress was classy-AF, but I probably looked like I spent my days doing taxes. It didn't help that I was wearing my glasses and I had on nylons to combat the cold.
I don't go out a whole lot because I have crippling social anxiety triggered by large crowds, which tends to trap me inside my overactive brain.
With a chilly pitcher full of bargain beer in one fist and a stack of newly washed glasses in the other, I slowly made my way across the filthy tiles while shuffling around drunken bodies.
"Oh, come on man!" I heard Gray shouting over the noise of the bar. "That's bullshit!"
I inched closer, but the tall wooden partition shrouded their heated conversation.
"It's not like that, dude," Elijah's pleas burrowed into my ears. "You don't understand the position that puts me in!"
"If you're going to keep bringing her around," Gray's threatening tone sent my heart into my throat. "Then I'm not coming back! I can't do it anymore. I can't, even, look at her!"
Indignant heat flashed up my spine.
How dare he?! Who did Gray think he was? Hell, I was willing to put up with the barely legal bimbos he had the nerve to bring around. I even tried to befriend the handful of girls who made it to date number two!
Bart shot out of the booth like he'd been pushed to notice me first. His overly tanned skin couldn't hide the blush of embarrassment peeking out of his salmon-colored polo.
Next, Gray heaved himself off the bench to straighten the button-down over his fitted t-shirt. As soon as his cruel eyes found mine, he froze.
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