“If you love her then be the man she deserves. This,” I said waving my hand at him. “Is not that man. You’re a fucking mess.”
He glared at me and started toward me. His fists were clenched at his sides, so I prepare to defend myself. I hated to hit a drunk man, but I wasn’t going to let him kick my ass either.
“Cruz!” Lila’s voice stopped him. I looked over his shoulder to see her standing there. So innocent and sweet. This madman she was in love with didn’t match up well at all.
He paused then turned to her. “Lila.”
The tears in her eyes weren’t falling yet, but they were there. Unshed.
“What are you doing?” she asked sounding like a teacher put out with an unruly student.
“I love you,” he said.
Her tears broke free then. “I heard.”
They stood there staring at each other. I walked around them and back upstairs to get my things. I didn’t belong here. Not now.
Cruz Kerrington
FIGHTING THIS WAS impossible. I’d tried. I had tried so damn hard. But I couldn’t. Was I good enough for Lila Kate? No. Did she know all my dark secrets? No. Would she love me if she knew? Probably not. She’d hate me. I didn’t want her to hate me.
She turned and grabbed Eli’s arm as he came back downstairs with his bag. His staying the night here had been the last straw. I’d cracked. My chest exploding would have hurt less than seeing her with him last night. Eating fucking ice cream, walking around town like a couple. I couldn’t stomach it. I knew after that I had to do something.
“Just let me talk to him. You don’t have to go,” she said to Eli.
“Yeah, he does,” I argued.
She frowned at me. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Yes, I do,” he said saving me from having to argue with her. Because his ass needed to go back to fucking Alabama and stay there. “This,” he said pointing between Lila Kate and me. “This needs resolving. I’m in the way, and honestly, I don’t want to watch any more of the train wreck.”
I took a step toward him my hands balling into fists. Lila Kate was in front of me before I could take two steps. Both her hands on my chest. “Cruz. Don’t. Just go upstairs. Please.”
Her big beautiful eyes were telling me to go upstairs . . . to her apartment. That meant I wasn’t the one leaving. So I backed away and nodded.
“Thank you,” she whispered as if he couldn’t hear her.
“Don’t touch her,” I warned him making sure he understood I’d find his ass. I’d track him down and make sure neither of his hands worked again.