your girl to see, you know?”
I grunted my response. “Wait, what?”
Jamie smiled, his tattooed hand falling from his belt. “Gotcha. You haven’t been listening to a fucking word I’ve said, have you?”
“Of course not.” I ran my hand through my hair, feeling my jaw clench. I wanted to go downstairs and rip Tyra away from that asshole. If he had his hands on her, so help me God—
“Let’s just go downstairs and see what’s up,” Jamie suggested, interrupting my murderous thoughts. When I sat back, refusing, he bent over laughing. “We both know you want to, dumb ass.”
“Fuck her.”
His eyebrows rose. “Did you? I mean other than when you were making Poopy F. Baby over there.”
“No.”
“That explains why she’s looking to get it from someone else. The girl’s got needs, too.”
I groaned, wondering how much I should reveal about what happened between us last night. Jamie couldn’t hold water for shit. “We fucked up and fooled around, but then River woke up, and Tyra fell asleep before I could get him down again. “
“So?”
“She was asleep,” I reiterated when Jamie didn’t seem moved.
“Was she willing?” I only shrugged in response. “I’m going to take that as a yes,” he replied. “If it happens again, put her on her knees. I guarantee she’ll wake up once your dick hits her cervix.”
His lips twitched when I stared at him blankly.
“Thanks, but no, thanks.”
“Whatever, bro. It’s your dick’s funeral.” Jamie then turned and left the room without saying goodbye. A moment later, I was on my feet. I ignored his smirk when I rushed onto the elevator before the doors could close. “Good man,” was all he said as the elevator descended.
I didn’t know what the hell I would do once I found her, but they both had better pray for an angel of mercy.
MY STOMACH TWISTED AND TURNED with guilt each time my gaze landed on the yellow bruises marring the janitor turned friend’s handsome face. “Oliver, I can’t say it enough. I’m really sorry for getting you involved. I didn’t intend for this to happen.”
Yeah? Well, what were your intentions? Do enlighten us, my conscience seemed to challenge.
Dressed for work, he waved me off for the umpteenth time since we’d sat down. “It’s okay. What are a few broken bones if it means getting the prettiest girl to go out with me again?”
Though I wouldn’t call meeting for coffee in a hospital cafeteria a date, there was no stopping the heat warming my cheeks. I was just grateful he agreed to meet me. “I don’t know about that.”
“But you are beautiful,” he insisted. “Inside and out.” Oliver nodded toward the flowers I’d gotten him as one of my many apologies. “And I have to admit that it explains everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“You told me that your son’s father was the one to break it off, but he’s obviously not over you.” He then pointed to his face. “Why else would he do this?”
“Well, that’s the other bit of bad news. He kind of knows you helped me destroy his car.” I cringed as I watched the color drain from Oliver’s skin. “He’s not going to press charges or sue,” I rushed to say. Even though Vaughn hadn’t told me so himself, I knew he wouldn’t because it meant getting me in trouble, too. Besides, it wasn’t his style. Oliver’s brutalized face was more Vaughn’s MO.
Still, Oliver rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I should watch my back, huh?”
I found myself without words. While I could guarantee Oliver wouldn’t face jail time or lose everything, I couldn’t promise that Vaughn wouldn’t come back for seconds just because.
“I understand if you never want to see me again.”
“If I’m honest, my head is telling me to stay away…” I felt my shoulders slump before he could even finish. “But my heart is telling me you’re worth the trouble.”
He flashed a smile that I quickly returned.
“I’ll make sure Vaughn won’t bother you again. It’s over between us, anyway,” I muttered though it felt like a lie. And not just because of last night. I wanted to believe Vaughn had assaulted Oliver because of his Lamborghini, but I knew better. Vaughn had hurt him because of me and because he’d needed to repair his ego. He fully expected to find me soaked in tears and wallowing in the destruction he’d left of my heart. I cursed myself because Vaughn had undoubtedly almost gotten what he wanted.
Oliver’s gaze lifted as he looked at something over