Crushed - Pamela Ann Page 0,28
sneer.
“In a way, I am. I guess the vacation in Greece showed me there’s more to life than sulking.” And being in love with someone who couldn’t care less what I was feeling, I silently added.
It wounded me to think that, but it was the truth. Though I felt bad for the both of us, I didn’t want to ruin the rest of my life by sulking about the fact that there were just some things in life we would never get to have. It was how the world worked. Sometimes, it was best to learn to accept it, even if it was a hard pill to swallow.
“Two weeks, huh?” he muttered, scratching the side of his chin as he gave me a serious look. “So, when did you and Carter start hooking up?” Instead of giving me a chance to explain, he kept going with his rant and combative words. “He’s probably too fucked up about seeing Emma so happy and shit. That’s why he had to fuck you—to forget her.”
What. The. Fuck! Did that really just come out of his mouth?
“Wow. You’re on a roll this morning, and it’s not even past ten o’clock.”
“I’m just saying, in case you’re thinking he might dig your crazy and that you guys might have a chance longevity wise.”
Pressing my lips together, I tried to compose myself. “Thanks for the great advice, Brody.” He was serving his dish cold and heartless. Okay, I got him loud and clear. “You’re such a great friend.”
“Right.”
For a moment, I had some hesitation. Should I remain after he just stabbed me in the front and back, or should I simply leave? After all, being around his shitty mood wasn’t going to do anything but fuck my day up. He was a big asshole, no doubt about that. So, why the fuck should I be around him when he wasn’t doing me any good?
My decision made, I spun around to retrace my steps then heard him from behind.
“Where are you going?” he questioned harshly just as the coffee indicated the pot was done.
As much as I loved my coffee in the mornings, I preferred it sweet instead of bitter, thank you very much.
“Back to Carter’s arms, as you can imagine,” I snapped, feeling a million times better.
Amber the doormat, I was not! It was time to show some restraint and backbone. Doormats got used and bitches … Well, they ruled the world.
I ought to take something from Lindsey’s view on life.
Chapter Twelve
It was my second day in Carter’s home, and though he was nice and accommodating, I felt as if I needed to get away and be around different people for a while. I knew he meant well, but seriously, being around Brody and his toxic personality, sober or drunk, was just too much for me. I was still in a fragile state, even if I came off as fine and strong. Deep down, I was still coping from the hurt of my past decisions.
Since it was summer, house parties were abundant. My cell phone had been ringing non-stop since I got there with invitations to one party after the other. Given that parties in Carter Mason’s home were a daily thing, be it small or massive, I wasn’t particularly interested in going somewhere else to live it up while making small talk or pretending to be friendly. Declining the parties wasn’t a major deal, but one invite stood out.
It was Rob’s party. He was a friend, just not a close one. We were mostly party buddies, always chilling when I was in the dumps, and tonight, I needed his casual, laidback self to cheer me up.
Sprawled on the floor in Carter’s room as I sifted through the clothes in my luggage, I heard him come out of the bathroom, freshly showered. Then in came a strong, masculine scent that wafted all over the room. Damn, he smelled yummy.
“Hey, do you have a second?” he questioned as I tried to hide the stupid smile that appeared because my mind was drifting off to pheromone land.
Playing it cool, I used my butt to spin my body to face him with an easy smile. “What’s up, doll?”
The easy smile tapered off the moment I found him in his shorts, showcasing a defined six-pack. Did he not realize I was still a woman, one who hadn’t been laid in ages? Seriously, there should be a rule for that.
He snickered upon hearing me call him doll. “I just got a phone