Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,321

and chew my bottom lip as I wait to see if he will pick up. Let’s face it, he’s probably angry at me, and I wouldn’t blame him.

It goes to voicemail, so I leave a message.

“Hey, Cole. Look…I’m sorry for what I said. I’d hate something to happen to your career because of me. It’s not who I am. Please, call me back.” I hope I don’t sound too desperate, but that’s how I feel right now.

I sit in silence for what feels like hours. So much for my relaxing night in front of the television. Finally, I stop staring at my cell, waiting, willing it to ring, and take our plates to the sink and clean up. Instead of going to bed, I pull out a new bottle of wine and pour a large glass. My nerves are shattered. Hopefully, the wine will help me settle those down.

Sitting, I grab the remote and turn on Netflix. It’s going to be a long night. Picking up my cell again, I type another text message.

Dylan: Please forgive me, Cole. I guess I just overthought things and got worried. Please, I’d still like you to come with me on Friday.

That’s it. I’ve done the reaching out. I’m not going to become one of those needy girls. He’ll see the message, and I have no doubt the voicemail as well, then the ball is in his court. A thought occurs to me, and instead of putting something on, I find myself staring down at Cole’s Instagram page.

It’s full of supercross, and wow, seeing him in his riding gear has me wanting to just slip through the screen and into the picture. There’s a new one he’s just posted tonight—not that long ago, actually. I stare at it, and I’m sure I hear my heart shatter like a dropped wine glass. Tears well in my eyes. He’s at a pub or something—with another woman. Her arm is slung over his shoulder and kissing his cheek. He has a drink in his hand, and he’s laughing.

I quickly shut it down. “Gosh, I’m so stupid.”

Damn you, Scarlett, for letting me believe that romance books can sometimes become a reality.

This is not one of those times.

Instead, I want to hurt the man.

Well, looks like Vivian will be coming with me.

Should I even bother with going, though?

Hell yes, I should go and flaunt my successful, rich ass to the people who made fun of me.

As for Cole Carter? He’s nothing.

Just the man I borrowed for twenty-four hours.

Nothing more.

19

Dylan

My phone rings again for the hundredth time. Cole’s name lights up my screen, and once more, I ignore it.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” Vivian asks as she helps me zip up my black knee-length dress.

“Nope. I know I messed up, but he literally went from my place to a pub and got cozy with another woman. No, thank you. I think I’m going to buy some cats and become a successful cat lady.” I laugh.

I smooth my hands down my dress then glance up at the mirror.

Vivian’s reflection stares back at me with an unimpressed look on her face. “You are not becoming a cat lady. Hell no. I won’t let you, and I highly doubt Scarlett will let you either.”

“Too bad you girls won’t get a say. I’m hurt, Vivian. He hurt me. I know I did the same to him, but I didn’t go get cozy with another man not even an hour after our argument.”

“I understand.”

The rock that’s been sitting in my stomach since seeing the image hasn’t budged. Instead, it’s become a permanent fixture. Ignoring him isn’t smart, but it’s my coping mechanism. This pain is something I’ve not experienced in a long time. Luke used to manipulate me when we were together and always turned around his errors and made it my fault. I won’t be subservient. I won’t be the one to fix this. Cole knows where I live.

“Let’s have some wine. I think I’m going to need it to survive the night.”

“Do you think Luke will show up?”

I shrug as I walk out of my bedroom, and Vivian follows. “I hope he doesn’t, but knowing him, I’m sure he will go. He was the star of high school, and if he’s not successful now, I’m sure he has some white lie ready to let go, and people will believe him. That’s how gullible people are.”

“He really is a piece of work, isn’t he?”

“You have no idea. You might see for yourself tonight.”