“Way to go, big mouth,” I say with a laugh as I plop a hash brown bite into my mouth.
Xander pins me with a stare. “Answer the question, Travis.”
When I don’t immediately respond, Charlotte chimes in. “Oh, my gosh. You did, didn’t you?”
“Yes, okay!” I blurt out much louder than I intended to. “We slept together! It’s not a big deal.”
“Travis…” Charlotte says my name like she’s so disappointed in me.
“Charlotte, don’t,” I warn. “It shouldn’t have happened. It was a moment of weakness, and it won’t be happening again. I don’t need your lecture.”
“I just worry about you is all,” she says softly. “I’m not trying to lecture you.”
I glance over at Xander. He’s eating his food, not saying a word, but I know he wants to. He wants to lecture me probably as much as Charlotte does. Tell me how I deserve better, and how I’m supposed to be putting myself first. I don’t want to hear it. I’m mad enough at myself after sleeping with him—and enjoying it as much as I did—I don’t need it from them too.
Charlotte exhales heavily. “Have you heard from Nathaniel at all?”
I consider lying, but what’s the point. “He’s tried contacting me a couple of times since the split.”
“What does he say?”
“That he wants to sit down and talk about everything.”
She worries her bottom lip for a moment before replying. “You wouldn’t ever get back together with him, would you?”
“Fuck no!” I snap. Suddenly, I’m regretting coming to this damn brunch at all. “No, Char, I wouldn’t,” I say with much less anger. “I may be an idiot, but I’m notthatmuch of one.”
“You’re not an idiot,” she insists. “You just want to see the good in everyone. That’s not always a bad thing.”
It’s fucking infuriating to see the way people look at me sometimes. Like Xander and Charlotte, for example. I know they both love me and want what’s best for me, but sometimes it’s very clear they think I’m stupid. Like I make terrible decisions when it comes to my love life. Which okay, I kind of do, but Jesus.
Just fucking once, I’d like to not make the wrong call. I’d like to pick the right, good, nice person. I’m always the guy people say“I told you so”to, and I’m tired of it. Sleeping with Mateo was foolish. It shouldn’t have happened, and all it’s done is make me feel even weaker than I already did. Even though I’ve ignored every invitation from him, that doesn’t seem to matter in the grand scheme of things to people. And now, sitting here, with Charlotte, who’s giving me her sad,I want to help himeyes, the anger stews inside of me, bubbling over.
She must take a hint, though, because she changes the subject, and we’re able to make it through the rest of our meal without bringing me, or my pathetic love life, back up. I’ve never felt more relieved than I do when I step inside my apartment later.
Nova trots up to me, tail wagging, tongue sticking out, happy as a clam to see me.
“Hi, sweet girl!” I get down on her level, petting her head as she tries to maul my face with kisses. “Should we go for a walk?”
Her ears perk up and she jumps back, prancing on her toes at the word“walk.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Her leash is on the kitchen counter from when I used it last night. Grabbing it, I hook it onto her collar and head out. We take the elevator down to the bottom level and, thankfully, nobody else is in there. The building seems pretty quiet and empty right now, which is fine by me.
I’m still in a piss-poor mood from my sister’s questions at brunch. Being alone, with just my pup, is probably a good idea.
But of course, the universe has other plans for me when, on my way through the lobby toward the front door, I spot somebody I definitely donotwant to see right now. A sinister smirk slides on his devious lips when he spots me.
Mateo’s walking toward the elevators, obviously just coming home, but when he gets near me, he turns, so now we’re walking the same direction.
Why wouldn’t he?
“Hello,cariño,” he greets in a too-sultry tone that makes my heart race and my blood heat. I hate it. When I don’t respond, he glances down at Nova, sticking his hand out for her to sniff. “Hey, pretty girl.”
My gosh, why does the voice he uses to talk to my dog have to be so fucking hot? He’s so annoying. And Nova eats it up too. She loves the attention.
Trust me, girl. I get it. Don’t let him fool you, though.
“Where are we going?” he asks as I push through the heavy glass door that leads to the sidewalk.
