There was none of that “fool me twice” bullshit with me. One strike, and you were out, plain and simple.
Spring was giving way to early May, and the air was thick with the scent of freshly mowed grass and the faint sweetness of irises blooming along the walkways.
The sun was already warm, and I could feel the first beads of sweat forming at my hairline. I fanned myself with my flat hand, trying to chase it away.
Twice today, I thought I sawhim— those tattoos, that stance — but both times, it was just someone walking past, disappearing too fast. Already irritated that I’d left my workout clothes at home, I turned down the tree-lined street leading to the sorority house, only to come to a screeching halt.
This day officially sucked.
David’s flashy Range Rover was parked outside. I wanted to turn on my heel and march away. The girls would probably take care of him sooner or later.
But this wasmyproblem. It wasn’t my way to shirk this confrontation.
I had known this was going to happen eventually. To be honest, I was almost surprised that he hadn’t shown up sooner. David couldn’t stand not having the last word, something we had clashed over many times during our relationship.
Taking a deep breath, I schooled my expression, then set off again with determined steps. The door of the black SUV opened as I approached the house, and David got out.
His dark brown hair was gelled to perfection, and he looked pissed, which immediately made my hair stand on end. What reason didhehave to be pissed off? The audacity of this man! I could feel the impatience radiating from him.
My steps remained steady. If he thought I would hurry just because he was waiting, he was sorely mistaken. Running my tongue over my teeth, I gave him a disdainful look as I came to a stop a few feet away from him.
“What the fuck, Sierra? I’ve been trying to talk to you for days. Why don’t you answer your fucking phone?”
We both knew the answer to that question, so I didn’t bother answering. Crossing my arms over my chest, I raised my eyebrows slightly and shook my head slightly from side to side as if to say, “So?”.
David scoffed. “You have to at least give me a chance to explain myself.”
“I don’t have to do anything.” I let out an incredulous laugh. “Let me guess? It wasn’t what it looked like?”
“Nah, I wouldn’t insult your intelligence like that.”
“Ohhh, thank you, how nice of you.” My voice was sweet as sugar.This pretentious asshole. “And yet, you didn’t think Iwas intelligent enough to realize you were fucking other people behind my back. So forgive me if I don’t particularly care what you think of my intelligence.”
“Come on, Si.” He rolled his eyes. “It wasonetime. I just needed something else, but I promise you it won’t happen again.”
I blinked a few times. “Something else?! Are you fucking serious, David? Who the fuck do you think you are? After that stunt, I wouldn’t touch you with a pair of tongs, let alone take you back.”
“It was a one-off slip, Si! I promise.” He shook his head as if I were being unreasonable.
“I don’t give a fuck. Cheating is unacceptable —period.”
“Can you stop being so difficult for one second? I swear, I don’t even know why I’m even trying to do this.”
I threw my arms up in the air. “That’s beyond me too! If you even knew me at all, you’d realize this is pointless.”
“Jesus Christ, stop being such a bitch, Sierra. No wonder I wanted a girl in my bed who doesn’t give me attitude all the fucking time,” he sneered.
Inwardly I winced, but outwardly I managed to preserve a blank expression. “You’re pathetic. I certainly wasn’t pining for you. Ever thought that maybe it’s you? The right guy can fuck that attitude out of me.Ask me how I know.”
“Don’t bullshit me,” he scoffed.
”Think what you want, David. If I’m so exhausting, why are you still bothering me?” I pursed my lips and looked at him challengingly.
“Christ, I have no idea why I ever agreed to this.”
“Agreed? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
For the first time, his poise began to waver. It was like a mousetrap snapping shut. “Fuck, I didn’t — that’s not what I meant.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
