I didn't know. And I didn't care.
In what should've been good news, I didn't hear any female voices, which meant that the people in the driveway were probably Joel's brothers. Who knows, maybe they were his cover story. Maybethatwas the reason for all the talking and slamming.
I rolled my eyes. Who was I kidding? Like he'd even go to that much trouble. Probably, they were just drunk off their asses.
Itwas,after all, past closing time on a Friday night. Probably, I should've gone out, too – drinking, dancing, or whatever. But where had I spentmyevening? Home. Sitting here like a Cocker Spaniel, waiting for the lord of the manor to return.
Next, I'd be slobbering at his feet and fetching his slippers.
Pathetic.
Soon, I heard a car – or maybe more than one – drive off, leaving the night quiet once again.
Unable to resist, I stood and squinted toward the front window. From the shadows, I saw nothing. I heard nothing. I felt nothing, except a dull, depressing ache that made me feel like a giant loser.
For some reason, the night suddenly seemed ten times lonelier. How twisted was that? Reluctantly, I edged closer to the window and sighed as my most humiliating suspicion was confirmed.
Joel's car was gone.
I felt my jaw clench.Fine.
I didn'twantto tell him off, anyway. He wasn't worth it.
Beyond disgusted, I trudged up the stairs, flicked on the lights in my bedroom, and made my way into my private bathroom. Looking to wash away my sorry mood, I started running a bath, only to pause in the middle of undressing when a new sound rang through the house, literally.
It was the doorbell.
What on Earth?
I was half naked – thebottomhalf.
When the doorbell rang again, I turned toward the sound. All things considered, I'd have to be a total idiot to answer anything now.
But as it turned out, Iwasa total idiot, because I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I turned off the water, tugged on my shorts, and shoved my feet back into my sneakers. And then, I stalked toward the stairway with one goal in mind – to make him feel just as stupid as I did.
While stomping down the stairs, I recalled the details of what Cassie had told me earlier. She'd popped into T.J.'s for just a moment, in search of her landlord. While there, she'd seen Joel enter the bar with a blonde and a brunette who looked like they could be sisters. He'd had one on each arm, and they'd been smiling.
At the image, I found myself stomping just a little bit harder.
Great.
A sister act.
How nice.
From what Cassie had said, Joel's companions were, as she'd put it, quite attractive.
How lovely for them.If they wanted him, they could have him. It's not likeIwanted him or anything.
Well, not anymore, at least.
When I reached the front door, I left it locked and called out, "Who is it?"
Sure enough, I heard Joel's voice, calling back, "It's me." He paused. "Joel."
A cold smile settled over my features. "Joel who?"
"Youknowwho."
