As I shut the door to the fridge and turn around, she’s already bringing the wine back up to her lips. Surely finding the courage to say something after my comment. I take a sip of my water and stare into her dark almond eyes, waiting because I know Scarlett Allen, and I know she won’t stay quiet. It’s half the fun right now. “Yeah, I deserve better,” is all the response she gives me.
Silence fills the air between us and Scarlett picks up her fork, eating the Mexican in front of her. I follow her lead and opt to stand while digging my hands into the crispy guacamole tacos I got from my favorite restaurant here in Jacksonville. They’re crunchy, smothered in guacamole, chicken, refried beans, and cheese. I could’ve gotten some pollo like I normally do, but after today I needed a cheat meal. I’m usually pretty good about watching what I eat, making sure I’m getting a good amount of protein in, not too many unhealthy carbs and whatnot, but today I’m going in for the good shit. That’s just been how my day’s been. Hell, I even got a client off death row so I’m feeling pretty damn good. He told me he didn’t do it but judging him isn’t my job. My job’s getting him out of whatever mess he allegedly got himself into, and I’m doing a damn good job at it.
We both eat in silence for a few minutes before Scarlett clears her throat. “You must be having a cheat meal, or a celebratory one.” Like I said, we’ve known each other for years so at this point she knows my habits.
I nod, shoving another nacho in my mouth I chew on it and swallow before answering her. “A bit of both. Now, not to dive deep into your shit, but Cam’ told me you didn’t get your shit from the apartment yet.”
Scarlett’s expression immediately shifts to a somber one. “Yeah, I haven’t. I will, soon.” The way she pauses in between speaking makes me feel like it’s something she’s dreading.
“I can go get it for you, Scar’, if you don’t want to be around him,” I offer. Little does she know I’m gonna go over there either fucking way. I’m gonna make sure a fucker like him doesn’t do the same shit to another woman, and that she gets not only her belongings back, but the money she put down on the apartment too.
“You don’t need to do that, Preston. I didn’t ask you, and I can handle it.”
“I know you didn’t ask me, but I’m still gonna offer. I don’t like seein’ you get walked all over. Surely you know it.”
Scarlett’s eyes lock right onto mine and I watch the way she drags them down my body just a tad. Just as I’m about to think she’s going to give in, she does the exact opposite. Within a second she’s rolling her eyes. “I’m not getting walked all over and I don’t like it when you say I am. I’m just a woman who picks the wrong people, Preston. There’re always constant changes in life and relationships are one of them. So, will you relax? You’re acting like I’m some charity project or something.”
“No, I wasn’t saying anything like that and I’m sorry if I insinuated it. I’d never . . . shit, I’m sorry. Just don’t want to see you hurt is all.”
Scarlett closes her eyes. “Pain is part of life. None of us can evade it.”
Her words make me think she’s putting on a tough face about her relationship being out of convenience. Even if she had a small care in the world for her ex, I’m sure it hurt her in some way. She’s a great woman, smart, beautiful, and witty, so seeing her heart aching in any way is unbearable. I understand she thinks this isn’t a big deal, she believes this isn’t hurting her, but her words and body language are telling me another story.
“True, but promise me something for the next man who walks into your life,” I say, waiting for her to open her eyes and look at me. Once she does, I speak again, “Make sure he’s a man you’re passionate about, not one merely in your life so you aren’t alone.”
Scarlett takes in a deep breath and nods. “I promise. I’ll nip my bad habit in the bud.”
I pick up another chip and toss it into my mouth, wondering if she’s putting together the pieces yet. She’s out of a relationship, has started her career, and it’s no longer inappropriate for me to have lingering eyes for Cameron’s best friend. When she was eighteen, I felt it was a little too close to her being a minor, felt like she didn’t know what she wanted in life . . . but now the game’s completely changed.
I’ll have Scarlett one way or another.
Chapter Five
Scarlett
It’s a new day with a brand new start, and I’m ready for whatever’s about to happen, no matter if it’s good or bad. That’s what I told myself the moment I slid out of bed this morning. Now I’m standing on the sidewalk in front of my now ex’s apartment, the place where I need to get all my shit from.
It’s crazy how the light blue exterior now makes me feel nauseous, riddled with nerves. My anxiety makes it feel like someone is pushing their hand down on my chest, and my hands shake slightly, worrying about what kind of hell he’s going to make me go through. Scott won’t make this easy for me. He’s never made anything easy.
Putting one foot forward, I walk up the brick stairs that lead to the apartment. Lifting my hand, I rap my knuckles against the door and hear the shuffling of feet from where I stand. “Shit, hold on a sec, okay? I don’t know why she’s here,” Scott’s voice rings out and my heart sinks into my stomach. Sure, we broke up . . . and yeah, I don’t know if I was in love with him, but I cared for him. It’s not like I didn’t feel anything for the man.
My Nissan Altima’s parked on the street and I’m here ready to take whatever I can fit back to Cameron’s. She told me late last night I could move in with her permanently if I wanted, but I don’t want to feel like a hindrance. She’s my best friend and living together might be too much. She kept telling me it would be great and eventually I accepted her offer. Hell, she even told me her mom would stay at her brother’s when she comes to town. She went on and told me how her mom even said Preston had the nicer place. Cameron thinks it’s because Preston has an oversized apartment, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom.
Scott wouldn’t let me come here yesterday, but I’m hoping today things will be different. I know for a fact he’s off and I can’t keep living out of the maybe three outfits I have at Cam’s. I probably should’ve called, but oh well, the man doesn’t need my shit.
Shirtless, Scott pulls the door open and is careful not to open it too far. He looks me up and down, furrows his brows and gawks. “What’re you doing here?”
I blink rapidly at him. “Everything I own is here. I’m here to get my shit.” He has to be kidding me. Why else would I be here? I’m certainly not here to beg for him to take me back.
“We can set something up later, Scarlett. Now’s not a good time.” Scott’s eyes widen as he says the last bit and I hear someone mutter something from behind him. I know for a fact that he can’t be alone. For fuck’s sake, when he broke up with me, he told me he found a woman who could fuck better than me, which only confirmed the fact he was cheating on me the entire time. God, what a fucking asshole.