T.L. Swan

At least have the guts to say what you want to.

ack.

Move on, I have

I storm into the bathroom, I get under the shower, and, unable to help it, I cry . . . and cry . . . and cry. Howling sobs, and my chest is heaving hard as I hold myself up against the tiles

The way my enemies are using her to get to me, the way she’s handing them the ammunition like candy.

And I know that nothing could bring me undone . . . except her.

She’s my only weakness.

And weakness is something that I can’t afford to have.

Not now, not ever.

I stare up at her apartment for a long time, and then with a heavy heart, I turn and begin the depressing run home.

I’ve never been so alone

As he gets to us, he glances up and sees me. His step falters, and then he clenches his jaw and doesn’t make eye contact.

Tears well in my eyes as I watch him walk past.

He stops with his back to me, and I hold my breath.

Turn around . . . turn around.

After a moment, he falls back into stride beside the woman and disappears up the street without looking back.

A searing pain lurches through my chest as I fight tears. I drop my head in sadness.

There’s my answer.

That’s it . . . we’re done

Oh man . . . my body is wrecked.

Jameson Miles fucked me all night long. Hard and every which way, and today I’m going to pay for it. I turn toward him. He’s lying on his side, perched on his elbow, watching me. “Hi.” I smile softly, embarrassed by what he must have seen.

“Hi.” He leans in and kisses me before taking me in his arms and holding me tight.

“I’m sore,” I whisper.

“That makes two of us.” He smirks

I get up to go to the bathroom and notice the trash can full of condoms . . . hmm, he wore condoms all night. I didn’t notice at the time.

I get back into bed beside him and snuggle back against his chest. “Why did you wear condoms last night?”

I feel his body stiffen beneath me, and I instantly know it was purposeful. He stays silent.

“Jim?” I frown as I sit up.

“Don’t.” He goes to pull me back down onto his chest. “Let’s just have a nice morning together.”

I stare at him. “Why would you wear condoms when I know how much you hate them?”

He exhales heavily as if annoyed and gets out of bed. “I don’t want any accidents.”

“What?”

He exhales heavily as if frustrated.

I sit up. “You think I would trap you by getting pregnant?”

He rolls his eyes.

“What the hell?” I snap as I jump out of bed. “Are you serious?”

“We’re not together, Emily. I would have to be a fucking idiot to not take precautions.”

My face falls. “What was last night?”

His eyes hold mine. “It was goodbye.”

After the beautiful night we had together . . . this is how he treats me?

He reappears fully dressed, and his eyes find mine. “Can I give you a lift somewhere?”

“If you walk out that door now, we are over forever,” I whisper.

His eyes hold mine. “I know.” He steps forward and kisses me softly as he cups my face in his hands. Our faces screw up against each other’s. “This is for the best; another man can make you happier.”

I step back, furious. “Don’t you dare throw that shit at me.”

“Do you want a lift or not?”

“Go to hell,” I spit.

His haunted eyes hold mine. “I’m already there.” He turns and walks out the door. It clicks quietly behind him.

I sob out loud into the silence as I hold my poor heart.

About where I’m going with my life . . . my career and my future at Miles Media

I swallow my nerves and open the door, and Tristan’s face lights up. “Here she is. The hero of the day.”

“Hi.” My eyes find Jameson’s across the room.

“Hi.” He dips his head as if ashamed