Page 49 of Flawless

Since I knew she’d find out soon enough, and I was determined not to let it ruin her party, I said, “Yeah, we broke up. But listen, it’s not a big deal, okay? This is about you and Austin and I promise you nothing will mess this up for you guys.”

“Ohmigod, what happened?” She sounded crushed, and I hated myself even more. “You guys were talking about the future⁠—”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Please. Just respect my privacy on this one.” I couldn’t talk about it. If I did, I’d either put my fist through a wall or bawl like a baby. “And don’t ask Rylee about it either. It’s too… raw. Too personal.”

“I can’t believe this. Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay.” I glanced at Rylee’s framed picture on my credenza. “But I will be, eventually.”

“Honey, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

“Not a damn thing.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, wishing I could go home, roll into bed, pull the covers over my head and pretend I didn’t have a large county counting on me to do my job. “But thanks.”

“Cam, I⁠—”

“Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll call Austin later to congratulate him. Just send me the details for the party, I wouldn’t miss it.”

Even if seeing Rylee again would destroy me.

The cure for a broken heart? To tie one on with your friends, even if it meant hearing them tell me I told you so, when I admitted it was over with Rylee.

We were three beers in before they asked about her and I had to tell them, “You guys were right. It didn’t last.”

“Damn,” Billy said, slapping me on the back. “We’re really sorry, Cam. We didn’t want to be right. After you left last time, we felt shitty about the things we said.”

“No worries, boys. It’s all good.”

It wasn’t good. It was terrible.

Every second I couldn’t talk to her felt like an eternity.

I was mad at her. Mad at myself. And I wanted to tear the dirtbag who’d taken that video apart with my bare hands.

“Uh oh, look who’s here,” Rob said, lifting his chin in the direction of the door.

Great. Kelly. Just when I thought my night couldn’t get any worse.

I seriously thought about leaving, but we’d just ordered a round of shots and I’d never needed one more.

As soon as the waitress set them down, all three guys pushed theirs toward me. “You need this more than we do tonight.”

I didn’t even hesitate before slamming all four back, earning a concerned look from guys who’d known me for years, and knew I didn’t try to drink my problems away. Except tonight. Because I wasn’t driving.

And I was going home to a bed and a house she’d left her mark on.

I leaned back in the old wood chair, letting the alcohol work its magic. Three beers and four shots should be enough to dull the pain, at least for tonight. Tomorrow, I had an early morning, a busy day, and couldn’t afford a hangover, but that didn’t seem to matter tonight.

The only thing that mattered was the video on my phone I couldn’t bring myself to erase.

The woman’s number I couldn’t block. All the photos of us I couldn’t delete. The torture of knowing I’d be seeing her again in a few days and couldn’t touch her, couldn’t talk to her, couldn’t even look at her, because if I did, I just might end up in a relationship with another woman I couldn’t trust.

“You want to talk about it?” Jake asked, leaning in.

No, I didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t want anyone to know I’d been had again.

Or had I? I didn’t even know anymore. Maybe it was her douchebag ex who’d pulled one over on me. It wouldn’t surprise me, but with no way to find out and the damage already done, it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

It was over.