Resentment(48)

“You used to know me—before I hated you for ruining my life. That’s when you knew me. Not now, and the next time I bring a guy home, I dare you to run him away.”

“You’ll do that all your own, but is that a threat?”

“It’s whatever you want it to be.” I poke his chest with my finger. Hard. “And I swear to God—”

“You swear to God, what?” He grabs my hand and holds it above my head. “You swear to God that—what, Mia?”

Our faces are so close that if we move just a bit, I’d bite his lips off.

“I fucking hate you, Dean,” I say, my heart is my throat. “I hate you and if I had known that you lived here with my brother, I would never have come here. I was a lot happier thinking you didn’t exist anymore. I. Hate. You.”

He drops my hand and I step back.

Tears are forming in my eyes, so I turn away and rush to my room. I make sure to slam the door as hard as I can as the end to our conversation.





Chapter 19


MIA

I’m starting to think that telling someone that you hate him is the fastest road to instant karma. It’s been more than a week since Dean and I have spoken to each other, and I have yet to have a decent day.

Despite the fact that we’ve been avoiding the hell out of each other, and we’ve stopped playing the “I’ll fuck with your food, since you fuck with mine” game, I’ve woken up every morning since, feeling awful.

My tours at the gallery have been beyond subpar, and I’m grateful that my manager has been at a conference, because otherwise, I’m sure she would fire me. Eric hasn’t been around much at all, thanks to an influx of high profile clients making insane demands, and Autumn randomly decided to take an international trip with Jacob, so I have no one to talk to. (Well, there’s my mom, but she never counts.)

Unfortunately, today is starting just like every other day this week. The sun is refusing to make an appearance and an unrelenting rain is falling from the sky.

When I attempt to leave for work, Eric’s Civic won’t crank. I try to turn the engine over multiple times, but all I get is a check engine light and low clicking sound. Frustrated, I get out of the car to see if something is stuck under the hood, but then it hits me.

There’s no gas in it.

I haven’t put any gas in it for the entire week.

Sighing, I decide to deal with that after work, and take out my umbrella. I head straight for the bus stop and immediately regret that decision.

My umbrella might as well be made of paper, because I’m getting soaked with every step. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I feel tears welling in my eyes. I can’t deal today. Just can’t deal.

I stand under the bus shelter and pull out my phone to call the gallery.

“Hamilton Array Gallery, this is Michelle speaking, how may I help you today?”

“Hi, Michelle, this is Mia.”

“Hey, Mia!” Her tone is upbeat as usual. “No worries about being late, if that’s why you’re calling. This weather is awful.”

“I’m...” I stall as the bus pulls in front of me.

The driver opens the door, asking if I’m getting on, but I shake my head no and he pulls away.

“Are you crying, Mia?” Michelle asks, sounding concerned.

“No.” I lie. “But I was calling to let you know that I won’t be coming in today. I can’t, and I’m very sorry.”

There’s a brief silence, and the sniffles I’m holding back start coming out anyway.

“Awww. Whatever it is, it’s okay, Mia.” She assures me. “Half of our showing clients for today have canceled, and I’m sure the rest will call to cancel by lunch. Don’t worry about today, just enjoy your weekend and I’ll see you Monday, okay?”

“Okay.” I tell her thank you once more before ending the call.

I make the trek all the way back to the condo, not even bothering to put up my umbrella, and when I get to the door, I realize I’ve locked the keys in Eric’s car. And not only have I locked the keys in his car, the staff downstairs have taken an “early day” and the second shift won’t be in until nine tonight.

Eric warned me that his shop would be in “beast mode” today, so unless it’s an emergency, he doesn’t want me bothering him. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t consider this an emergency at all, so I lean against the door and sigh.

The only option left is for me to call Dean, but I refuse. I can wait this out.

I get back onto the elevator and leave the building, walking down a few blocks and straight into a bar.

I know exactly how I’m going to fix this waste of a day...