I shove my fork into my food and start eating as fast as I can. The faster I eat, the faster I can get this stupid dinner over with. I don’t know what he expected to accomplish out of this dinner, but I hope he didn’t expect to win me back, because this definitely isn’t working.
“Calm down, Riley.” Tyler reaches over the table and grabs my fork out of my hand. “Talk to me for a minute. I’m not trying to piss you off. I just want answers. You don’t think this hurts me? I’m hurt right now. This hurts me.”
I lean back in my seat and take a few breaths to calm myself. “I don’t want to fight, okay, but if you keep running your mouth and saying things about Cale then I’m going to leave and never speak to you again. He doesn’t deserve you bad-mouthing him when he has done nothing but take care of me.”
Tyler’s jaw flexes, as he looks me over. I can tell that he’s fighting really hard not to tell me how he feels about my words.
“Let’s forget about this guy for a minute then and talk about us. What about us? Are you really willing to just throw two years away as if it meant nothing to you?”
I sit up and let out a humorous laugh. I can’t believe he’s going there right now. “Oh . . . I don’t know, Tyler. I was wondering the same thing when you decided to back out of our relationship right when we were supposed to get on a damn plane. Apparently our two years together didn’t mean shit to you, so why should it mean anything to me now? Tell me!”
Tyler stands up and rushes over to my side of the table, scooting his way onto my bench. “I made a mistake. A huge mistake.” He reaches for my face, but I turn away from him. “Riley. Please look at me. I love you. I’m in love with you. After you left, it made me realize how much of an idiot I was for not going with you. I’m here now and we can be together.”
I shake my head and run my hands over my face. I don’t want to be hearing this right now. I’ve waited for what seems like forever to hear him tell me he loves me again, and now . . . now here he is at the worst possible time ever and it doesn’t mean anything to me.
“I don’t want to hear that now, Tyler. I’m sorry, but I’m over what we had. This dinner and conversation are confirming that for me. I don’t feel anything. I’m so sorry. I want to be with Cale. I always have.”
Tyler stands up and starts pacing in front of the booth. “He’s a fucking stripper, Riley.” He narrows his eyes at me when I give him a surprised look. “Yeah, I’ve done my research on your little boyfriend. Is that what you really want? Huh?” He sits back down, but on his side of the table. “A man that takes off his clothes for other women and then comes home horny and ready for you? How do you know what he does at that club? What makes you think that he’s not getting off on these women touching him? Open your eyes, Riley. He could have any of those women, all of the ass he wants. He’ll never be faithful to you and you’re stupid if you think he will be.”
My heart stops and anger that I’ve never felt before takes over. Standing up, I walk over to stand in front of him. “Fuck you!” Unable to stop myself, I slap him across the cheek and storm out of the restaurant, needing to get away from him before I break down.
As soon as I’m about a block away from the parking lot, I break down and lose it. My chest aches and I can barely catch my breath. As much as I hate to admit it . . . Tyler’s words had an effect on me.
I don’t want to think about Cale with other women. I don’t want to believe what Tyler said, but what if it’s true? What if more goes on at that club than I know?
The thoughts running through my head make me just want to scream. It hurts so damn bad just thinking about Cale possibly wanting one of those girls. I hate it. I fucking hate it.
I hate it, but I love Cale. I’ve been in love with him for longer than I was willing to admit. There’s no hiding it now. This man is going to ruin me . . .
THE GIRLS HAVE BEEN EXTRA grabby tonight and I can’t wait to just get the hell out of here. Here I am . . . with all these women pulling at me and touching me, and all I can think about is the fact that my woman is out with another man. We might not have a title, but I know without a doubt that she is mine.
No one can make her feel the way that I do for the simple fact that no other man can love her and care for her as much as I do. Actions speak louder than words, and my actions will always be to take care of Riley and show her how much she means to me. This Tyler guy needs to hit the fucking road and realize that she’s taken. He lost his chance, and these women need to watch their damn hands before I lose it.