Reid stood rooted to the spot, mind racing, close to losing it as he watched her drive away.
You made me realize that fucking is just that, it doesn’t have to mean anything.
Her words rang in his head, over and over again, and pain sliced through him.
It was the right thing to do.
Yeah, then why does it feel so damn wrong?
Letting her go was the biggest mistake of his life, would always be his biggest regret. He’d known that before he said what he had. But the very thought of her with another man, doing the things they’d done together with someone else? Fuck, it had the ability to tip him over the edge. If he let that get in his head, dwelled on it, he’d lose his shit. He’d go after her and demand she take him back, that she promise to never talk about fucking anyone else ever again—that she was his.
But he’d just given up that right. He’d thrown it away because he had to, because he’d rather see her with someone else than risk hurting her.
Now he just had to stay the hell away from her.
Chapter Nineteen
Rusty slid on the simple black dress she’d picked out. It was short, midthigh, but the neckline was high, skimming her throat. All the action was at the back, scooping down low, just above her ass. It was a nice dress, an expensive dress she’d paid a crapload of money for, just for this occasion. When Reid had agreed to take her to Alex and Deke’s engagement party, before he’d broken it off, she’d been excited, wanted to wow him when he picked her up.
Now getting dressed up, and worse, putting on a fake smile when she should be ecstatically happy for her brother and her best friend, just made her feel crappy…and guilty as hell.
She wanted to be happy. Had been trying to shake off her shitty mood for days, but celebrating love wasn’t something she felt like doing right then. God, she had to get over herself. She couldn’t miss Alex and Deacon’s engagement party.
How selfish could she get? She needed to lighten the hell up. If anyone could make it work it was those two. They’d loved each other for the longest time, finally getting it together when her insane brother blackmailed Alex into a sordid, secret affair. It worked. Her brother won over her feisty friend, despite a few hiccups along the way, and now they were blissfully happy, all set to tie the knot.
She was happy for them, more than happy. Unfortunately, she wasn’t in the party mood, hadn’t been for the last week. Not since she backed out of Reid’s driveway and drove away heart sore. He’d devastated her with his glacial demeanor and biting words. He’d taken every one of her insecurities and brutally thrown them back in her face. He’d wanted to hurt her, to push her away, and he’d succeeded. She knew there was more to it. The reason for the way he’d acted had something to do with what happened with Brian, she was sure of it. But her broken heart wouldn’t let her go to him, certainly wouldn’t let her beg him to talk to her—nor would her pride.
He’d pushed, forced her to open up to him, and she had, she’d let him in. That was the kicker, the part that stung more than anything else. Because in the end, he chose to let her go rather than do the same. She’d given him her trust, more than she’d ever thought she could give any man, and he’d stomped all over it.
A light knock sounded on her bedroom door. “You decent?” Piper called.
“Yeah.”
The door swung open and Piper walked in looking fantastic. Her pint-size sister barely reached her shoulder, but she had banging curves—the prefect hourglass—and no idea how lovely she was. She’d always gone on that she was the chubby one, the plain one out of the three of them. Both Rusty and Alex tended to be on the slim side, but Pipe was all banging curves. The woman was hot. She just didn’t believe it half the time.
The calf-length red dress she wore was snug and low cut, showing off plenty of cleavage. Rusty whistled. “Whoa, woman. You look hot as hell.”
Piper blushed but didn’t try to deny it like she usually did. No, she beamed up at her. “Thanks, I went shopping with Alex last weekend, when you were staying at…” She cleared her throat. “It was on sale.”
“Hey, I’m fine.” She was so far from fine it wasn’t funny, but she didn’t want Piper to worry. She’d get over this. She had to. She just needed time. “You gussied up for anyone in particular?”
Piper shook her head, her soft blond waves bouncing around her shoulders and snorted. “Yeah, right.”
Rusty wasn’t so sure, but didn’t call her on it and sat on the end of her bed to slide on her shoes. They were kick-ass, electric blue, strappy, and breakneck high. They were her favorite and made her feel good. Anything that made her feel good at the moment she was all for.