Still Jaded (Jaded #2)

My heart was pounding, but I was so mad. I had flipped out on the phone. Corrigan said it had all been fake, but when I pushed Bryce about it, he acted guilty. He was with her. I know a lie by omission when I hear it. He was with her, which was why he started with the media set-up right away, but the cheating. Had he cheated? I was so confused.

The doctor stood back up and crossed the room to me. She didn't touch me; I couldn't have handled it if she had. She was taller than me by a few inches so she bent down as I stopped pacing. Then she gave me a reassuring smile. "I don't know much about your life, or about this soccer player, but I can see that you love him. I'm really sorry if he's done something to hurt you, but I also know there must be a reason you care about him so much." She chuckled, and it sounded self-deprecating. "You got a guy like Denton, superstar stud Denton Steele, interested in you, and you're still interested in this soccer player. Most girls would drop anyone and anything to be with someone like Denton, and I don't mean that because of his money. He's a good man, but that only tells me that you must really love this guy. And if that's the case, keep talking to him, keep listening to him, keep trying to work it out. I only know of two other people that Denton has brought here. That says something about you." Then she nodded again, smiled, and left.

Oh God.

Everything she said gave me hope, but then the pain came back. It was suffocating me. I took a deep breath and grabbed all the wine paraphernalia. The hallways were dark, but I let them be. Enough moonlight shone through the windows that I could see where I was going. A chill came over me as I entered the kitchen, but it felt refreshing. I'd been so heated about Bryce earlier and then from the wine later. I had cooled down since then, but it never bothered me to be a little cold. The kitchen windows overlooked a lake tucked in a valley. I sat in a chair and watched the water glisten under the moon. Denton's home was peaceful and exactly what I needed. I needed something to refresh me, help me look at things differently.

I stayed there the whole night, moving only once for the bathroom. I returned with a blanket and drew my knees against my chest. I rested my chin on my knees and studied how the lake seemed to change color while the sun rose. The doctor came in after sunrise, frowned at me, and grunted once. She made coffee and then left.

Sometime in the afternoon, I collapsed on my bed, but I still turned so I could look out the window. It was like I needed to watch the outdoors, like I was starving for it, but it wasn't long before I found myself woken up.

I grunted and rolled over. The doc smiled in an apology. She looked refreshed, like she'd taken a shower. "I need to change your dressings. You can go back to sleep after that."

I groaned but moved how she wanted me to. When she was done, I didn't register her departure or that she turned the lights off. It was night again…but I'd fallen asleep once more.

That became the pattern for a while. I'd sleep at random times and wake for a time when I'd look out the windows. Sometimes I watched television. I couldn't turn the channel when Bryce's team played. My eyes were glued to the screen. The doctor joined once, but she only noted how handsome Bryce looked. "No wonder you've got the hoot-n-nanny for him. He's lethal to the loins." Then she laughed, sipped some more wine, and snuggled underneath her blanket. Her snores kept me company for the rest of the game.

I turned the television off an hour later and stayed in my seat.

"I was at an awards show not long ago."

Denton spoke from behind me and dropped a bag in my lap.

I screamed and then clamped a hand over my mouth. "Holy shit! Can you announce your presence next time? I think I crapped my pants just now."

Denton smirked and fell in the chair beside mine. He indicated the bag. "Look in there. I got goodies for you."

A movie, a book, and a scarf were in the bag. I pulled each out and flashed a smile. "Thanks, Denton. How'd you know this is what I always wanted?"

He stood and crossed the room. When he pushed a button, a portion of the wall slid away and a bar extended out towards us. My eyes went wide. How hadn't I found that nice little invention?

Denton poured a drink for himself and a second one that he offered to me when he resumed his seat beside me. "As I was saying before, I went to an awards show last week and, lo and behold, guess who sat in the two seats beside me."

I already knew where this was going. The same headache threatened to spill over me again. "Please don't."

"That enticing Spanish model who's hoping to become the next big thing in America. Guess who her date was. Guess, Sheldon."

I already knew. "Lance Armstrong."

Denton chuckled and sipped his drink. "No, no, no. Your one and only love." He finished his drink and gritted his teeth, as if it was sour. A hard look came over his eyes. "You didn't tell me he was cheating on you."