Still Jaded (Jaded #2)

I closed my eyes. It was worse than I thought. "Because he still says that it's a lie to stir up buzz."

He should know a thing or two about that business, but when I looked, I saw that Denton was a frozen statue in his chair. Anger simmered in his eyes as he shoved out of the chair to pace in front of the television screen. "I don't know if it's a lie, but I don't care. Are you together now? Do you love him?"

I felt whipped by his words, no—I felt whipped by the unspoken words. He didn't ask if Bryce loved me. That was the real question for me.

I opened my mouth to answer, but I couldn't. The answer wasn't that simple, but maybe it was. Maybe I didn't want to hear what he was going to say because I knew what it would mean.

Denton stopped in front of my chair and gripped the sides as he trapped me. His eyes bore into mine, and I felt his breath on me. "You gave your heart to him a long time ago. I was there. I saw it. Did you take it back?"

I looked away, but Denton caught my chin and forced me to look at him. His eyes demanded an answer. "I…" I couldn't finish it. I didn't want to hear this. I didn't want to be any part of this. Then I cried out, "We broke up in Spain."

"And now? I saw you with him on those gossip shows. You were together then; I know you've seen him since. Right? You have, haven't you? Are you together now?"

I opened my mouth, but I had nothing to say.

That was happening a lot to me now.

Denton held my chin firm. I couldn't look anywhere but at him. "Love is love, Sheldon. I haven't committed to anyone for a long time. I'm only going to do it when I know she's the one. I thought, for a split second, a long time ago that I found that girl, but it only took one look at you, and I knew you weren't her. The reason why I'm so heated is because if I had you, there's no way in hell I'd be caught dead with someone else. Now, I saw Bryce's look. I saw it in his eyes. He was playing the part, and my guess is it's because his agent got him to do it like you said. But you hear me—no agent would make me do anything that would hurt the woman I loved. I wouldn't let them. A job is a job. A lot of people put their jobs first, but the relationship should always be first. When a job is gone, that woman is going to stay with you. The job won't do that."

"So you think he's with her because of his job?" Hope blossomed…

I felt faint and my heart was beating so fast, but I couldn't look away from his eyes.

Denton let go of my chin and straightened as he raked a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't know. I'll be honest. He did look confused."

A whimper choked out of me. What did that mean?

Denton turned striking eyes to me. "Don't get me wrong. Confused or not, he shouldn't be where he is. He needs to get his priorities straight, and if he doesn't…"

I couldn't look away. The threat was there, brimming to the top. I waited with my breath held. I didn't know if I wanted to hear this, if I should hear this.

"I'm coming after you, Sheldon. I backed off because I saw you loved him, but if he's not treating you right then nothing's going to keep me away. I'm coming after you."

A shiver went down my spine and I gasped, already heated, from his promise. It rang in his words and in his eyes. I couldn't look away from him. Nothing else existed in that moment. Denton spelled it out, and I was excited. I should've been ashamed to admit that but I was. Four years earlier I would've thrown myself at him, but this time I jerked out of my seat. I stumbled to catch my balance because I couldn't look away. He had a hypnotic pull over me, a power that I hadn't felt in a long time.

It shouldn't have been from him, not now.

Then I rasped out, "Should I pass that message along?"

"Denton! When did you get home?"

The doc woke up. Talk about the most inopportune time. I moved to leave, but Denton stopped me. His voice was chilling, full of promises. "Sheldon."

I paused, but I didn't turn around. I didn't dare.

"I know both of them love you. You're going to have to make a choice, and if you can't choose either of them…"

I heard the unspoken words. He'd be there. I hung my head and hurried to my room. Once inside, I fell on the bed and curled up in the blankets. Something inside of me was reeling from what he said. There was something about Denton—who was I kidding? There'd always been something about Denton. When I first saw him in the hospital, I thought things were fine and in control. Then I thought he was a friend. Now I admitted that he wasn't at all.

I closed my eyes and heard his words again. "You didn't tell me he was cheating on you."

I fumbled for my phone and dialed his number. When Bryce answered with a sleepy hello, I barked out, "Are you with her or not?!"

"What?"

I sat up in bed and drew my knees against my chest. I held my phone in front of me. "Are you with her or not?! I have to know, Bryce."