Still Jaded (Jaded #2)

"The guys said a lot of your stuff got trashed. I'm sorry. I know you liked that painting." Corrigan said from behind me as he laid a hand on my arm.

I looked at his hand. "I left my car at the hotel. I was staying at the Wilshire."

Corrigan removed his hand and nodded. "I left my car here from before. I'll get one of the guys to help me bring it back. You'll be okay till then?"

I nodded.

"Or did you want to come with me to the house? You could hang out…"

"No." I didn't want to be around people on a normal basis. Breaking up with Bryce wasn't going to change that.

"You know, I could stay here. I'll get the car tomorrow. We can watch movies; get a buzz on, whatever."

I took his hand and squeezed. "I'll be fine. Really."

Corrigan smiled and brushed his hand against my cheek. "I'll get your car tomorrow, but I am going to run to the house and get some of my stuff. I'll stay here with you for awhile."

I let loose a breath. That sounded great to me. Then I wiped away a tear. "Okay."

Corrigan kissed my forehead before he left. When he did, the door shut and the sound seemed to echo everywhere. Though he shut it gently, it was the loudest I'd ever heard a door close. Then I glanced around and hugged myself. I was scared to be in my own home.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It wasn't long before my phone started lighting up. Either Corrigan told someone that I was back, or Hoodum leaked it to his guys who said something at a bar. It didn't matter. I knew word would get out eventually. I was surprised that more people hadn't called and asked where I was, but then I realized that someone must've said I was out of town and not to be bothered. Even Grace hadn't called, but considering our last exchange, I shouldn't have been surprised.

When the bell at the gate sounded, Leah was the last person that I would've expected. I pressed the 'talk' button. "Are you looking for Corrigan?"

"I'm looking for you. Corrigan showed up at the house, so I figured you'd be back. Can I come in?" She looked nervous.

I hit the access button and noted where Hoodum said the panic buttons were. There was one underneath every table and counter. He was right. They were placed all over my house, but I didn't think Leah was someone I needed to fear. When she got to the front door, I opened it and stepped back as she came in. She ran a hand through her wet hair and grinned ruefully. "Sorry. It was raining when I came over. Did you notice? It stopped a little bit ago, but it was downpour for a few minutes. Stupid me got caught in it."

I watched her for another minute and then asked, "What are you doing here?"

Leah's eyebrows shot up as she raked her fingers through her hair. She tried to straighten it. "I don't have an agenda if that's what you mean. I came over because the last time I was here you mentioned getting back at Cadence. Are you changing your mind?"

Oh. Right. Cadence.

I grinned. "I'd forgotten all about her. Sorry. Yes, I'm still planning on getting her back."

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure you're okay? I know we're not best friends, but…I know when someone's got something on their mind. I might be a bit of a whore, but I can be a good sounding board. Promise."

"You said it. Not me." Then I bit my lip and regretted my words instantly. "Sorry."

She shrugged. "It's true. You first met me when I was naked in a roomful of guys. I understand it. Hell, I am it. Or I was. I've been thinking a lot since you've been gone. I'm going to stop sleeping around. It's wrong. It…" She looked away as she hesitated.

I was detached from myself when I murmured, "It cheapens you. You can't force someone to respect you. You can't take it from them. You have to earn it to receive it, and I know that you only want their respect. You don't want them to just accept you. They accept dogs. Screwing them won't make them respect you. It'll make them look down on you. If you're lucky, you might get a treat afterwards. You're more than a pet."

She sucked in her breath and closed her eyes.

I knew my words stung, but they were true. People might've wanted to call me a whore, but I wasn't. I slept with two men in my life, and I loved one of them. No one would ever consider me his dog. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm…hell. I'm always this bitchy. If you can't handle the truth, or what I see as the truth, you might not want to hang out with me. I'm starting to realize that only strong people can handle me, or people with thick skin."

Leah shook her head and wiped a tear away. She tried to smile. "No. No. It's…you're right. It's just hard to hear when it's put like that. I'm…I care about those guys. I really do, but you're right. I just… How do you get people to respect you?"