“Didn’t you just tell me yesterday that you didn’t want to talk to him again?” He asked, cutting me off. “What happened to that?”
I was taken aback by the stern tone that he took, but chocked it up to his emotions starting to get the best of him. “Well…when I got back to my room he came by and we talked,” I explained vaguely. As far as I was concerned, that was the only explanation Antonio was owed.
He shook his head and stared at the wall. My eyes shifted to the clock – I only had fifteen minutes to get to AJ.
“Look, I have to go, but I’ll call you later if you’re okay with that,” I said flatly, feeling slightly irritated with him thinking he had the right to check me. I slipped into my coat, but as soon as I reached for my purse, Antonio was on his feet and had my arm – this time squeezing it tighter, sending a cold chill down my back.
I shot him a look. “Antonio, get your hands off me. I’m not even playing right now.” My blood ran cold in my veins when I looked into his eyes.
He sighed. “When are you gonna realize that he’s not good for you? Why is it that this dude can do no wrong in your eyes? Even cheating wasn’t enough to make you see him for who he really is!” Antonio’s voice boomed against the walls and I shuttered, unable to speak. When he realized that his behavior was scaring me a little, his eyes softened.
“Sam, I’m just sayin’…how will you ever get over him if you just keep holding on?”
I tried to relax, but he still hadn’t let my arm go. “Antonio, we both need to just calm down and talk about this some other time,” I reasoned. “I’ll call you tomorrow like I said I would, and we can hash it out then.”
“Why? ‘Cause he’s waiting for you?” He blurted. “After everything he’s done to you and after I’ve rearranged my whole life to be here with you?” The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. “My WHOLE life, Sam…and you’re seriously leaving me to go to him.” He shook his head, not making eye contact, mumbling to himself. “Still playing games.”
I didn’t respond. His expression softened more, but his grip still hadn’t. One step at a time, Antonio positioned himself directly in front of me, lifting my chin so our eyes were locked. My breath quickened as I tried to calculate his next move. There was honestly a look of pity in his eyes when he shook his head.
“You don’t even realize that everything you’re looking for is right in front of you. A man who loves you, who’s loyal, trustworthy,” he rambled. I balled my fist and wouldn’t let him know that his stare intimidated me when he added, “All I’ve tried to do is help you forget him.”
Those words bounced around inside my brain. Help me forget him? I didn’t understand what he meant until he pressed his lips to mine with such violent force that I could taste my own blood in my mouth. With my free hand, I pushed against Antonio’s shoulder for leverage, trying to turn my face away. When I managed to separate my mouth from his, anger washed over him again and, all at once, I realized that this was going to go very wrong if I didn’t get out of there.
“What? I can’t kiss you now? You didn’t mind back in the day.” He smiled a little, glancing down at my lips like he was thinking about kissing me again.
I didn’t even respond to his statement. My eyes were set on my purse I already had my phone and keys in my coat pocket, so if I could just grab my purse, I might…
Another rough kiss interrupted my plans for making an exit. “Antonio! What the hell’re you doing!?!”
“Let me help you forget,” he whispered softly, pulling me closer by my waist. “That’s all I wanna do.”
I felt faint. This wasn’t happening.
“Let me go, Antonio,” I grunted, pushing against him as hard as I could. When that didn’t work, I cocked back to slap him, but to my surprise, he was expecting it and caught my wrist in midair.