My tears had started to flow again as I stepped out from the shower so I quickly wiped them away with the towel then dried myself before wrapping a dry one around my body.
Callie would know what to do – maybe. I smiled and wondered what she thought of the picture of Donovan I’d sent her earlier. He’d given her the look that he seemed to give all the cute ladies. Panty wetting.
Back in my room with my yoga pants and t-shirt on, I grabbed my cell from my purse and dialed Callie praying she wasn’t already tucked up in bed.
“This better be good.”
“Thank God you’re awake. I need help.” I lay back on my bed.
“What have you done now?” And please tell me it doesn’t have anything to do with...Jack.”
“It’s everything to do with him. I’m in love with him Callie. So much it hurts.” I took a breath and tried to carry-on. “We kind of made love earlier in the storeroom of a bar. Then afterwards when we were outside Liam interrupted and Phoenix apologized.”
“Back up a bit. Who’s Phoenix? And why was he apologizing to you?”
“Phoenix is Jack and he’s in a band with two of his friends. I love the name and told him from now on I’d call him that. I assumed he was apologizing for making love to me; although he didn’t...you know – inside me. He didn’t have a condom.”
“So he’s irresponsible!”
“No, no. My guess is, because he’s supposed to be marrying Mia that he never expected to need one. He hasn’t been with anyone in about twelve months.”
My last statement was met by silence and I checked the phone to make sure I hadn’t hung up on her.
“You believe him?” Her voice was quiet and serious.
“Yeah, I do... You know if you want to... I could always have a word with Liam and you could come visit.” I hoped she’d come, because I needed some support. Liam might have admitted to being in love with Mia, but it was his family and I didn’t want to put him on the spot. I certainly wasn’t leaving to go to Texas; that wouldn’t work at all. “Did you get the picture of the hottie waiting to meet you?”
“Fuck, you’re not playing fair.”
“So you’ll come?” I crossed my fingers.
“Let me talk to my mom and I’ll let you know, okay? You feeling all right now?”
“Yeah, I am. Thanks to you.”
“I need to go, but I’ll be in touch soon. Love you, Thalia.”
“Love you too.”
Staring up at the ceiling I hoped Phoenix was okay. I didn’t believe for a minute that he was sorry for what we’d done. Maybe he was sorry for walking away and leaving me with Liam like he did, but he wasn’t sorry for loving me.
I turned into my quilt and fell asleep letting the tears fall down my cheeks.
Chapter 39
Jack
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I was a bastard. A pretty strong word I’d used a few times to describe myself since I’d met Thalia.
I’d practically had my cock inside her at Kix, which I sure as hell didn’t regret, although that’s probably what Thalia was thinking after I’d told her I was sorry. I’d apologized for leaving her with Liam in the parking lot, knowing I had to get out of there before I took her with me.
I’d walked off into the forest to try and get myself together, because I’d felt as though I was about to break apart and didn’t want anyone to witness my downfall.
“Are you planning on sitting out here all night sulking like a girl?” Ryder asked leaning against one of the trees.
I sighed. “Maybe.”
“I don’t understand you. Usually by now I have people worked out, full psych, you know. But you, I have no idea why you’re doing what you do.”
“Family.”
“The girl you ran after. Does she mean something to you?”
I cast a look in his direction. “Yeah, she does.”
“So why are you marrying someone else?” Ryder sat opposite me on a fallen tree and rested his hands on his knees. “I know all about family responsibility, but at the end of the day it’s your life and you’re the only one who has to live it. If she’s what you want, don’t let her get away, because like I said before, if you do, you’ll spend the rest of your life regretting it...and yes, it’s the voice of experience.”
I was shocked, because although I’d had conversations with Ryder before, I didn’t think he’d ever said so much.
“Wow.”
“Yeah I know. Shocked myself with that.” He laughed and looked embarrassed which had me trying to hide a grin, but by the scowl on his face, I didn’t think I’d succeeded.
“It’s complicated.” I ran my hands through my hair. “I better get back and rescue Donovan; he hates being put on the spot.”
“Yeah, I gathered that.”
As we came out of the forest Dahlia was climbing into her car looking pissed.
“Why does he bother with her? He could have anyone he wants. Fuck, the girls throw themselves at him, but he always goes off outback with her.”
“Don’t be too hard on her, she has it rough. Reece has known her since they were kids. I think he’s her only friend.”
Ryder walked back into the bar through the back door while I stayed put, wondering why he was so bothered about what Reece got up to and with her.