Page 27 of Don’t Leave (Stay #2)

COLE

W ell shit.

With my brows pinched together, I watch as Cassidy races from the Union like the hounds of hell are nipping at her heels.

In my head, I saw this lunch working out differently.

I blow out a frustrated breath and turn my attention back to Vanessa and Andrea before glaring at them. “Seriously, what did you do that for?”

They both collapse into a fit of giggles. “It’s so fun screwing with these girls who want to get a great big taste of Cole.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, well, I was kind of hoping to smooth things over with that particular girl. Up until about a week ago, I was seeing her.”

Vanessa’s eyes widen. “Then maybe you should have said something, instead of letting me paw you in front of her.”

Andrea links an arm through her friend’s and takes up Vanessa’s side. “Yeah, Cole. We thought she was one of those silly groupies who are constantly throwing themselves at you. Usually, you’re more than happy when we intervene.”

She’s right.

Normally, I am.

There have been a lot of times when Vanessa and Andrea’s attention has come in handy.

But not this one.

“I think you blew my chances of getting back together with her to shit.”

Andrea shrugs. “It’s not a big deal. Just tell her we were joking around.”

“Everyone around here knows that we’re into chicks, not dicks,” Vanessa adds as if it’s completely obvious they’re lesbians.

My gaze slides back to the last place I saw Cassidy before she disappeared through the crowd as I plow a hand through my hair.

“Well, we’ve got to get moving.” Andrea flashes me an overly bright smile.

“Yeah, see you Saturday!” Vanessa chimes in.

They take off as well, leaving me to stand by myself at the burger place. I’m debating whether to skip lunch when someone steps into my space. For a moment, my pulse picks up speed, hoping Cassidy has returned.

Even if it’s to chew my ass out.

“You seriously can’t be that much of a douche.”

Nope. Definitely not Cassidy.

The urge to squeeze my eyes shut and bang my head against a wall slides through me.

Because yeah…apparently I am that much of a douche.

Luke is the last person I want to deal with. I’m already kicking myself in the ass for allowing Cassidy to think I have any interest in either girl. Those two are only interested in each other and everyone who knows them is aware of that.

Now…am I above using their antics to get rid of unsuspecting chicks I have zero interest in?

Guilty as charged.

Should I have allowed it to spiral so far out of control with Cassidy that she’d jump to the wrong conclusion?

Guess I really am a douche.

I hate playing games, but that’s exactly what I did. I wanted to test the waters and see what her interest level was. I mean, she did stroll into the Union with Luke, and they looked pretty damn chummy while doing it.

What I didn’t expect was for her to fly out of here like she did.

“Stay out of it, Wellington,” I growl. “It’s none of your damn business.” The fact that he’s here, getting in my face over something that has to do with Cassidy, pisses me off.

It fucking killed me to let her go, but I can’t be with a girl who’s into another guy. And there’s something between Cassidy and Luke. I can feel it simmering in the air around them. What I don’t know is how deep her feelings for him run.

I know he wants her.

I see it in his eyes every damn time he looks at her.

Even with all her protests and denials, I expected them to get together as soon as I pulled the plug on our relationship.

The thought of her with anyone else drives me crazy.

And this guy is one of my teammates. He’s supposed to have my back, not steal my girl right out from beneath my nose.

Luke’s brows snap together. He has the nerve to look as angry as I’m currently feeling. “She likes you, dude,” he snaps. “Why would you hurt her like that?”

All his words do is leave me feeling like an even bigger asshole.

And I don’t need that.

Especially from him.

I run another hand through my hair while trying to keep a lid on my temper. “Stay out of my relationship with Cassidy.” There’s a pause before I bark, “What do you even care? I’m sure this is exactly what you wanted to happen.”

If he’s at all surprised by the accusation, he doesn’t show it, which only infuriates me more. When he doesn’t bother to deny it, my fists bunch at my sides.

“Cassidy is an amazing girl and if you’re stupid enough to let our friendship get in the way of your relationship, then you’re not the guy I thought you were.” His steely-eyed gaze searches mine. “Maybe you don’t deserve her after all.”

His words are like gasoline poured all over my temper.

It’s taking every ounce of self-control not to haul off and punch this asshole in his face.

“You don’t have a friendship.” I shake my head.

“She feels beholden to you because you were there that night and,” I force out the rest between clenched teeth, “got her out of a bad situation. All it’s done is mess with her head. ”

Luke steps closer, encroaching on my personal space. I stand my ground as he stays put. I release a steady breath and make a conscious effort to unclench my hands.

Instead of getting any further in my face, he shakes his head as if I’m a total loser. And damn if that doesn’t grate against my last nerve.

“I can’t believe how wrong I was about you.

” His eyes narrow. “I was giving you both time to work your shit out, but you know what? You don’t deserve her.

” As if what he just said wasn’t bad enough, he continues.

“Do I want Cassidy? Damn right, I do. And I’m not going to let you stand in my way any longer.

” He sneers out the rest. “If you want her, Mathews, then you better step up your game because the gloves are coming off.” He stabs a finger against my chest and drops his voice.

“And when she’s finally mine, I’ll treat her so damn good, you’ll be nothing more than a blip in her past that she can barely remember. ”

This fucking guy.

It’s taking everything I have inside not to grab him by the shirtfront and throw his ass into the food counter.

Instead of giving in to the rage boiling inside me, I take a step back, giving us both a bit of much-needed space.

I won’t jeopardize my future for a few seconds of gratification.

Even if he does deserve it. I’ve made enough mistakes today.

“Fuck you, Wellington.” Unfortunately, there is zero satisfaction in those growled out words.

His upper lip curls. “Yeah, well…I think you’ve done a fan-fucking-tastic job of screwing yourself where Cassidy is concerned. Good luck with that, man.”

With a clap on the shoulder, he’s leaves me standing there like an impotent asshole with my hands clenched and a nasty pit gnawing at the bottom of my gut.

What I’m most afraid of is that Luke might be right in his assessment of the situation.

I’ve totally fucked myself with my stupidity and jealousy as far as Cassidy is concerned.

For the first time in my life, I don’t know what to do.