Page 94 of Use Me

“Like what?” I was trying to keep cool, but honestly, hearing that Corey was communicating with Ashtyn was testing my patience to the limit. Who fucking does that? A fucking asshole motherfucker who saw with his own eyes that Ashtyn had moved on, that’s who. What could he possibly have to say or want?

Ashtyn unlocked her phone and began reading them. “Saw you on TV. Your boyfriend get you those seats? You’re too good to text me back now? How was your day? Isn’t today the day we met? I miss you—”

“He what?” I snatched the phone from her grasp and read the rest of the texts.

Corey: I miss you. Call me.

Corey: I love you. I know I said I was lying, but that was a lie.

Corey: Please at least text me back. I made a mistake.

Corey: I can’t stop thinking about you.

Corey: Baby, break up with that loser and marry me. I love you.

“Marry him?” I hissed. “He asked you to marry him?”

“I can’t say that a texted proposal is legit.”

My body was tight as anger radiated through my veins. I was going to kill him. I was going to beat the shit out him like he had to me all those years ago, but I wouldn’t stop until he wasn’t breathing. “I don’t give a shit. Who fucking does this?” I threw the phone on the couch.

“Does it matter? I’ve never texted or called him back.”

“Why haven’t you told me he’s been texting you?”

“Because he just started after New Years.”

“It’s been almost a month,” I hissed.

“I didn’t want you to be mad like you are now.”

I stared at her, processing what she’d said. “I’m mad because he’s only doing this because you’re dating me. Think about it.” I started to pace back and forth in front of the TV.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m with you.”

“You think he’ll stop?”

“I’ll just block his number.”

“Good.” I paced a little more and then yelled slightly, “Wait!”

“Wait?”

I reached out my hand. “Give me your phone.”

“Why?” Ashtyn held it to her chest away from me.

“Because I’m going to call that motherfucker.”

“What? Why?”

I moved to her, my hand still outreached. “Because, Cupcake, he had his chance. He let you go, and I’m never letting you go. He needs to know that.”

“I’ll just block his number, and that will be that.”

I stood in front of her. “Until he shows up at your work or some shit. We’ve already been down that road with a stalker. We don’t need another.”

“If he’s going to stalk me—which he won’t—then he’ll do it even if you call him. Hell, it might make him do it more.”