Page 14 of Wrapped in Red

“Carson.”

We stared at one another before he finally threw his arms up in the air. “Fine, you want to go? Leave, but don’t expect me to come running after you. I let my boyfriend break up with me, didn’t chase him this time, for you, and you want to just run away with your tail between your legs without talking to me. Again. Just like the last time.”

“That’s not fair!” I felt my stomach twist, and something funny swirled around inside. “You can’t just expect me to dump all my secrets on you.”

CC’s face grew dark. “Why not? You want me to tell you mine, because I will. I’ll tell you every dirty, dark, and filthy thing, boo, but you have to start.”

“I’m not playing this twisted version of never have I ever with you,” I whispered.

“Scared?” CC asked.

Fucking petrified because this is a game I didn’t want to win.

“As if. I’m just above all that. I have to go.”

When I walked around his large body, I expected CC to stop me. Call my bluff, but when he didn’t and I started down the stairs, moved into the foyer, and opened the front door, I was disappointed. A feeling of sadness clung to me, but I kept going, not stopping until I got home and buried myself under the blankets in my bed, where I surprised myself by bursting into tears.

Chapter Four

Ezra

Istared up at theceiling of my apartment and listened to the sounds of my next-door neighbors. They were fighting, again, which wasn’t a surprise. It would be only a matter of time before the husband left, slamming the door, stomped down the stairs, and drove off in his truck, leaving the wife crying. He would come back later, of course, and they would make up like they always did, but right now? It was their screaming and yelling that had me up at the ungodly hour of—I turned to tap my phone, five forty-two in the morning. If I didn’t love my apartment so much, and I really did, I might consider looking for a new one. The location was perfect, right on the beach. I had a porch and so many windows that brought in fabulous light. Too bad my neighbors were just inconsiderate assholes.

My heart still ached from what happened last night. I should have just stayed, talked to CC. We had just made up after not talking for months; and now he was boyfriend-less, mad at me again, and I was brokenhearted because he was upset with me about what I had chosen as a career.

My lip curled over my teeth. Wait, who was CC to judge me? It wasn’t a bad gig. I enjoyed people getting off watching me, tipping me, dropping into my DM’s, and asking for more. My “fans”—and I used that word lightly because I wasn’t some huge star like CC was—sent me messages, commented on my posts, told me they enjoyed my work, said I was gorgeous, and maybe that was why I did what I did. It made me feel important. Instead of justEzra.

I didn’t collaborate with others often. A couple of men here and there. It wasn’t something I enjoyed doing. I liked solo things better. My hand and toys worked just fine, but when the urge hit me, I would work with another man. It had been a good six months, at least, since I had been with someone else, which was why I had gone on that date in the first place. Big mistake. I would stick to doing what I was good at. Going out with my abusive ex was a horrible idea, and I should have known better.

I dragged a hand down my face before I gave up trying to sleep and sat up, letting the blanket pool around my waist. A sadness I hadn’t felt in a long time clung to my body. Guess there wouldn’t be any early morning Black Friday shopping with CC. I had expected to hear from him last night, but maybe he had deleted my number. Blocked me or just given up. I couldn’t blame the man. I was a hot mess on a good day, and I had just somersaulted right back into his life, then ruined his relationship with a snap of my fingers.

Great job, Ezra. You really do know how to make an entrance.

I managed to climb from the mattress, stopping to make my bed before I wandered into the bathroom and flipped on the light. I blinked as it temporally blinded me before I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, my dark eyes sad, and ugly bruises covered my face. They still looked as fresh as the morning after it happened.

Stupid, bossy, needy, Ezra. Always have to be in charge. No wonder no one likes you. Even your own best friend probably hates you again. Where does that leave you? Alone, with no one, and that’s just the way you always knew it would be.