The Bet: A Bully Romance(24)

I’ve regretted hitting play on my phone so many times that I wished I could go back in time and punch my fucking self for being such a selfish prick. It didn’t matter how many times I tried to swallow down the pain she had caused me. I had only hurt myself by letting others in on my sick need to hurt her.

“Oh, hey Rem, I didn't know you were here.” Layla saunters up to me, her hips swaying. She wraps her hand around my forearm and leans into me. “It’s really loud in here, wanna go upstairs?” she coaxes, batting her eyelashes at me.

“I just got here, maybe later.”

She gives me a disapproving pout and before I can stop her, she reaches out, wrapping her other hand around my cock. My dick twitches, but not because of Layla’s hand, no, it’s because at that exact second, I spot Jules across the room.

“Feels like he wants to go upstairs,” Layla coos, stepping even closer while rubbing my dick more vigorously. Of course, in that same moment, Jules looks up and sees me with Layla glued to my side like a leech. Even from across the room, I can see the anger simmering in her eyes right below the hurt and disappointment.

She expects better of me, hell I expect better of me.

When Cally sees me, she takes Jules’ arm and pulls her away, and together they disappear into the kitchen. I push Layla off of me and head that way. Now’s my chance to apologize for being a fucking asshole over and over again. I weave through the crowd, trying to get to her, but it seems like the forces are fucking against me. When I catch a break in the crowd, I take it, but I make it all of two steps before Cole’s frame steps in front of me.

“Hey dude.” From his tone alone, I can tell he’s nervous. I’ve known Cole since we started college. There was nothing particularly special about him, but I did consider him to be a friend, at least until he started hanging out with Jules.

“What’s up?” I keep my eyes on the entrance to the kitchen.

“Listen.” He scratches at the back of his head nervously. “Since you are done with Jules and the bet is over, I’m going to try to get with her,” he starts to explain, and already I can feel the jealous rage beating at my chest, waiting to be unleashed.

He smirks, and I want to punch that fucking look right off his ugly face. “I went on a few dates with her and I’m pretty sure I’m going to get some tonight. All I’m asking is, please don’t mess this up by pissing her off. She really hates you, man, and I don’t want her in a bad mood. Can’t get laid if she leaves the party.”

“Who said I was done with her?”

Cole’s eyebrows lift and he gives me a surprised look. “No one, but I mean it’s kind of your thing. You fuck them and leave them. I’ve never seen you with the same girl twice.”

It’s not like he’s lying. I’ve never had sex with the same girl twice, and because of that stupid audio, I all but shoved Jules into Cole’s and any other asshole’s lap.

I shrug, taking a drink from my beer. “Maybe her pussy is just that good.”

“I guess, but seriously…not tonight, Rem. I want her. I’ve worked really hard, and you already won the bet. Let me at least try.” Desperation coats every single word, and I don’t know why I really care. I can’t stop Jules from doing something she wants to do.

She doesn’t belong to me, hasn’t for awhile. If she kept going on dates with him, she must actually like him. Maybe seeing her want someone else is what I need.

“Sure. I won’t interrupt,” I grit the words out. Cole gives me a nod and a slap to the back as if I just did him a favor or something.

“Thanks, Rem. I owe you.”

Bringing the beer bottle to my lips, I tip it back, guzzling it down. I need all the fucking alcohol I can get if I’m going to be subjected to sitting here, and watching Cole seduce the only girl I’ve ever loved.

He walks away and in the direction, I was just going to go. I didn’t expect her to show up here, parties don’t really seem like her thing. I had tried to drag her to a party or two when we were teenagers. She went once and never accompanied me to another.

Like an idiot, I stand there in the middle of the crowded living room staring at the doorway leading into the kitchen.

“Yo Rem! Beer pong?” Alan yells over the music, and I twist around to see the bastard. I find Thomas, Kia, and Alan of course staring at me waiting for my response. I sigh, what the fuck else am I supposed to do? I don’t want Layla, and drinking isn’t doing it for me tonight. I guess I could leave, but there’s no way in fucking hell I’m leaving Jules here, at least not until I’m one hundred percent sure she’s hooking up with Cole.

“Rem, you going to play or what?” Thomas yells this time and I shake my head, pulling myself from my chaotic mind.

“Yeah, give me a fucking second,” I yell back and walk into the kitchen to grab another beer. As soon as I enter, I feel her eyes on me...they blaze a path of fire up and down my body. I do my best not to look at her, but the pull she has on me is magnetic. My heart literally fucking beats for her, it always has.

I grab a beer from the fridge and look at her out of the corner of my eye. Her and Cally sip on their drinks, laughing at something Cole says. The bastard takes that moment to wrap an arm around Jules, pulling her into his chest. Her body language is off, making it seem like she doesn’t want him to touch her, but her smile, the way she’s looking up at him as he talks, says otherwise.