A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(26)

“Only a little.”

“Sit. This is gonna take a while.”

After I finish with Sam’s saga, she sits there with her jaw sagging. “That’s all so f*cked up I don’t even know where to start.”

“Thank you.”

Then she gets that sinister look in her eye. “So, he got you off, huh?”

I hit her with pillow. “Is that all you can think of?”

“Admit it. Isn’t that all you’re thinking of?”

“Well, yeah, but I don’t know anything about him.”

Her eyes resemble a flying squirrel’s. “Where did he do it?”

I point to the far wall. “There.”

I can see the muscles move as she swallows. “Holy hell. That’s hot.”

“Yeah. Why do you think I can’t sleep?”

“What about your rabbit?”

“I thought about it, but weirdly enough, I keep having this vision of dark messy hair, a set of gray eyes, with my legs draped over his shoulders servicing my lady garden in the produce section at Whole Foods. No thanks. I’m trying to get all that out of my head.”

“Jesus, Sam. You really are a sick person. Do you think he’ll call again?”

An awful sounding laugh bursts out of me and then it morphs into a case of ugly tears. And boy, do they ever flow. I don’t consider myself a crying sort. In fact, the last time I cried was when I caught Trevor slurping up that chick’s tongue. I’m not sure why I’m crying now, other than I think I’ve just overdosed on too much shit for Sam to take in one night.

Lauren throws her arms around me and shoulders my tears. “Aww, it’s gonna be all right, Sammy girl. Trevor is an * and we need to figure this thing out with Ben.”

I raise my head from the refuge of her body and say, “But that’s the point. All I seem to get are *s. What is it with me? Why can’t I attract a decent guy? Someone who genuinely cares about me and not my vagina, for once?”

“Gee, just think about it. You must have one kick ass vagina. Be proud of that thing!” she says.

“I’m serious!”

“I know, sweets. He’s out there. I know he is. And when you find him, he’ll be the most awesome guy in the universe.”

“I’m not asking for the universe. I’ll take the world, thank you.”

The next morning a gorgeous June day greets me. The sky is crystal clear and the birds are chirping like nothing’s amiss. If only. When I get to the bathroom sink, I look in the mirror and want to curse. Dark purple half moons are sitting below my eyes. Too bad it’s not Halloween—I already have the zombie look started, and with a bit of makeup, I could be there in no time. Good thing I don’t have any plans today. After a few splashes of cool water on my face, I brush my teeth and twist my hair into a messy bun. Then I stomp into the kitchen to put on the coffee. After I think about it for a minute, I decide a triple latte is in order, so I throw on some shorts and running shoes, and get ready to make the quick run the Starbucks. Only I’m caught up by the coffee and bag that await me on my porch.

“Damn it, Trevor,” I murmur to no one. I snatch the goodies up and turn to go inside when I notice the note. As I plop on the couch I almost choke on my bite of scone.



I’m sorry if I acted like an ass last night.

I was way out of line. I hope I didn’t blow any chance

I had with you over my stupidity.

I hope you’re ready for breakfast.

Trevor



A couple of minutes later my phone buzzes. When I check it, I see it’s him. I’m not really sure I want to answer it. But then my curiosity gets the better of me.

“Hey.”

“How’s the latte?”

“Latte-ish.”

He laughs. What used to warm me only makes me want to end the call now.

“And the scone? I suppose it’s sconish?”

“Not at all.”

“No?”

“Look, Trevor, I appreciate the gesture. It was nice. But after last night, I’m not quite ready…” I can’t finish before he cuts me off.

“I’m sorry I scared you off last night. I really f*cked up and I’m sorry.”

“I guess you and I are sort of running on parallel roads here.”

He’s quiet for a short minute, then says, “Maybe I’m hoping for too much, too fast.”

“Probably.”

“So do I have any chance at all? And Sam, be honest with me.”

I don’t know what to say, so I do what I always do because, even if I have to sacrifice my own, I hate to hurt anyone else’s feelings. “Yes, Trevor, you have a chance. Just don’t come on so strong, okay?”

“Okay. Would it be too much to ask you to dinner again?”

“No, but can you give me a week?”

“You’ve got it. I’ll call you next week. And Sam, I just want you to know that you’re worth the wait. Every single minute.”

He ends the call and I groan, wanting to sling my phone across the room. I’m such a sucker and a dumbass.

“What’s that all about?” Lauren asks, walking in from her bedroom.

I give her the scoop and she laughs. “When it rains it comes down in buckets, right?” She pats my back and adds, “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out the way it’s supposed to. What we need is a girl’s dinner out. Like maybe this week.”