All I've Never Wanted(97)

I nodded, immediately gulping down the refreshing liquid to soothe the burn from the chili-infused H2O.

“What? So you think my water is inferior to yours or something?” Zack huffed.

“Obviously. Didn’t you see her face turning red?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, it wasn’t that spicy. I just added a dash!”

“Do you even know how much a dash is?”

“Isn’t it the same as a tablespoon?”

“God, you’re so—so—“

“So what?”

“Zack, Venice, stop arguing,” Adriana said sharply. “Or if you are going to continue, don’t do it here.”

“Fine!” they shouted at the same time, then stomped out of the room together, bickering the whole time. Apparently it didn’t take much for them to forget about me.

Not that I was complaining. As much as I loved them, they were giving me a headache.

“Maya, are you ok?” Adriana asked gently, once Zack and Venice’s voices faded away.

I was about to nod, but then wisely settled for a “Uh-huh” instead. I looked around, immediately noting the absence of two certain males. “Where’s Carlo and Roman?”

Adriana and Parker exchanged glances. “They’re outside, honeybee,” Parker finally said. “Do you want them to come in?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I rubbed my forehead. “What happened anyway?”

Adriana looked startled. “You don’t remember?”

I frowned. “I just remember being at the carnival, and I was dancing with that really hot British model, then—oh.” My mouth formed a perfect O as the events of tonight, or last night, or whenever they happened, came flooding back. Oliver had kissed me. Then Roman pulled him off and they got into a fight. And then…Roman punched me.

I immediately slumped back down on the pillows, a lump forming in my throat as I remembered how much that had hurt. Not the physical act itself—though that had been no day at the spa—but everything that led up to that point. I know Roman didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t blame him for the punch.

What I did blame him for, though, was everything else. What the hell had he been thinking, punching Oliver like that? Ok, so maybe the Brit shouldn’t have kissed me, but he didn’t deserve to get his nose broken. His face was literally his moneymaker.

I closed my eyes, tuning Adriana and Parker out. I wasn’t even sure if they were speaking to me. My thoughts were speeding through my head like a runaway train, leaving me even dizzier and a bit nauseous.

I knew Roman had a short temper, I just never expected him to be so violent. It did fit in neatly with his other vices, namely rudeness, arrogance, insensitivity, and downright unreasonableness.

And I liked him? There was something seriously wrong with me.

The door to the room opened, and I immediately tensed. I didn’t have to look to know who the newcomers were.

“Maya, how’re you feeling?”

I finally turned my head to Carlo sitting on the edge of the bed, his face wracked with worry. He brushed his fingers gently over my jaw, and I immediately flinched from the pain.

He immediately dropped his hand. “I’m sorry! Does it hurt that bad?”


I smiled weakly. “Could be worse. How does it look?”

Carlo smiled back, a bit sadly. “Could be worse. It’s a little bruised, but that’ll fade.”

I sighed, and I saw Adriana and Parker quietly slip out in the background. Of course, he was still here, just hovering near the door. He had his hands in his pockets and an unreadable expression on his face.

I pointedly ignored him, but a moment later, he walked over to the bed, causing me to stiffen.

Carlo reached down to grab my hand and squeezed it comfortingly.

There was a heavy silence before Roman spoke up. “You know, I didn’t mean to hit you.”

No apology, no remorse. The statement was delivered in a flat, emotionless tone, like he was a robot or something. Actually, no, scratch that. Even a robot had more feelings than him.

I didn’t say anything. I just stared straight ahead, trying to suppress the anger and hurt coursing through me.

Carlo whispered something fiercely to him, and then Roman reluctantly added, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” My voice was clipped. “I don’t need your apology. Oliver needs it more than I do.”

“I’m not apologizing to that prick!” Roman’s voice rose.

My head snapped up and I glared at him. “Oh, he’s the prick? He wasn’t the one that punched someone for no reason!”

“He kissed you!"

“So? It’s not like he kissed you! Why do you care?”

Roman crossed his arms over his chest. “Because you’re dating Carlo and you’re going around kissing other guys!”

“Oh, we’re not dating,” Carlo said casually, brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes. “Drink some more water, Maya.”

I obeyed, secretly enjoying the stunned look on Roman’s face.

“But—she—other night—lingerie—“ He sputtered, pointing at me.

“I never said I was dating him,” I cut in. “In fact, we’re just friends.” I shrugged.