Page 256 of Hot Mess
“Uh, you’re just leaving me here?”
“No,” I said, opening the door and waiting for her. “You’re coming with me.”
She came, but as we made our way back through the crowd, she touched my arm and said, “Hey… did you tell Carter to leave?” like she’d just realized he was gone.
I turned to face her. “Would you care if I did?”
“Well…” She studied me, definitely wondering what the fuck I’d said to him. “It would just be unlike him to leave my birthday party without saying good night, and asking if I’m okay getting home and stuff.”
Uh-huh.Because he’s always kissing your ass.
Did she not fucking get that?
Maybe not. Because she was still fucking talking about him.
“Did he leave?” she said. “What did you tell him?” Like she was afraid I’d hurt her ex-boyfriend’s feelings or something?
Which rubbed me totally wrong.
So I decided to lay it out for her.
“You know what?” I said. “This is bullshit. I’ve had my heart broken too many times, and I know, boo-fucking-hoo, right? Not your problem. But the thing is, I’m not doing it anymore. I’m not gonna chase after people, wait around for people or put my heart behind anyone who doesn’t want me—no, need me—like I need them. So if you need to think about that, Danica, go ahead. You do what you need to do.”
“Ash—”
“You want to be with me or you don’t. Figure it out, but I’m not gonna be waiting around while you decide.”
Then I walked away. I almost plowed right into Taylor, who took one look at our faces and quickly snagged Danica, pulling her aside.
I kept right on walking. I went straight for the door. I had no reason to stay here.
If Danica was gonna challenge me on this stupid shit about her ex-boyfriend?
What was the point?
She could kiss my ass if she wanted that douche around more than she wanted me.
I took a glance around, and I spotted Summer. I’d pass her on my way to the door. I didn’t see Xander, though. He’d come here tonight because I invited him, but fuck it. I’d just throw him a text to let him know I was out.
Wasn’t even gonna waste another second thinking about Danica Vola if this was the kind of shit she was gonna pull on me.
Unfortunately, her twin sister popped up in front of me and Haz before I could finish blazing my exit trail.
“Where the hell are you going with that look on your face?” she demanded. “Did I just see you yell at my sister?” She had her hands on her hips, blocking my way.
I could feel Haz watching, and I glanced at him. He gave me an amused look, like,Should I do something about this?
I sighed. “It’s none of your fucking business,” I informed Daniella.
“Oh, hell no. If you’re about to storm out on my sister, on our birthday, you’re the biggest fucking douche in the world and you need to know it. And that is definitely my business.”
She was probably right, at least about the storming out thing, but that shit got right under my skin. How had I become the douche in this situation?
So I got right in her face and told her, “I realize she’s your sister and you love her, but so do I. Stay out of my relationship with her.”
Then I went to move past her, but stopped. I ripped the onyx ring off my finger and shoved it into her hand.
“You can give her this,” I said.
