Page 32 of Rain or Shine
“You heard me,” I tell her, staring down at her through narrowed eyes.
“I never had sex with him,” she admits, her own anger coming to the surface. “I might have had sex the first time meeting you, but I’m no slut. I don’t typically sleep with every man I talk to.”
“So, what, I’m the exception?” I highly doubted it.
“Actually, yes,” Delaney snaps, hands going to her hips. “I’m not a slut or whore. I don’t go to nightclubs on a daily basis looking for a hookup. I wasn’t even planning to sleep with you.” She takes a step into my space, lifts on her tiptoes, getting as close to eye level with me as she can. Points her finger at my chest and continues her rant, “I don’t need a man. I told youabout the pregnancies because you have a right to know. For the record, I haven’t been with a man for more than a year. And I can count on one hand the number of men I’ve been with, including the night we spent time together. Now, I’m going to work and hope no one witnessed this little scene. Have a good day, Tyler.”
With that, she turns away from me, grabs her stuff, and marches up to the school, disappearing into the building. The entire time, I stare after her, fighting to go after her. To pull her into me and claim that mouth of hers.
The way she stood up to me has my dick throbbing. It was hot the way she showed her backbone. She’s definitely no wallflower.
Chapter Thirteen
Delaney
This day is one for the books. It simply refused to be a good one. In truth, it has to have been the worst one I’ve had in a while. Throughout the entire day, I’ve endured the stares and whispersof my coworkers.I caught snippets here and there of what they were gossiping about. I can only imagine the rumor mill they’re putting together.
Rumors. God, I hate the gossip that people speak of just to run their mouths.
I truly wish I could kick the person in the shin for starting it in the first place. I have my suspicions of who is behind it. However, without confronting her, it’s impossible, but I’m sure Lily’s behind it. Her desk has a direct view of the parking lot. She could’ve witnessed the whole ordeal of me facing off with Tyler and my encounter with Philip.
I’m just glad it’s over with for the day, and I can go home. Though I doubt I’ll be able to relax. Throughout the day, I’ve replayed my standoff with Tyler. I’ve never felt more hurt than I did when he demanded to know if the twins were even his.
I’m not a liar. I’d surely never lie about something so important.
I’m so mad at him for daring to accuse me of something so malicious and vindictive. If I didn’t know who the father was, I’d never have told him in the first place. That, or I would have had the very uncomfortable conversation, explained the situation to him, and asked him to do a DNA test.
However, I don’t have to do any of that because I know the truth.
Sighing, I hop into the driver's seat of my truck and head home.
The drive doesn’t take me long, but when I pull down the street, I find it blocked off by fire trucks and police cars.
“What the hell?” I park on the side of the road and get out to be able to get a better look at what’s going on.
The smell of smoke is strong, and my heart hammers in my chest as I look around the fire engine. The hammering intensifies as I see my childhood home engulfed in flames.
“Ma’am, you need to back up,” a police officer says, arms stretched out to keep me at a safe distance.
“But that’s my house!” I cry out, my voice cracking as I watch the flames consume everything I’ve ever known. The roof collapses inward with a deafening crash, sending sparks spiraling into the evening sky.
“I understand, ma’am, but you need to stay back for your own safety,” the officer says, his tone softening.
“Oh, God.” Tears stream down my face. “How did this happen?” I know I didn’t leave anything on inside that could start a fire. I didn’t even used the stove this morning.
“Do you need me to call anyone for you?” the officer asks, eyes full of concern.
I shake my head and turn away, moving toward my truck. I open the passenger side door and reach for my phone. I don’t pay attention as I open the call list and press a name.
I don’t realize I dialed the wrong number until Tyler answers.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
Silence strikes me that I called him.
“Delaney?” he calls out my name when I don’t answer him.
I clear my throat and stare ahead at the burning house.
