Twisted (43 page)

"When something seems good don't fuck it up, because it
definitely isn't gonna be any better on the other side."  Lost in his own
disillusionment, he got in the car and turned it on.

"Where were you two months ago?  I could’ve used that
lesson then.”

Spencer stared at me for a second, sharpening my nerves.  Then,
without speaking, he threw the car in reverse and quickly drove off.  From that
look he gave me and the speed he was travelling, I figured he didn’t appreciate
me trying to apply his lesson to my relationship with Edwin.

"You're dangerous you know," I said.  And I wasn’t
referring to his driving.

"Am I?"

"Yes.  You're just like my friend Maddie.  When you want
something, you go for it, even when the odds aren’t in your favour. 
Unfortunately, like Aliah, you always expect to win in the end and that can be
dangerous."  I glanced out my window, at the passing houses.

"So why is it that I'm pulling into your driveway after
dark and I know you're not going to invite me in?  I thought you thrived on
dangerous men."

"Are you really asking that?”

He slipped the car into park.  "Not an answer.”

"Fine.  Bad timing," I said briskly.

"There's more to it than that.  You can’t fool me Abby."

I spun around to face him, my eyes narrowed in on his.  "Fine! 
My turn to teach you a little life lesson:  You can't always get what you want
and the cold hard truth hurts.  I’m sorry, but it’s just not ever gonna happen
between us."

"I'm glad we had this talk," Spencer said
sarcastically, staring out the front windshield.

I cracked my door open but, suddenly feeling incredibly
guilty, I couldn’t leave him like this.  "So are you ready to move on
now?" I asked.

“I've definitely learned a lot tonight.  I have to quit
trying so damn hard.  Who knows, maybe the right girl will find me.  Until
then, you're stuck in my dreams."  A wicked smile curled onto his lips and
it was almost as sexy as that damned accent.

"Enjoy me there then,” I said sarcastically.  “At least
I won't be a plastered wreck.  Thank you for dinner."

He reached for my hand and squeezed it, then drew it to his
mouth, his kiss soft, his icy eyes gleaming at me.  "You're everything a
guy could ever want Abigail.  Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. 
Edwin's a fool to let you go."

I closed my eyes to hide my expression from the sudden
squeeze on my heart.  With a deep breath, I pushed open my door.  "Goodnight
Spencer.”

Not releasing my hand, he drew my eyes back to his.  "Are
you sure you don't need help getting to your bed?" he said, smiling.

"Goodnight Spencer," I repeated, more forcefully
this time.

"Goodnight," he replied, his devious smile still
lurking on his handsome face.

I closed the door and gracelessly stumbled up my stairs. 
Spencer flashed his lights and honked his horn to acknowledge my clumsiness, despite
the hour.  I fumbled with my keys at the door, until it creaked open.  I pushed
the door open wide and found Edwin standing on the other side, Spencer still
backing out of the driveway.

"It wasn't locked," Edwin said, stern and angry. 
What’s his problem?

Aside from awakening all of my neighbours, Spencer’s ignorant
honking and light show had done exactly what he set out to do.  It solidified Edwin’s
distance from me, by making his presence known.  Spencer honked two more times
before he squealed off in his fast car.  I scrunched my eyes shut, hoping if I
held them long enough that the night would just be over already.  But when I
opened them, Edwin was staring at me, his eyes dark and dangerous.

"Who the hell was that?" he boomed.

"Spencer.  Who do you think?"

"Who?"

I rolled my eyes.  "Don't play dumb.  Spencer.  Spencer
Caldwell.”

"What were you doing with him?  Tell me you were not on
a date," he snapped.

"It wasn't a date.  We're just friends.  Aliah was there
and so was Spencer's friend Dexter, if you must know."

"Sounds like a date to me.  You know there's no such
thing as being
just friends
with a guy.  He only wants in your
pants."

"Oh really?  And what is it that you want?" I
stammered, still feeling the emptiness in my gut and whirling in my head.

"That's not fair."

"Who said anyone was playing by the book?  What's truly
unfair Eddie, is how you're acting.  If we're not together –
and we're not
– then we're free to date whoever we like, as single consenting adults," I
added, mocking his own ridiculous concept.

"You're sleeping with him again," he stated, as if
he knew it for a fact.  And when I didn’t answer, Edwin flagged his hands in the
air in disbelief.

"I didn't say that," I slurred.  "All I’m
saying is: it’s time to move on.  If I learned one thing tonight, it's that all
this bull shit arguing is useless."

"In other words, you're dating him again and you want my
permission to sleep with him," Edwin growled.

"Edwin!  You seriously need to get over yourself.  I
don't need your permission.  And for your information, it's not always about
sex.  Spencer understands me."

"Yeah.  He understands what he has to say to get back in
your pants.  I see how drunk you are.  You played right into his little
game."

"I'm not sleeping with him!" I screamed, yanking
off my shoes and throwing them to the floor.  "Are you happy now?  You've
fucked me up so bad that I can't even enjoy a night out with a good friend! 
Well guess what: tomorrow's a new day."

Copyright ©
2013 Christa Simpson.  All rights
reserved.