Page 15 of One Last Time
“God, am I that bad?” I ask Caston when we make it to the VIP area.
He gives me the side eye. “You serious?”
I nod, “Yeah, man, have I turned into that much of an asshole since Pay and I split?”
“You’re worse man. Way fucking worse,” he says honestly.
Fuck, it shouldn’t hurt, but it does. “Don’t hold back.”
He takes a swig of his beer, “Your girl is sweet. Everything I’ve learned tells me that. You think fucking every woman in Washington State is going to help you get over her? You think she hasn’t seen the paparazzi photos? The different women you have each night?”
“What am I supposed to do? Sit at home and wait for her? Be celibate?”
“Do you think she’s celibate?” he fires back with a smirk.
The thought of her and some other guy sends my blood pumping. I want to find whoever it is and kill them. She’s mine.
“That’s what I thought.” He’s a smug shit. “Look, what I’m trying to say is, you believe that you and Payton are destined to be together, much like Saya and I are. You think she’ll want to be with you after all the women you fucked?”
No, I don’t. Fuck.
“I’m not telling you how to live your life, but you’ve got to think about the future. Whether that’s with Payton or not. You want to screw countless women? Then do that, just don’t act like a fucking asshole when you regret it in the morning.”
“Who’d have thought that you’d be the one to dish out relationship advice?” Tate says as he comes to sit down beside us, a satisfied smile on his face. Guess he and his lady friend already found their release.
“Fuck you, asshole. I’ve a whole lot of home truths for your ass too, but I know that you’re not in any state of mind to listen to them.” Caston doesn’t even spare him a look.
“Cas, man, what’s going on?” This isn’t like him, while he’s speaking the truth about my relationship, he’s not usually this angry.
“You think the shit that you two have been pulling hasn’t been weighing on Saya’s mind? She sees how quickly you forgot about your women and thinks I’ll do the same to her.” He shakes his head. “Stupid.”
“Shit, man,” I say, feeling guilty, I’ve been absorbed in my own shit, I’ve not been in his.
“Don’t, it’s fine. I’ll find out what’s going on with her. It’s all good.” He flashes me his smile, and I know that he’s going to be alright, for now at least.
I finish my beer and look out at the sea of people gyrating to the music. “I’m not in the mood for this shit. I’m heading home.” I get to my feet, and I’m not shocked to see Caston following me. Tate, however hasn’t had his fill for the night. “Catch you later,” I murmur to him as I pass by him, moving toward the exit.
Caston’s words are playing on my mind. If I do get the chance with her again, she’s really going to think I’m an asshole when she finds out how I’ve been treating women. I’d never do that to her, she’s different compared to the rest.
Fuck. My mind is racing, I need to find her. Now that I’ve finished college, I’ll get someone to do some digging. I want my girl back.
CHAPTER 9
Payton
FIVE MONTHS LATER
“Oh my God, Pay, have you seen them?” The pride and happiness that’s in Dahlia’s voice makes me smile.
“I saw them. I think I’m still in shock.”
Today, my face graces billboards. Bianca and I knew it was coming. I’d been warned, but to actually see myself on a billboard is shocking. I was grateful to have my girl with me, basking in the joy that I felt. She’s been one of my biggest supporters, and I couldn’t be more proud to have her as my best friend.
The campaign was set to launch in July, but Angelina Serafini wasn’t happy with some of the advertising, and it was set back to today. My nerves have been frayed as I’ve waited patiently for it to be unveiled. But I know that Angelina is over the moon at the end result. So far today, I’ve had a call from her and Jerald, both of them are happy, and Serafini has asked me to be the face of her lingerie brand.
“Are you okay about them?” I ask her as I nibble on my bottom lip. The pictures aren’t exactly clean. They’re extremely risqué. I’m in my underwear, and even if I do say so myself, I look very sexy. I was shocked at just how beautiful I looked in them.
“Yes, you’re an adult now, and if you didn’t want to do them, you wouldn’t have. I trust your judgement, Pay. The images are amazing, and you look so beautiful.” She tells me, and I can hear that she’s close to crying.