“You can see whoever you want. In fact, I don't want to hold you back anymore because your end of the bargain is done and basically so is mine so we can just end this right here. Mess dealt with. Go back to just being roommates who aren't fake dating and who don't fuck each other when we're bored.”
His eyes darken, his voice dangerously low. “When we're bored? That's why you’re sleeping with me? Because it entertains you?”
“Doesn’t it entertain you? Don't you just enjoy feeling good? We've always been a means to an end, you and I.”
“You're pulling a lot of shit out of your ass right now and you're going to regret it later.” He runs his hands through his hair before dropping his arms loudly to his sides.
“I don't think so.” Leaving the room, I grab my keys, purse and jacket. No idea where I’m going, I just can’t stay here. “I'm going out. Don't wait up. Roommates don't do that.”
Arden follows me out of his room. “Right, actually why don't you go call Nico if you get bored.”
I look back at him as I leave, his eyes have softened a bit, filled more with concern than anger. But it’s too late. “Maybe I fucking will.” I slam the door behind me.
Chapter Forty-Two
Danika
OfcourseIdon’tcall Nico. That would be fucking absurd.
But I do end up going someplace I never thought I’d be. The school gym.
Sydney always said that exercising gave her endorphins and I could sure as hell use a few of those right about now. Maybe if I got on the treadmill, I could run off some of this pent up energy and anger.
After about thirty seconds jogging at four miles per hour, I realize this issonot going to work for me and I hop off, thinking maybe a trip to the mall and a little retail shopping would be more my speed.
As I head toward the door, a few guys huff loudly as they punch a hanging bag, catching my attention. Looking past, I double take when I see Nico there, gloves covering his hands. He hits the bag a few times, aggressively, then backs up and sips his water.
Perfect.If anyone deserves my anger right now, it’s Nico.
“Hey,” I shout at him as I stomp over. “Hey!”
Nico looks up from his water, in fact all four men look over but my rage filled eyes are locked on my ex-boyfriend’s.
“Danika? What are you doing here?”
“Outside, now.”
I turn on my heels and march toward the door, knowing he’s following without having to look backward. Throwing open the door, I head into the crisp November air. Nico catches the door before it closes behind me.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
I whip around, ready to give him my all. But before I can, I see the concern in his eyes. They are a mirror of how Arden’s looked right before I left.
And before I know it, the floodgates have opened and I find myself not able to stop the tears as they waterfall down my cheeks.
“Jesus Christ, Danika. What is going on?” Nico reaches out to pull me in but I swat him away. “You’re scaring the shit out of me.”
“How did you get the black eye?”
Nico rears back a bit, surprised by my question. I never got to the bottom of that situation and Nico was happy to let me think that Arden hit him even though I know he didn’t.
Nico nods a few times, seeming to come to a decision in his head, before nodding backward toward the gym. “I’ve been boxing at the gym for a few months. Caught a stray hit from a friend.”
“So, it wasn’t Arden.”
“No, Danika. Your boyfriend didn’t hit me in the face.”
“But you happily let me believe he did?”