Chapter 6

"Get out of the car!"

It felt like my heart stopped. Not because of Dorry’s yelling, but because the car screeched to a sudden halt. My whole body jerked forward like my soul was yanked out midair.

"You’re such a jerk!"

I blinked fast, still dazed from the abrupt stop, only to find her long, sharp nails waving dangerously close to my eyes.

"Get out!" she barked, raising her hand like she was about to slap me across the face.

“Why should I?” I managed, my voice shaky but steady enough to sound pissed.

I caught my breath, let her jab her finger at me, and stayed put. She wasn’t the only one affected.

Her cheeks flushed bright red. Her nostrils flared. Her whole face twisted like she was one scream away from combusting.

"You’ve been at it since earlier, Nelson! Your jabs aren’t funny! You’re an attention-starved lunatic!"

I scoffed. "Did I ever say I wanted your attention? And what exactly are you so angry about, huh? I’m just stating facts here. Back when we did that, you weren’t mad. You enjoyed the ride, remember?"

Her hands shot up to cover her ears. "Stop it, Nelson!" she shouted. "I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to remember!"

I froze for half a second.

What the hell was she talking about?

Why did she sound like she was reliving some trauma? Why was she acting like I committed the worst crime of the century?

Her chest heaved as she pressed both hands hard against her ears.

"If you’re happy reminiscing, then go ahead! But me? I’m not! Stop reminding me of that past—a past I never want to remember for the rest of my life!"

I stared at her, still unable to believe the theatrics.

"It’s disgusting!" she spat, pressing her temples like her head was splitting in two.

I let out a low, bitter laugh. "Disgusting? You’re calling it disgusting now? Funny. You weren’t disgusted back then. In fact, you were… more than into it."

Her eyes went wide. She bit her lip hard enough to turn it white.

I leaned forward, glaring at her.

Did she really think she could shut me up? Did she really think I’d back down with just a few crocodile tears?

All she did was fuel my temper more.

I hated how dramatic she was being. I hated how she twisted everything to paint herself as the victim.

She was a sharp-tongued, spoiled brat before, but this—this was next-level emotional manipulation.

"Are you deaf or just stupid?" I shot back. "You’re like a broken record, and the more you yell, the more I’m convinced you’re hiding something. Every time I bring it up, you look like you’re about to vomit!"

She banged her fist against the steering wheel. "Because I am disgusted! I feel sick just thinking about it!"

I clenched my jaw.

"Disgusted, huh? Then why the hell did you agree to it in the first place?"

Her throat bobbed like she swallowed back a scream. She didn’t answer right away.

I laughed. "What? Cut your tongue?"

"Disgusted…" I repeated the word slowly, letting it burn between us. "You’re calling it disgusting now? You’re unbelievable, Dorry."

I leaned closer.

"We didn’t just do it once. Twice, Dorry. And don’t you dare tell me you didn’t enjoy it. Don’t even try."

I dragged out the next words like a knife twisting. "I still remember how you moaned… how you moved on top of me… how you—"

"Shut up, Nelson!" she screamed, banging her forehead against the steering wheel. "Please, I’m begging you… Stop it! Just stop!"

My throat tightened. I didn’t expect that.

My heart thumped painfully, but I masked it with a bitter grin.

"If you want me to stop… then explain yourself. Why are you acting like this? Why do you hate remembering? Why do you look at me like I’m a disease every time the past comes up?"

Silence stretched between us.

I leaned back against the seat, dragging both hands over my face.

Maybe I really am crazy.

Even after all this time… even after meeting dozens of women prettier, sexier, smarter… I’m still stuck with this one memory.

I wanted to forget her. I tried.

But here I am, trapped with her again.

Waiting for answers that never came.

She turned, her eyes glassy, but no tears fell. "I don’t want to remember because I wasn’t thinking straight back then, Nelson. I wasn’t myself. That’s why it happened."

I stared at her in disbelief.

That was it? That was her explanation?

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "That’s your reason? That’s what you’ve been holding onto all this time?"

I shook my head. "What the hell does that even mean? You weren’t drunk that time…"

"No!" she snapped.

I blinked.

"Then what?!"

Her cheeks burned redder. "I… I had an itch."

I froze.

An itch?

I blinked again, confused.

"What?"

Her voice dropped. "Because of the sea squirts… I had an allergic reaction."

I stared at her, open-mouthed, scratching my ear like I had misheard.

"Wait… are you serious?"

She glared at me. "I’m telling the truth!"

I leaned back, laughing loudly this time.

So that was it? An itch? That’s what she’s been using as an excuse all this time?

I laughed until my stomach hurt.

Sea squirts.

So basically… I was her human scratching post that night?

I gave her not just my body but everything. I gave her the one thing I never gave anyone else—my damn heart.

And now… she tells me it was all because she had a rash?

I dragged both hands through my hair, still laughing.

God, I was stupid.

I felt like banging my head on the dashboard.

This woman is a nightmare.

“That’s why… please, Nelson,” she said softly, her voice shaking but steady enough to sting. “If you want peace, stop bringing it up. Stop reminding me of that embarrassing incident.”

I stayed silent.

Everything I said earlier backfired.

I wanted to torture her with memories, but now I was the one feeling like crap.

Damn those sea squirts. This was Vianna May’s fault.

I turned to glance at Dorry just as she started the engine again.

Her lips… smiling.

A small, smug, victorious smile.

I grit my teeth.

No. This wasn’t over.

I wouldn’t let her win.

I had to turn this around somehow.

I sat there, arms crossed, refusing to look at her.

"Are we far?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my pride was hanging by a thread.

"Not too far," she answered, her voice light, like nothing happened. "But… we need to make a stop first."

She pulled over in front of a building and jumped out before I could even react.

Did she expect me to just sit here?

Hell no.

I got out and followed her, walking slower but keeping her in sight.

As I read the sign on the glass door she entered, my stomach dropped.

"HL Specialized Real Estate."

Curiosity got the better of me.

I stepped inside and scanned the room, and there she was—laughing, smiling, talking to some guy like she hadn’t just wrecked my sanity minutes ago.

And when that guy reached for her hand…

I didn’t even realize my feet had moved.

Before I knew it, I was right there, glaring at them both.

"Are you going to be long?" I snapped, my tone low and cold enough to make both their heads turn toward me at the same time.