Chapter 5

Gavin and I were a perfect match. I was all about flirting and having fun, with no interest in commitment, until he came into my life.

He courted me for half a year. He did everything to win my heart and my trust. He always made sure I ate on time. He picked me up and dropped me off from my apartment to school just to make sure I was safe. He also always made time for me, even when we were both busy.

He was such a green flag that I became secure he’d never fall out of love or, worse, cheat on me.

I was out of sorts all day while working. I was on my way home when I stopped at a mini-mart to buy some alcohol. I wanted to get wasted but didn’t want the overstimulation of a bar.

I opened a beer can and drank it while driving. My grip tightened on the can when I remembered the picture Gavin posted in his story earlier.

I know I’m stupid for still not getting over him after what he did.

I parked in front of my house. I finished the rest of the beer in the can before getting out of the car.

My eyes drifted to Xerces’s yard. He was standing with his hand on his hip, talking to someone on the phone, but his gaze was on me. It lasted almost a minute, which was, so far, the longest stare we’d ever had.

I grabbed the drinks I’d bought from the car. When I looked back, he had finished his conversation. His eyes dropped to what I was holding.

“Wanna drink with me?” I offered.

He didn’t say anything.

“Fine,” I said.

I just shrugged, turned my back on him, and went into the house. If I’d been in the mood, I would have insisted he join me, but unfortunately, I wasn’t.

I changed into comfortable clothes before I started drinking. I’d bought a lot; I made sure I’d get drunk tonight.

I opened another can and gulped it straight down. I winced as the bitterness scraped my throat.

“Fuck men,” I murmured.

“Fuck men or my brother?”

Startled by his voice, I glanced toward the door. Xerces was standing there, one hand in his pants pocket. He walked over and took his seat on the couch across from me.

“What are you doing here?”

He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. “You invited me, didn’t you?”

“Oh…”

He popped open a can and took a sip. “You’re still not over my brother.”

“No,” I replied almost immediately.

“That wasn’t a question.”

“I’ve already moved on.”

“Liar,” he said. “Is this why you suddenly started messing with my life? To get back at him for cheating on you with your sister? Now you’re hitting on me, too. Am I right?” A mocking smirk pulled at his lips.

My throat went dry, forcing me to swallow hard.

“How’d you know?” I asked, my voice low. There’s no point in denying it anymore.

“He’s still my brother after all, even if I hate it. I know how he moves.”

He opened another can and leaned back on the couch, legs splayed. He drank it without breaking his steady gaze.

This was the only time his expression wasn’t cold or annoyed—it was just blank.

“You knew he’d cheat on me?”

“He’s a jerk. And you… you’re stupid. No wonder.”

“Fuck you. I’m not stupid.”

“Yes, you are. Stupid enough not to have the slightest idea that her boyfriend was seeing another woman before he went to his girlfriend’s house.”

My eyes widened. “He what?”

“You heard me perfectly.”

“You knew about that?”

Now it makes sense why, whenever Gavin came to my house, I’d often see Xerces in his yard watching us. He was definitely judging me. So fucking embarrassing.

“Mm,” he nodded. “Quite a few times, actually.”

“And you didn’t even tell me about it?” I bleated.

“Why would I? I don’t care about you.”

“Fuck it,” I murmured. “You could’ve told me about it. We literally live across from each other.”

I opened another one and drank it.

“Date me,” I said.

“What?”

“I said, date me.”

He adjusted himself in his seat. “And why the fuck would I?”

“Let’s just try it.”

“Nah-uh. I don’t plan on being your fucking rebound.”

“You’re not going to be my rebound.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence. I’m not dumb like you.”

“I like you,” I said.

He smirked. “No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do,” I insisted.

“I pity you then. You’re not my type. I won’t waste my time with someone like you.”

“Why don’t we give it a try? Let’s see if you can stick to your words.”

I placed the can down on the table and then stood. I stepped closer to him and leaned down, our faces at the same level. His eyes were back to their coldness, along with his poker face.

I leaned in closer and pressed my lips against his. He didn’t move, but he didn’t push me away either. I grabbed his collar and slid my tongue into his mouth. I moved my lips aggressively and sucked on his tongue.

Our faces were so close that we could barely see each other, but I couldn’t see any emotion in his eyes.

Minutes passed, and still, he did not respond to my kisses. I slowly released his lips. They were wet and tinted with a red stain from my lipstick.

I pushed him back on the couch, and without hesitation, I straddled him. Slowly, I eased down, sliding until I settled on his crotch. I could feel his bulge.

Fuck. I don’t know if he was already aroused, but I could tell that he was extraordinarily big.

I took one of his hands and slid it under the loose shirt I was wearing. His warm and calloused hand immediately grazed against my breasts.

“Touch me,” I purred.

He groped my breasts, causing my lips to part a bit, a soft moan escaping. I slowly ground my hips against his hardness, earning a soft curse from him. God, he sounded so sexy.

“Your hand fits perfectly on my boob. I wonder if your fingers will do the same with my cunt.”

“I wonder too how many fingers a slut like you can take?”

Instead of getting offended, it only turned me on even more. “Two is enough.”

“Three will be perfect.”

I increased the pace against his bulge, feeling it grow bigger. Jesus!

“Fuck,” he murmured. He gripped my waist so hard that I knew it would leave a mark.

My hand traveled to his shirt, and I slowly lifted it up, revealing his abs and V-line. His body was so warm against my hand.

I was about to take off my shirt when he grabbed my shoulders and stopped me. I looked at him in confusion.

He smirked. “That’s enough for you. Try harder to seduce me next time, woman,” he challenged.

He pushed me off him and fixed his wrinkled shirt. I stared at him in disbelief.

“What the hell?” I groaned in frustration.

He looked at me. “I never knew you were that easy.”

He stormed out of my house, leaving me dumbfounded.