A Tattered Love by Nickie Seidler Read Free Book Online Page B

He snapped and got out of the car.
I got out of the car quicker than a bolt of lightning, and slammed the door shut so hard so to make sure I had his attention.
“You listen here, Dustin. If you want to dare to push me away from you, so be it. Remember, you wanted to see me. Remember, you wanted me to take a chance with you. Well, you just may have blown that out the window. I try to ease the tension in the air over something I had no control of, and this is the respect I get? You jerked away from a kiss? FINE! I don’t need men in my life that are going to push me to the side because they are pissed off about cosmetic damage that, like I said, I had no control over.” I yelled at him good. In fact, I think he was drooling from keeping his mouth open so long.
I swung my purse over my shoulder and then darted off in the opposite direction of him. I knew one thing, and one thing only, this evening was over for me. I was going home. Being a strong woman, I did not let any man walk all over me, or think they can treat me like that. No way in hell that I would let that happen. Here I was, all by myself in the middle of a state where I knew nobody, I knew I had to be strong for my own well-being. I couldn’t get caught up in a man who wouldn’t accept a simple kiss because he was so angry over something that had happened to his vehicle. Nope, that was not going to happen!
“Sweetie, wait for me!” Abby yelled heading in my direction, shooting Dustin a nasty look. I knew damn well that Abby, Evan, and the guys heard me have my little spat at Dustin. Right then, I didn’t care one bit.
“I’m going home, Abby. I’m sorry. It was a mistake I came.” I kept walking.
“Riley, slow down, talk to me.”
“The best thing you can do for me right now is take me home.”
I can hear another voice yelling. It was Dustin. “Riley, wait up, please!” Dustin yelled from a distance.
“I suggest you tell Dustin to back the fuck off right now, Abby. I’m not dealing with it. Take me home, or I’m walking home.”
I watched as Abby backed away from me, heading toward Dustin. “Dustin, just leave her alone right now. I’m taking her home.”
Dustin flew his hands up in the air in frustration, putting his hands over his face as he shook his head. Then he and Evan walked into the diner.
Abby pulled up alongside me in the Durango and hollered, “Ry, get in the car. I’ll take you home. What happened girl?” Abby asked with concern sketched in her voice.
“I went to kiss him, and he jerked me away. Then he said it’s not a good time.”
“Ouch.” She said softly.
“Look, there is nothing to talk about. I have zero tolerance for assholes, and I’m not about to let somebody treat me like that. I’m the one who tried to ease the tension, and I’m the one who is disrespected. So I want to go home and be alone. Besides, I have work in the morning. I open.”
“I open, too, Hun. I’m sure Dustin is sorry. He’s just upset about his car, I’m sure.” She tried to sympathize with him.
“Abby, there is no excuse in my book—you want me in your life you show it and prove it to me. You don’t disrespect me—especially, when I barely know you.”
“Ok, ok girl, don’t bite my head off, I hear you.” Abby continued to drive.
Shortly, we arrived in the complex, and she stopped closest to my entrance. “Thank you for the ride.” I said.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetie. Don’t hesitate to call if you need to talk.” Abby grinned and leaned her hand over and squeezed mine for support.
“See you tomorrow.” I jumped out of the Durango and ran to the building sprinting up the stairs in a hurry to get inside my door and see Cooper’s face. Cooper always made me smile no matter what the circumstances.
I unlocked my apartment door and slammed it shut. Running over to Cooper, I collapsed on the carpeted floor just as a tear fell down my cheek. Cooper licked my face and my wet tears trying to make me feel better. I knew that I