Dark Escort by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online Page B

Now you want to pick a fight?”
    “I’m not picking a fight. I just think I’m entitled to know why you dislike me so much.” Her nostrils flared.
    “Maybe because you’re a cold-hearted bitch.”
    She flinched like she’d been stung. “Excuse me?”
    “Come on, it’s so obvious Joey is in love with you. It’s not that you don’t notice. It’s that you don’t care. People are trying to manipulate your love life because you don’t know how to love on your own. When something good is right in front of you, you don’t even notice. You’re going to die alone and no one will be surprised.”
    Her fury disappeared like a blown out candle. The grimace wasn’t on her face, and her nostrils no longer flared. Instead, her eyes watered immediately, like I hit a trigger that made her snap. She blinked her eyes quickly, trying to dispel the moisture but it didn’t work.
    Fuck, I’m going to hell . “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I was just—”
    “Go.” She held up her hand to silence me. “Just leave me alone. Please.” She walked inside her apartment and locked the door.
    I stood in the same spot, unsure what to do with myself. Then I heard the sound of her sniff. She was crying on the other side of the door. She must be leaning against it, because when she started to sob I heard every sound.
    I fucking hated myself.
    Fucking. Hated. Myself.

Katarina
    Joey didn’t contact me for almost a week after the night he stopped by the apartment. Perhaps he forgot about it after he passed out. That might be the best thing for both of us. He was on the verge of saying something he couldn’t take back.
    I was at home when he texted me.
    I’m ready to talk. Can we meet?
    So much for forgetting everything. Sure. When?
    An hour. At our usual place.
    I’ll be there.
    I wasn’t sure how this conversation would go. What did he want to say, and more importantly, how would I respond? Ever since I said Cato’s name, our relationship had been turned upside down. Just that simple word had completely changed the game. Could we ever change it back?
    ***
    I was sipping coffee at the diner when he walked inside. He was fifteen minutes late, and I wondered if he did it on purpose. Joey was punctual to the point of boredom.
    He slid into the booth across from me, wearing his casual attire once again. He wore a baseball shirt and denim jeans. When he sat down, he rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward. But he didn’t look at me. “Thanks for meeting me.”
    “Sure.”
    He played with his watch for a moment and then the waitress approached.
    “What can I get you, handsome?” she asked.
    “A coffee,” he answered. “Thank you.”
    “Coming right up.” She gave him a smile before she walked away.
    “She’s really into you,” I noted. “She hits on you every time we come in here.”
    “I know.”
    “Then why don’t you go for her? She’s cute.”
    He stared at me for a long time. “You know why, Kat. And if you don’t, you need to start paying attention.”
    I sat still but felt my body physically react to his words. Adrenaline was released, and my heart started to pound harder than before. I stared at him with a guarded expression, not wanting to give anything away unless I was absolutely sure.
    He sighed then ran both of his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry about my behavior the other night. I wasn’t in the right mind and—”
    “I know. It’s okay.”
    He pulled back his arms and sat back against the booth. “I’m really struggling with this and I’m sorry I’m taking it out on you.”
    “Why are you struggling, Joey?” I didn’t want there to be any miscommunication between us. It was a dangerous game to make assumptions.
    He was quiet for a long time as he gathered his thoughts. “I’m just going to come out and say the truth. I thought you already knew but apparently you don’t. I’ll spell it out for you.”
    I tried to remain calm.
    “I’ve always had a thing for you,