Indulgence (Taking Chances #1) by Jeanne McDonald Read Free Book Online

over here.  He feels like a complete ass for everything that happened today.”
    “He is an ass!” Amber exclaimed.  “Not only did he break her heart a year ago, but he took advantage of her kindness today.  That asshole doesn’t deserve to have her as a friend.”
    I ran my fingers through my hair as tears formed that would never spill.  “Stop it, Amber.  I can handle this.”  
    “Stop being so nice to them.  They don’t deserve it.  Let out that fiery redhead temper I’ve seen a million times before.”
    “Amber, stop antagonizing her.  What Jacoby did today was foolish, but having her yell at him isn’t the answer.  She’s had him worried, and her running out on him like she did was uncalled for.  He’s been nothing but a good friend to her.”
    My eyes shot open.  “He’s been a good friend to me?” I repeated in disbelief.  How dare this man suggest that I had been anything but a good friend to Jacoby.  Most people would’ve told him where to take a long walk off a short pier after what he did, but no, I stood up for him.  All that money out the window on a wedding that would never happen, and I defended him.  Protected him.  Cared for him even while I felt the world crumble around my head.  “ Fuck you!”
    A half smirk creased the corner of Amber’s mouth.  Without a word, she handed me the phone and stepped back.  I inhaled deep, closed my eyes and allowed everything that I’d held deep inside to be released.  Enough was enough.  “Listen, Ralph ,” I could practically feel him cringe at the sound of that name, “tell Jacoby that I said fuck off, you insensitive prick.  For the last year I’ve swallowed my pride and accepted him coming out of the closet while breaking my heart in the process.  I’ve endured the torture of watching him grow closer to the man who replaced me.  I even befriended you , never allowing my smile to falter in his presence.  But today, he threw that smile, along with my pride, back in my face.  And your accusation that I was being childish…”
    “I didn’t say that,” Eddie argued.
    “No, you implied it, and I wasn’t being childish.  I was hurt and needed to get away.  So, again I say, fuck you.  And fuck your boyfriend, fiancé, whatever.  I’m done playing the dutiable friend for now.  Other women would have tossed him to the curb when he did what he did, but not me.  Well, now I need space.  Give it to me.”
    This time it was Amber who was impersonating a fish.  She blinked her eyes and a huge grin exploded across her face.  In the middle of her bedroom, she started doing a jig of celebration.
    Eddie remained silent.  Even though I was breathing very hard, it was almost as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  All this time I’d carried those feelings with me, and in a moment of clarity, I realized that all the guys I’d been dating hadn’t been as douche-y as I thought.  The douche was me, because I was holding on to the past.
    “Is that all?” Eddie asked, his tone soft and steady.
    “Yes.  Now, I have to go.  I’ve got to get ready to be fucked by a real man tonight.”
    Amber went from doing a jig to full on twerking.  It was amazing to watch her move like that in such a delicate dress, but that woman had the moves.
    I ended the call without giving Eddie a chance to say another word.  A deep sigh pushed from my chest.  I threw the phone on the bed and laughed.  I laughed long and hard; to the point I was breathless.  I laughed so hard that I hunched over, grappling the bed for support.  After a few minutes, Amber started laughing with me.  Every time either of us tried to say something, it came out as a jumble of words.  Swimming in laughter, we fell back on the bed, uncaring of the dress and accessories beneath us.  We just laughed.  It felt good.  Liberating.  
    When we finally stopped laughing, I tilted my head to the side and smiled.  “You know I’ve already forgiven him,