| Ugly- Concluded Josh glanced over his shoulder, saw Alex approaching, and sent a shrewd glare Rachel's way. "What's the matter?" "This is really not a good time, okay?" she said, panicked. "Talk to you tomorrow." "Rachel-" "This is just not a good time, okay?" she repeated wildly, shoving his arms off the table and turning to greet Alex with a trembling smile. Not a good time... darn right, it wasn't. Where had she heard that line before? Josh reluctantly stood, still looking at her suspiciously and with what appeared to be sympathy. "Okay," he admitted grudgingly. "See you." He left her alone with the attacking hawk, deserting the mouse to the hunter. Alex exploded onto the table, his face grim and dangerous. "Why was that jerk talking to you?" She wet her lips. "I don't know." "Don't lie to me!" he growled, his voice raising enough to draw startled glances from surrounding diners. Grabbing her arm, he yanked her from her chair, and began dragging her toward the doors, toward a secluded spot around the brick wall of JC Penney's. "Why was he talking to you? Was he the real reason you wanted to get into a different line? You act like a good little nun until your real boyfriend shows up, huh? How much worse is it when I'm not here to watch you? Do I have to keep an eye on you every time I walk away?" "No! No!" she shrieked, trying desperately to break his grip. His fingers dug like cords. "So what, you like making me mad? You like driving me to this? Because I'm not the one who's to blame for this, Rachel- you are! If you would just do what I say and not sneak around behind my back, I could trust you. I wouldn't have to worry. I love you so much, but you always make me hurt you. Why? Why is it so much fun to make me hurt you?" "Let me go, Alex, please-" she sobbed, fighting him. He dragged her close, his breath hot and scorching on her tears. "You don't deserve me, you know that? Most guys wouldn't put up with this. But me, I'm some kind of glutton for punishment, coming back time and time again to get screwed over. How many guys do you flirt with when I'm not around?" "None! None, I swear! Alex, please, let me go-" Her cries echoed uselessly into a deserted parking lot. "Shut up, you whiny little-" The crack was loud, and the sting sent her reeling, one hand cupped to the crimson print on her cheek. She fell to her knees and hunched into the wet grass, arms wrapped firmly around herself, stifling the tears. He hated it when she kept sniveling even after he finished his lectures. Bending over her, he was suddenly soothing. "Hey, hey, come on baby, don't cry. It'll be okay. I was mad, but I'm sorry. It's over now. Come on, get up, let's dust you off, and we can go home, okay?" She yielded to the silk-wrapped-steel words. Coming to her feet shakily, her red-rimmed eyes drifted to his face. Riveted on that smile. That sexy, cocky smirk that won her heart long ago. He was so ugly. |