Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Samantha
I cupped my hand over my mouth as I read his text.
Tears sprang to my eyes as I sat on the couch in disbelief.
I started typing back, but stopped. There was no way he was taking the easy way out and doing it over text messages.
Fuck him. If he didn’t want to see me anymore, he’d have to tell me to my face.
I jumped off the couch and went to Zoey’s room.
“Hey, baby. I have to run out. I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going? It’s after eight o’clock.”
“There’s something I need to get for class tomorrow. I totally forgot. I’ll be back in a bit.” I tried to hold back the tears.
“Okay. Be careful.”
“I will.” I softly smiled.
I climbed into a cab and gave the driver Weston’s address. Once I was in front of his door, I pounded. He answered it with a shocked expression.
“If you want to stop seeing me, you tell me to my face! What are you? Fifteen years old? Even my students know better than that.” I pushed past him.
“Sam—”
“No!” I whipped around and pointed at him. “You don’t get to ‘Sam’ me right now.”
He closed the door and stared at me as my arms were crossed tightly over my chest.
“You ended things with me in a text message. You completely blindsided me! You didn’t even have the decency to tell me to my face, you corporate coward!
Well, guess what? I’m here. So tell me to my face!
” I spat. “No explanation. No conversation. Just a fucking text. I thought what we had meant more than a paragraph and a period. Wait.” I pulled out my phone. “You didn’t even use a period!”
“We won’t be seeing each other anymore,” he said, running his hand through his hair.
“If this has anything to do with your childhood, I swear to God, Wes.”
“You fucking know it does.” He pointed at me and walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink.
“I already told you that I don’t do relationships.
I made that very clear. But every time you look at me, all I see is you planning our future.
There is no future for us, Sam. It’s over! ” He shouted to make it clear.
Weston
She stood before me, tears streaming down her face, just like I knew. Why the hell did she have to come here?
“So, you used me to restore your image?” She cocked her head.
“Yes. I’m sorry. But that is the man I am.”
“Bullshit. I don’t believe you.” She turned away.
“It’s the truth, Samantha. I needed my reputation restored, and it’s restored. I don’t need you anymore.” My tone was flat and cold. “They don’t call me ‘Cold Castile’ for nothing.”
“Fine. I guess once again I was played for a fool. But this time, there wasn’t a Gym Girl Brittany involved.
Just a coldhearted, selfish boy who doesn’t give a damn about another human being.
Thank you for showing me who you really are.
You’re nothing but a coward, Weston Castile.
And if you think I’m going to spend six months mourning this, you’re crazy.
I’m already over it. You aren’t worth the dirt on the bottom of my shoe.
And you’re certainly not worth the tears.
” She wiped her eyes. “I liked you. I really did. Hell, I fell in love with you. But now, I hate you with my whole heart. Any man who can be that cruel to someone deserves to spend their life alone. And that’s exactly what will happen to you!
” She pointed. “So good luck rotting in this monstrous house alone.” She stormed out the front door.
I slowly closed my eyes as my stomach twisted into a ball. Seeing her like that killed me. If I wasn’t dead inside before, I certainly was now.
Samantha
I climbed into the back of the cab parked in front of his brownstone and sobbed. The driver kept looking at me through the rearview mirror but didn’t say a word.
“I’m sure I’m not the first woman who has sat in your cab and sobbed,” I said.
“No. You’re not.”
“Then stop looking at me. I’m not okay.”
“Sorry, ma’am.”
“Don’t call me ma’am!” I yelled and then felt bad. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout.”
After he dropped me off in front of my building, I went up to my apartment. The minute I opened the door, Zoey came running from her room. “Guess what—” she paused when she saw me. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
“I lied to you,” I sobbed, walking over to the couch.
“What happened? You’re freaking me out.” She sat down next to me.
“I went over to Wes’s house because he tried to end things over a text message.”
“Wow. He’s a grown man. What the hell, Mom? Why would he do that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he’s fucked up from his childhood. He told me he only used me to restore his reputation, and now that it’s restored, he doesn’t want to see me anymore. I’m so stupid. How could I be so damn blind?”
“You are not stupid. He is. I’m sorry, Mom.” She hugged me. “You deserve so much better than him.”
“I fell in love with him, Zoe. I’ve never felt this way about a man before, not even your loser father. What is wrong with me? Every man I’ve dated has left me.”
“Nothing is wrong with you. It’s them. You’re a beautiful person inside and out, Mom. They can’t handle it. They can’t see what’s right in front of them. You’re better than this.” She reached over to the end table and grabbed a few tissues from the box.
“Thanks.” I dabbed my eyes. “I need to go to bed. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She hugged me.
I took off my makeup, threw on a nightshirt, and climbed into bed. A few moments later, Zoey walked into my room with a gallon of chocolate ice cream, two spoons, and her pillow.
“Ice cream always makes us feel better. I’m sleeping in your bed tonight. I’m not leaving you alone. And no arguments. You’d do the same for me.”
“You bet I would.” I smiled. “Get in here.” I patted the bed.