Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
SPENCER
M y jaw slackens, and I openly stare at the two beautiful men in front of me. They stare back, waiting for the words to come out of my mouth. I know what they want to hear, and part of me wants to say it and believe that we all can be happy together. But the other part of me can’t forget Anthony’s words or what I know he’s capable of.
“I—I?—”
Zane’s eyes shut, and he turns his head away.
“You’re two are just going along with what Asher said? You’re going to make me choose?”
Rio squints and takes on a challenging tone. “You told me yesterday that you’re mine. Are you taking it back?”
“Ugh! You men are so frustrating!” I push in-between them and stomp to the living room. With my hands on my hips, I stop in front of the TV.
“What’s holding you back?” Zane’s presence appears right behind me. I want to lean backward into his body and use the strength he gives me.
“You know.” I lean my head down and stare at my feet.
Rio’s shoes enter my frame of vision. “No, we don’t. Asher’s right. You haven’t been honest.”
Fucking hell.
My gaze snaps up, and I narrow my eyes. He’s looking back with the same intensity and a glance over my shoulder lets me know Zane’s face is the same—scrutinizing and disappointed.
Stepping away from between their bodies, I back away. “I don’t owe you answers.”
Zane crosses his arms and remains quiet and cold. He’s never looked at me like that before.
“Oh really? So, is this how it’s going to be? We give and give, and you’re going to take without any reciprocation?” Rio’s words hit me square in the chest.
Is that what I’ve been doing?
Possibly . . .
I’m stopped when I bump into a side table next to their large couch.
“That’s not what I’m trying to do,” I spit back.
“Yeah? Could’ve fooled me. Did our day together mean nothing to you?”
Ouch.
“It meant everything to me!”
Another glance at Zane tells me he’s not going to step in. He started to come to my defense earlier, but the white knight is nowhere to be seen now.
Rio throws his arms out at his sides. “Then prove it! Why are you always so ready to run?”
“Because—”
I can’t even say it. I’ve never had to—never wanted to.
“Because why?” he pushes. “Once again, no reciprocation.” Rio crosses his arms, taking up the same stance as Zane.
My nails bite into my palms as I curl my hands into fists. “That’s not fair!”
I don’t recognize this man—this bitter angry man in front of me. I guess I should’ve known their patience would run out.
Rio scoffs. “Isn’t it, though? I told you everything.”
Shame wraps me in its cocoon as I let out truths no one else has ever heard. “And I gave you both what no man has had of me in three fucking years!”
These fucking men!
“Let it out, Mama.”
“We’re here, Angel.”
“Is that what you wanted to hear? That I haven’t fucked another man since I left Anthony in Houston? Which I’m sure you know is where I’m from since you did damn background checks!”
They both just nod.
That’s it? That’s all I get? A fucking nod?
I squeeze my fists and realize they’re no longer empty. We all look down at the empty beer bottles in each hand. Rio and Zane smirk like they’re twins, and I don’t like how my core pulses.
Traitorous, horny body.
My blood boils.
They want to laugh? Fine. I’ll make them laugh.
I wind back one hand and let the bottle fly at Rio, and the other soars towards Zane. Each man ducks, and neither bottle hits its target. Instead, they land in the kitchen with a crash and the sound of the glass shattering on the tile.
“Ugh!” Next, I gather the multiple remotes and hurl them across the room. Rio and Zane dodge again.
Why do men think they know what’s best? Is it every man, or just the ones I encounter? What is it about controlling me that’s so appealing?
Coasters, game controllers, vases, and picture frames make their way into my hands, and I chuck them at the men who are swerving and diving to get out of the path of the inanimate objects. As I launch each item, I continue to let out the truths no one has ever heard.
“He raped me! Is that what you wanted to hear? Anthony raped me while his piece of shit best friend held me down! Pierce laughed the whole fucking time!”
With nothing else to throw, I squat and grip the end of the wooden coffee table. When I push up with my legs, I raise the side I’m holding and shove it forward, sending the flipped table in their direction.
“I shouldn’t have to explain that to you! I don’t owe you that story!”
The only thing left is a standing lamp in the corner. I grab it with both hands and rip the cord from the wall, then I stalk towards the large TV mounted on the wall and raise the lamp like a bat.
“I’m!”
THUD!
“Tired!”
WHACK!
“Of!”
BANG!
“Controlling!”
SLAM!
“MEN!”
CRASH!
The TV is smashed to bits, and I drop the lamp, but my pounding heartbeat still doesn’t settle. Glass and plastic litter the carpet around me. I turn to Rio and Zane, who are behind the couch, still wearing those fucking sexy smirks.
Great. Now I’m angry and needy. How is it possible to feel both?
Their smiles turn feral and Rio taunts. “Come and get us, Mama.”