Chapter 14
BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL
WILL
The evening went exactly how I thought it would, I crashed Natalie’s date with the British guy. But I didn’t expect to catch them at the worst possible moment. She was getting into an uber, and he kissed her.
I wanted to die.
Blake didn’t seem to notice. She was busy chatting about another bar she wanted to go to.
I nodded along, but my mind was miles away.
As if the universe was playing a cruel joke on me, she took me to the same bar I’d gone to with Natalie, her sister, and Camille—the night Natalie and I had sex in the ballroom at Bourbon House.
God, that was so hot.
It was the same place I was planning on meeting Evan tomorrow night. I wanted to be somewhere I could remember Natalie. I know I was just torturing myself but being here with Blake was a different kind of torture. I needed to get out of my own head.
I needed to let Natalie go. She was dating someone else. I had a girlfriend who wanted to be part of my life. Blake was great on paper, and I was the one holding back.
At the bar, I grabbed us a couple of beers. Blake suggested we play pool, and I agreed, hoping it would distract me from my spiraling thoughts. She was surprisingly good—flirty and confident, talking smack the entire game while nearly kicking my ass.
She was gorgeous, no doubt about it. She had a lot going for her. I needed to stick with this.
After the game, she leaned into me, brushing her hand lightly over my chest.
“Want to come back to my place?” she asked, her voice low and inviting.
I hesitated. “I’m not sure,” I said. “I don’t really have anything with me.”
“You don’t need anything,” she said with a playful smile.
Her hand lingered on my arm, and I couldn’t come up with a good excuse fast enough.
“Alright,” I said, giving in.
Blake’s place was a sleek, one-story flat in Laguna with a killer view of the ocean. Being in the real estate industry had its perks.
“Great place,” I said, genuinely impressed.
“Thanks,” she replied, handing me a scotch on the rocks. “I got this off market in 2020 when the market and rates were great.”
“Good timing,” I said.
We sat on her couch, sipping our drinks and admiring the view.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, disappearing into the bedroom.
When she returned, she was wearing red lingerie that clung to her body like it was made for her. She looked like a holiday Barbie.
She tapped something on her phone, and soft music filled the room.
“I’ve been having such a great time with you,” she said, her voice low and sultry.
She straddled me, taking my drink and setting it on the coffee table.
Her hands roamed over my chest, but my body wasn’t responding. My mind drifted back to Natalie, her laugh, her eyes, the way she felt wrapped in my arms.
Blake leaned closer, her lips brushing against my neck. “You like that?” she murmured.
I nodded, but the words felt hollow. “Uh, yeah,” I muttered, my hands resting lightly on her hips.
Blake’s movements became more insistent, but the harder she tried, the more distant I felt. I couldn’t do this.
“Blake,” I said, gently gripping her wrists to still her.
She pulled back, confusion flickering across her face. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m so sorry,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “I have a headache. I shouldn’t have come back with you tonight.”
Her expression softened. “Do you want some Tylenol or water?”
“No, I’ll be okay,” I said quickly. “I just…I’m not in the right headspace right now. It’s not you. You’ve been amazing.”
Blake sighed, clearly disappointed, but she managed a small smile. “It’s okay, Will. I get it.”
“I’d love to see you again,” I said, trying to salvage the moment. “Maybe dinner on Sunday? At my place?”
Her smile grew a little. “That sounds great.”
I kissed her on the cheek, grateful she wasn’t angry, and called myself an Uber.
As soon as I got in the car, I pulled out my phone.
I had to text Natalie.
Will: Natalie…