Christian (The Mitchell/Healy Family #3)(13)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I shrugged and sat back down next to him. I couldn’t tell him that I’d ever done that in my life. Ethan never asked me to do it, probably because he thought I’d never want to sleep with him again. Like I mentioned before, it was something I’d always considered intimate. My recent actions were ruining my good standards, leaving me to make bad judgment calls that literally left a bad taste in my mouth.

“I’m just going to use the ladies room.” I stood up and left the room, hoping to be able to rinse my mouth out as best I could.

The well-lit bathroom was a change from the dark theater. I headed over to the sink and started washing my hands so I could use them to rinse out my mouth. I’d no sooner began to swish the water around when someone came walking in. As quickly as possible I spit the water out and used a paper towel to wipe off the excess. The reflection in the mirror displayed a beautiful blonde. Her bright blue eyes caught my attention. I smiled at her, expecting the same action in return. I certainly didn’t think she’d come at me, or start shoving me into the porcelain vanity. “You bitch! Who do you think you are?”

“What are you talkin’ about?” I may have been quiet, studious, and a bit peculiar at times, but nobody pushed me around. My brother taught me to defend myself if I needed to. “I don’t even know you,” I said as I shoved her back.

She had tears falling from her eyes. “I saw you with him. You came here with Seth.”

My eyes widened. “We’re friends.” Were we? I didn’t even know if it was the truth. Did that make me an awful person?

“Well I’m his girlfriend.”

I put my hands up. “Whoa. Are you Mila?” My body began to shake. I wasn’t afraid of fighting this girl. She was smaller than me, and it was clear that her emotions were all over the place.

“You know my name? Did he tell you about me?” She had hope in her eyes. Unfortunately, I didn’t have good news for her.

“No. I heard that the two of you used to date. Listen, I was under the impression that Seth was single. I never would have agreed to see him otherwise.”

“I don’t know why he’d lie. He keeps doing this to me,” she sobbed.

I reached over and placed my hand on her shoulder. It was obvious that she could have attacked me at the moment, but I got this feeling she needed support. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m in love with him. He loves me too. I know you don’t see it, but he does. When we’re alone he’s different. We’re going to get married. He promises me all the time.”

“I don’t understand.”

She wiped her eyes and continued. “Seth likes to be popular. He considers himself some kind of leader. I’ll never get why he does this shit. He says it’s important to keep up the charade. That’s all you are. You’re just a game to him. Frankly it’s pathetic that you gave in so easy.”

“It’s not like that.” I tried to justify my actions had more meaning, but I was coming up with nothing.

“You’re just another conquest. Don’t think you’re special.” I hated her sarcasm, but understood why she was so determined to hurt me.

“I’m just goin’ to go. Do me a favor and tell your boyfriend not to call me. I don’t have time to deal with this drama.”

I stomped out of the bathroom to find Seth waiting for me. He had his arms crossed and they fell down to his sides when Mila followed me. It took one look in his eyes to see that he knew he was screwed. “Lose the number I gave you,” I said as I walked by.

Thinking he’d rush to comfort her, I was surprised when he followed me outside. “Chris, wait. It’s not what you think. She’s psycho. What did she say to you?”

I stopped walking and turned to face him. “For starters she said you were together. I’m basically a whore; one of your many, and that you play games like this all of the time.”

He threw his hands up in the air. “What the fuck? Mila is crazy. Look, let me drive you home. I’ll explain everything.”

I crossed my arms, and refused to look him in the eyes. “I’d rather walk.”

“It’s getting late, and we’re miles from your place. Just let me drive you. I swear I won’t do anything.”

Since I didn’t have many options, I pulled out my phone and dialed the one person I knew would come to my rescue. He picked up on the first ring.

“Christian Mitchell. Long time no speak.”

“Shut up, Ethan. I need a ride. Can you come pick me up from the movies?”

I looked up as I awaited his reply, seeing Seth shaking his head. For some reason I felt bad for him.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just hurry up.” I wasn’t fine, but I knew Ethan’s temper well enough to not want him getting into it with Seth. I’d made enough things a mess.

Once the phone was back in my purse I turned to look at Seth. He was leaning against his car watching me. “I’m not a bad guy, Chris. When I said I liked you I meant it. I asked you out because I wanted to see you again.” He pulled out a flask and started drinking the contents. He obviously had a drinking problem.

“Oh, it wasn’t because I put out so easy?”

“No. Of course not. I mean, I’m not going to lie. It was nice. We have good chemistry. You can’t deny that.”

It was true, yet I couldn’t admit it at this point. “Please don’t do this.” I started to feel overwhelmed, used, and completely confused. It had been one day, though I felt like we did have something between us. The idea of giving up after I’d screwed him was an awful feeling. It was as if I’d slept with him for nothing. I wasn’t that girl.

I couldn’t be that girl.

Mila walked out of the building and I watched his posture straighten. He pointed toward her, yelling clear across the lot. “Thanks a lot! I hope you’re happy, you stupid hoe.”

She kept walking to her car, as if she couldn’t hear him. He motioned in her direction. “See what I mean? She’s full of shit, Chris. I swear.”

I placed my hands over my face as I thought about how to respond. I hadn’t asked for this crap to happen on top of all of the drama at my parent’s house. “Seth, I’ve had a bad day. I’m goin’ home.”

“I’m sorry I ruined your day. Even though it ended terribly, I enjoyed the parts where we were together. For the record, I’m not losing your number.”