As we walked back down to the restaurant and up to the bar, I looked at Sierra and grinned. “Do you know how much of a cocktease you are?”
Taking a sip of her cocktail, Sierra gave me an innocent smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Tristan. Cock is the last thing I’m interested in; therefore, I would not be teasing it.”
Taking a drink of my beer, I set it down. “I call bullshit, Sierra. Look me in the eye and tell me Dodge didn’t get your panties a little moist just now.”
Looking me dead square in the eye she said, “Nope,” as she popped her p loudly. “Please, Ryn’s already told me he has a reputation as being the go-to guy when you’re wanting to forget your problems with a good screwing. No thanks. Not interested.”
Turning away, I mumbled, “If you say so.”
Hitting me on the shoulder she said, “I say so. Hey, did you know that Dodge almost got it on with your sister-in-law? Ryn told me all about it.”
Rolling my eyes, I asked, “Why do women gossip?”
“We weren’t gossiping, I asked about how Dodge and Ryn came to be and she told me.”
“Oh yeah? Enlighten me.”
Giving me a look that reminded me of my mother, Sierra asked, “You really want to know how the whole Dodge and Ryn thing started?”
Nodding my head, I swallowed hard and whispered, “Yes.”
Raising her eyebrows, Sierra began talking. “Okay, you asked for it. Let’s see, Ryn began talking to Dodge one night at the club he runs. She poured her heart out to him about you being a really big dick and pushing her away . . .” Smirking, she gave me a wink. “Well, one thing led to another and Ryn came out and asked Dodge if he would have sex with her to help her push you out of her head. He said yes and the rest is history. Ryn calls Dodge and he pretty much comes to her when she needs him to. They started out as strictly fuck buddies and it moved to something a little more.”
Staring at Sierra, I attempted to find my voice. When I finally found it, I started to talk. “Do you know how much of a cold-hearted bitch you are? Why would you tell me that?”
“What? Ohmygod! Tristan, you said you wanted to know.”
“I didn’t think you were just going to blurt it out like that.”
Dropping her mouth open, she shook her head. “What in the hell? What did you want me to do?”
“Giving me the version that doesn’t rip my heart out and stomp on it would have been nice.”
Sliding off the bar stool, Sierra placed her hands on her hips. “Do you know what, all you men are the same. You want me to take it easy on you when you ask how your ex . . . that’s right, Tristan, I said ex-girlfriend hooked up with her fuck buddy. There is no easy version. You fucked up, buddy. You hurt her and she did what she thought she had to do to move on. Do you think it was easy for Ryn to open her heart to you last year? To allow herself to fall head over heels in love with you, and for once in her life imagine a future with someone who would love and take care of her? Only to have you yank it out from under her when you call the other girl you’re fucking on the side? What makes you men think you can play games with our hearts? What makes you think that by fucking me for one night it’s going to push all the pain and hurt that my husband of six years caused me? What makes Dodge think he has a magical dick that can make any girl forget any kind of heartache? Holy fucking shit . . . it doesn’t work that way. Sex is not a damn tool to be used like that.” Tears formed in Sierra’s eyes and my heart dropped. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her.
“You’re all the same!” Turning away, she mumbled under her breath as she headed toward the exit, “I officially hate all men.”
Taking a twenty from my wallet, I put it on the bar and headed to the door. Opening it, I glanced both ways and saw Sierra walking down the street. I began jogging and caught up to her.
“Sierra, please wait. Don’t leave when you’re upset with me.”
When she stopped walking and turned to me, my legs almost gave out. Tears were streaming down her face. Her lower lip quivered and her eyes seemed lost.
“What’s going on?”
I heard someone else’s voice, but I couldn’t pull my eyes from Sierra.
“Tristan, what happened? Sierra, are you okay?”
Sierra turned and looked at someone as she wiped her tears away. “No, Dodge. I’m the farthest thing from okay.”
“Where are you parked? Let me take you to your car, Sierra,” I said as I took a step closer.
