Chapter 5
“Why don’t we find out tonight–am I good enough for you or not?”
By the time I realized what was happening, we were already tangled up in bed. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was just him, but my cheeks were on fire. When the tension finally snapped, I bit down on his shoulder, hard.
Outside, the rain was coming down in sheets. Inside, everything was hazy and electric.
My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing on the nightstand.
After the first round, Damon reached over and checked the screen. “It’s Michael. Want to answer?”|
My eyes were still glazed, red from everything we’d just done. I shook my head.”
Damon brushed his thumb over my cheek. “June, he clings to you like he can’t breathe without you. It makes me crazy.“%
“Then you answer,” I said, not caring anymore.”
I could’ve sworn I saw a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
He picked up. Michael’s voice came through, slurred and desperate. “June, I’m drunk. Come get me, okay? I’ve been acting up these past few days and you just don’t care anymore?”
Damon gave a low chuckle. “It’s me.”
The line went silent for a second, and then Michael snarled, “Damon, have you no shame? You’re really going to be the other guy?”
We’re married, Michael. Legally. What about you? Why are you calling my wife in the middle of the night?”
“That’s not possible!” Michael’s voice suddenly softened, turning into a plea. “June, please, come pick me up. Let’s not fight anymore.”}
I forced myself to sit up. “Michael, I told you tonight. You’re just my ex now. That’s all there is.”
Damon looked at me, completely satisfied, and hung up before Michael could say another word.
-2
At the bar, Michael just stared at his phone, stuck in place.
“Looks like June’s really done with you this time,” someone muttered nearby.
“Can you blame her?” another friend added. “You’ve been pushing it for years, Michael. It’s not just the secret flings–marrying Madison, giving a ring to that actress, spoiling your secretary until she lost it at Ross Enterprise… If I were June, I’d have left way before now.”
Michael slammed down his drink. “Enough! It’s over, okay? Like you ever cared about June anyway.” He snatched up his car keys and stormed out.
“Wait, he’s drunk–someone stop him! He can’t drive like that!”
“Too late, he’s already gone:”
“He’s probably going to June’s. With Damon there? That’s not going to end well.”
-1
“June, can I post this on social?” Damon asked, suddenly looking nothing like his usual self–there was a wild, reckless glint in his eyes that made my heart skip.
Without thinking, I nodded.”
Within a minute, the comments started rolling in:
[is that photoshopped?]%
[Congrats! Finally got the girl! But does June know you’ve been into her for years?]\
[Wait–isn’t that Mr. Norton’s fiancée? What’s going on?]
[Congratulations!]
Damon replied to a couple of them, cigarette between his lips, then disappeared into the shower.
Downstairs, someone started pounding on the door–hard. I pulled the covers over my head, pretending not to hear, but the knocking only got louder, more insistent. Still in my black satin slip. I went downstairs, already knowing who it was. I grabbed the marriage certificate from the drawer and opened the door, my face still flushed.
Michael stood there, soaked to the bone.
“June, please. I’ll stop screwing up. Let’s get back together” His voice shook. “I didn’t think that wedding would matter–I never thought it would change your place as Mrs. Norton. That’s why agreed.”
I leaned against the doorframe, weak, and held up the marriage certificate. “I’m married, Michael. All that’s left is the ceremony. When we have our wedding, I’ll make sure to invite Mr. Nonton for a drink.”
Damon came down the stairs, a towel slung low on his hips, and wrapped his arm around my waist
Michael’s jaw tightened. In a flash, he swung at Damon “I thought you were my friend! You wanted June all along
Damon caught him by the collar and punched back. “You have any idea how much crap you put her through? She stuck by you for five years, Michael Five years! You’re the one who drove her away”
They traded blows–neither backing down &
Standing there in the rain, Michael’s eyes filled with tears “June, I’m drunk. Will you make me some hangover soup? Just like you used to?“?
Damon muttered a curse, then slammed the door shut with a bang &
He pressed me up against it, ignoring Michael’s desperate banging outside
07.32
Chapter S
“June,” he whispered against my ear, “when are we getting married? I want it to be official.”
“You remember how big your engagement party was with him?” His breath was warm on my neck. “Our wedding’s going to be better. I want the whole world to know you’re mine.”
Chapter 6
