Read Taken by You (Taken by You Book One) Online
Authors: M.L. Young
Taken by You (Taken by You Book One) (23 page)
“
You’re the nicest person I know. That’s why I live with you, and why you’re my best friend. He’s obviously not smart enough to see that he had a wonderful girl right there,” she said.
I put my head on her shoulder and she rubbed my back and tried to calm me down. My eyes were filled with so many tears I could barely see straight as I tried to look at the clock, but it was just a jumbled mess. I wiped my still-running nose as Nicolette tried to comfort me and make me stop crying. Why did I trust him? Why did I think that maybe things could change? I never should’ve gotten invested in him. I never should’ve let him get to me. I should’ve used him the same way he used me. Maybe it wouldn’t have hurt so badly if I had done that.
My phone buzzed and I knew who it was. I didn’t even have to look at the phone to know. Nicolette looked at my phone and back at me, as if she were a little concerned that if I looked at the message I’d something stupid I’d regret later.
“
Are you going to look?” she asked.
“
No. I know it’s him. I know he’s probably looking for me or wanting to talk to me. There’s nothing he can say. I don’t want to talk to him,” I said.
“
Do you want me to read it? Or to delete it so you don’t see?” she asked.
“
No,” I said, grabbing my phone and holding down the power button.
My phone turned off and I tossed it beside me on the couch. Nicolette seemed to approve before getting up and walking towards the refrigerator.
“
This seems like an ice cream and cookies type of night,” she said, grabbing two spoons and a box of chocolate chip cookies she had bought the other day.
“
I’m going to get changed first,” I said, getting up.
“
I’ll be here,” she said, setting our snacks down.
I walked into my bedroom, closed the door, and before undressing, sat on the edge of my bed and looked down at the floor while I played with my hands in my lap. How could this have happened to me? Why me? We might not have been together for that long, but he left an impression on me like we had known each other for years.
I felt a new tear come down before I wiped it away and picked up my clothes.
I guess some things aren’t meant to last forever.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Blake
It all happened so fast.
One second Penny and I were great, and the next, it all came tumbling down. I didn’t blame Tom for what happened, even though I knew many people would. I had told him I confessed to Penny and everything was great because of his initial reaction. He thought it was shitty, so I backtracked and said I had made things up to her and we had moved on. That was a mistake. I never would’ve thought, though, that he would say something to her about it. After all, why would he?
All eyes were on me when Penny ran out crying from the event. I tried searching for Tom so I could find out what happened, but he was nowhere to be found. He probably was so scared I’d kick his ass he left the event, like I should have. I didn’t, though.
After about fifteen minutes people seemed to have moved on from their interest in me as live music started to play and lights began to flash. They likely didn’t even remember any of it now.
I had tried to contact Penny about half an hour or so after she left, to see if she had calmed down and would let me talk to her, but she never replied. I wasn’t sure if she even read the message or where she went, though I assumed it was home. I could’ve, and likely should’ve, chased after her and begged her to forgive me, but I didn’t. I wasn’t sure why I didn’t, but to say I regretted it would be an understatement.
How did this thing with her, which started as a way for me to keep my ass clear, turn into something so much larger? I felt almost empty without her, and just knowing she wouldn’t be around here any longer or in my arms when I woke up was almost heartbreaking. She was the only woman I’d ever dated or seen who was a real woman. She didn’t try to make scenes or milk me for all I was worth. She was just happy being around me, and that was all she ever wanted.
In return, I treated her like shit and let her get away from me. Part of me wished I had never seen her that fateful morning, while another part of me was happy that I did get at least a little time with her. I feared she made me a different man—a man wildly different than the man I became years ago. She taught me that not every woman out there was out for me. She taught me that some women out there just want to be there for you, which was a big difference.
I tapped my fingers on my countertop as I waited for my coffee to finish brewing the next morning. I called Grace and let her know that I’d be late and to hold all my calls and appointments. I didn’t tell her what was wrong, but I believed she could hear the desperation in my voice, as she didn’t try to talk me out of it like she normally did. I knew I had important business today, but for some reason, it didn’t seem all that important any longer.
As my coffee stopped brewing and I poured myself a cup, I couldn’t help but keep an eye on my phone just in case it went off. I knew I’d be glued to it all day in hopes that she’d return my texts, but deep down I didn’t think it would be that easy. It never was.
I walked over towards my favorite part of the entire apartment, where floor to ceiling windows reigned supreme, and looked out over the city. I took a sip of my coffee as I saw the cars driving below while I stood there shirtless and exposed.
I knew I had to get her back if I stood any type of chance at happiness. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it had to be done. I’d give her a couple days, and if that didn’t work, I’d make sure I got in contact with her so she could hear me out.
I needed it—if not for me, then for us.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M.L. Young is a New Adult Romance author currently residing in northern Illinois. When not writing, she enjoys horseback riding, sewing, and dreaming about the hot guys she writes about in her books.
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