CHAPTER 19
Dane
ONE YEAR AGO…
“Do you really think anybody would want you?” Britney said with an evil laugh. “You’re scarred. You dress like some kind of transient. You’re pathetic next to your brother, Trace.”
I’d known, even while I was in Denver, that Britney was going to eventually arrive on the island to pick up her clothes. We’d parted in Denver, but there was no way she was going to give up her expensive wardrobe I’d funded, or the other things I’d given her. I’d just hoped that it would take a while for her to perform that particular errand.
But it hadn’t.
She’d arrived in the Cay the same day that I’d gotten back from the holidays in Colorado.
Now that her things were packed up and ready to go, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to avoid her. If I tried, she’d find me.
“It’s over, Britney. Just go.”
Unfortunately, she’d already hunted me down until she discovered me in my studio. I had no idea why she needed to tear me down just because I wasn’t Trace.
Hell, I’d known that she never really wanted me. I’d just paid for the privilege of using her body, and the price had been pretty damn high. But I’d craved human contact. I’d been perfectly aware that she’d been using me for my money. I just hadn’t quite comprehended that she was using me to get back at my brother, Trace, for dumping her.
Had she really thought that my brother would take her back? Britney was a viper, and I was glad Trace had Eva now. What I’d never really understood was why my sibling had been taken in by Britney’s false charm in the first place.
“Oh, I’m leaving,” she said vehemently. “I just wanted you to know how much I hated every fuck with you.”
“Why?” I asked nonchalantly. Not that I really cared, but it seemed like the obvious thing to ask.
She elaborated. “I suffered through it every single time. Your scars made my skin crawl. It isn’t even worth it. The money you gave me was pretty sad.”
I’d shelled out tens of thousands of dollars on her for the short time she’d been on the Cay. Whatever I gave her, it was never enough. I was kind of doubting any man would ever have enough money to satisfy Britney, and I felt sorry for the next poor bastard she decided to drain.
“Go, Britney. I’m trying to work.”
Honestly, I was just glad she was leaving my island, and that she would never get my brother’s attention again.
She’d threatened Trace.
She’d tried to break up his relationship with Eva.
And she’d thoroughly used me to get the money she coveted.
Not that I hadn’t known that.
I’d just been desperate enough to let her hang around.
Now, I preferred to be alone. I knew just how empty it felt to be fucking a woman who hated looking at me.
“Work!” she screamed in a shrill voice. “That’s all you ever care about.”
“Did you want me to care about you?” I questioned, knowing the answer to my question before I even asked.
“No! This whole experience was bad enough. I hated being forced to sleep with you.”
I shrugged. “You could have left at any time. You definitely weren’t unwilling.”
“You know I need money. Trace left me high and dry.”
“So our money was interchangeable?” I asked.
I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears as she retorted, “You’ll never be Trace.”
Nope. I’d never be my older brother, but she should have known that from day one. I wasn’t as polished or as educated as my older brother, and I sure as hell didn’t look like him. I was scarred. Trace was not.
“I’ll send you a check,” I said flatly, wanting nothing more than to see the back of Britney. Maybe there had never been any emotions between us, but her insults were starting to jab at my insecurity.
She pointed her nose in the air. “Good. It won’t make the sacrifice I made less difficult, but the money will help.”
I watched as she whirled around and left the studio.
Christ! I was glad she was gone. What had I been thinking when I’d decided to let her hang around?
Had I been hoping she’d change?
Maybe I’d just wished she’d be tolerable for a while. I’d wanted some kind of distraction, some sort of companionship. And yeah, maybe I had wanted to get laid, but the price to my sanity had been way too high.
I’ll be fine alone. I’ll get used to it.
This time I knew those words were completely true. Getting off hadn’t been worth the emotional price I’d had to pay in the form of Britney’s constant complaining and criticism.
Her words had touched a nerve, even though I didn’t want to admit it.
Screw getting laid. I could get myself off with a lot less hassle. I’d never be with another woman again unless I really wanted her and she felt the same way.
I was pretty sure that was never going to happen.