I let my head fall back and a groan of irritation leaves my lips. “I said I was sorry, Parker. What do you want from me? You’re going to have to let it go.” I shrug as the indifference and impatience toward Parker begins to take over. We are going in circles and I know it was only a matter of time before JP starts calling. “Or don’t. But this is ridiculous, Parker. I’m here now, alright? I’m here. This is all because you don’t trust me and…” The words are on the tip of my tongue. Words brought on by frustration and anger and a very large glass of wine on a very empty stomach.

My phone beeps indicating I have a call coming through and I freeze when I see it’s JP and he’ll absolutely freak the fuck out if I don’t answer, knowing that I’m here by myself and wouldn’t have gone to sleep without talking to him.

“I have to go.”

“Wait… what?”

“I. Have. To. Go.” I repeat each word slowly, disdain dripping from my voice. I am angry and maybe I don’t have the right to be but I am. Yes, I am in the wrong for so many reasons I can’t even keep track but I’ve never given him a reason to treat me like this. I’ve been loyal and doting and present and… have you? My subconscious sneers. Have you ever let Parker into the part of your heart that you’ve only let JP? Or have you kept that part guarded ever since JP planted his flag there?

I huff. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Wait, Whitney, baby.”

“No.” My phone stops buzzing and a moment later, a message flashes across my screen.

Jacob: I hope you’re not asleep. I have plans for us, baby. The space between my legs begins to tingle in anticipation and for a brief second, I remember I’m on FaceTime with Parker and the facade slips as I swipe the message away.

“Who’s texting you this late?”

“It’s eleven p.m. in California, it’s not that late. It’s Chloe.” The lie comes out easily. “Let me guess, you’d like to see it?” I pray he doesn’t call my bluff and I’m grateful when he doesn’t respond. “I’ll be there in the morning.”

“Fine.” His eyes drop to the bottom of the screen, which still isn’t showing anything but I assume he’s hoping that something may have become exposed. “I love you.”