The Final Temptation (8 page)

I rush up to my room as a strangled noise leaves my throat, but manage to hold the dam off until I fall into bed. I hug my pillow close and try to muffle my sobs. I let everything pour out of me. My humiliation and guilt for what happened at supper, my anger at Mark, but mostly I cry my heart out over Cooper. For the fact that I wasted three years loving someone who never thought I was good enough anyway.

“I mean jesus, it’s like fucking poison wherever you go!”

I meant what I said—I will fix the mess I made, then I will make sure to never taint him again.

A
couple nights later I’m sitting out on the back patio in my sweats with a blanket draped around me, the warm night and clear starlit sky doing nothing for my heavy heart. I hear the back door open, then a second later my mom takes the chair next to me and hands me a cup of tea. I smile at her as I take the steaming mug then curl my feet under me and look ahead into the distance again. I feel her watch me and know we are about to have the talk that I have been stalling to have.

“Mr. Vail called your father.” I falter, not expecting her to start with that. “He said you went there today and apologized, not only about what happened at supper but also about Brittany’s car.”

My blood heats when I think about apologizing to that bitch. Her parents were good about it, but she was smug as shit and enjoyed every minute of my humiliation. I hate that my parents found out from Mr. Vail and not me. I didn’t think he would call them, especially not so soon. “Yeah, it wasn’t easy but I knew it was the right thing to do,” I admit.

“You’re right, it was the right thing to do, but I wouldn’t have held it against you if you didn’t.”

I tear my gaze away from the darkness and look at my mom now, surprised by her comment. “You wouldn’t?”

“No, because you’re right, Brittany is a Class-A bitch.”

I rear back, shocked by her language. A moment of stunned silence stretches between us before we both burst out laughing. It’s the first time I’ve laughed or smiled in days and it feels really good, but I sober quickly. “Yeah, she is, but I shouldn’t have let her bait me like that. I hate that I ruined things for dad.”

She shakes her head with a smile. “You didn’t ruin anything, honey. Your dad got that contract.”

“He did?”

“He did. That is partly why Mr. Vail called him. He also told your father that he had a very courageous daughter and that he should be really proud of her. Of course we both already knew that.”

I smile and feel some of the guilt lift from me, knowing that I didn’t screw things up beyond repair. “Well I’m glad one good thing came out of this.”

My mom’s expression softens and I already know what she’s about to say before she says it. “How on earth did I not know about your feelings for Cooper?”

Just the sound of his name is like a blow to the stomach. “It’s not like I was really forthcoming about it.”

“No, but when I think about it now it’s clear as day. I hate how oblivious I was and that I didn’t know my baby was in love.” I swallow thickly and feel tears sting my eyes but I hold them back, I’ve shed enough over the last few days. “I really hate that I invited him here with the Vails. I hope you know I would have never done that had I known.”

“Of course I do. Don’t worry about it, Mom, none of it matters anymore anyway,” I tell her softly.

“Oh, and why do you say that?”

It takes me a minute to find my words. “Because I’m not good enough for him, and in his eyes I never will be.” I turn my face away and bite my lip, trying to stop it from quivering.

“Kayla Kellar, look at me right now!” I turn back to her with a blurry gaze and swipe at the single tear that manages to slip free. My mom’s expression is sad as she cups my face. “You listen to me, you are wrong. You’re more than good enough for Cooper.”

“We are so different, too different. Cooper is so levelheaded and I’m…not.”

“Of course you’re different. It wouldn’t be fun otherwise.” I shake my head but she doesn’t let me speak. “Yes, you have a hot temper, and sometimes that makes you react without thinking, but you come by it honestly, and you have your father to thank for it.” I can’t help but smile at that because I know it’s the truth. “Never doubt your self worth, Kayla. I think you and Cooper are perfect for each other and I’m happy to know out of all the people you could have fallen for it was him.”

My smile vanishes and pain lances through me again. “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore. He doesn’t feel the same way.”

“You’re wrong. I saw it that night. He was so panicked when you ran out like that. He really laid into Brittany, and so did your father. He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t care.” I don’t say anything because I know she doesn’t understand and she isn’t going to. “I don’t know what happened with you guys the other night, but I hate seeing you so heartbroken. Whatever it is, I know y’all can fix it.”

I shake my head again, my throat too tight to speak. Some things can’t be undone.

My mom expels a heavy breath then leans in and kisses my cheek. “Just think about it, sweetheart. Finish your tea then come inside and see your father. He’s worried about you.”

I nod. “Okay, I will.”

She gives me one more kiss then goes inside. I stare into the darkness again and think about everything she had to say. She doesn’t understand because she doesn’t know what he said. And, when I really think about it, I’m starting to realize this is all for the best, no matter how much it hurts. I am irrational and let my emotions get the best of me. It’s just how I’m wired, and the future Sheriff of Sunset Bay doesn’t need that kind of hassle. He is going to have responsibilities and an image to uphold, he doesn’t need my
poison
.

I shake myself out of my thoughts and worry about a different set of problems, like the fact that prom is this coming weekend and I’m all alone with no date, and I have no one to blame but myself. I was so happy for Julia that she finally got the courage to ask Jaxson, and even more elated that he said yes. She told me to come with them, but no way in hell am I being their third wheel. There isn’t enough time for me to find anyone else to go with, everyone already has dates. Well, maybe not Timmy Dickerhoff, but there is no way I’m going to subject myself to his creepiness just so I’m not dateless. I’d rather not go at all.

The sound of a familiar truck pulls in next door and I immediately get the urge to run into the house, but I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. I’m glad his parents get home tomorrow and I won’t have to see him so often anymore. I tense in surprise at the sound of my gate opening, and my heart races anxiously.
Why the hell is he coming over here?

I feel his gaze on me as he makes his way over and I curse my body’s reaction to it. “Hey,” he greets quietly.

“Hi.”

I hear him take the seat next to me but I keep my eyes forward and don’t look over at him. “How have you been?”

“Fine.”

In my peripheral vision I see him shift uncomfortably. “We didn’t get a chance to talk about what happened with Mark the other night.”

I tense, not wanting to have this conversation with him. “I don’t want to talk about it, Cooper. Especially with you.”

He releases a frustrated breath. “Then will you at least go to the station tomorrow and talk to someone else? Leave a statement? He was arrested that night for having drugs on him, but he needs to pay for what he did to you, Kayla. For whatever the fuck happened. And since I can’t punish him with my fists, I will make him pay with the law.”

I take a moment to think about this. I haven’t told my parents yet about what happened with Mark, but Cooper is right, I do need to make a statement. The last thing I want to happen is for Mark to do this to some other girl because I never spoke up. Hell, who’s to say he hasn’t already done this to someone else. They just may not have been as lucky as I was. “I’ll go tomorrow.”

I hear him expel another breath, this one sounding more like relief. “Good. Thanks.” When I stay silent he clears his throat. “So I heard you went and saw the Vails today.”

Of course he did.
“Yup, but don’t worry, I didn’t say you caught us. I left yours and Julia’s name out of it.”

I feel the intensity of his eyes as he watches me and I desperately want to look over at him but I don’t, knowing it will only make it harder. Even his delicious scent is getting to me right now, making it difficult to hold on to my resolve, and that just jacks my annoyance up another notch.

“I didn’t think you would have.”

“No?” I question, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my tone. “Then why are you bringing it up? Shocked that I have a decent bone in my body, Cooper?”

“Jesus, no, that’s not it. I—”

“Save it. I don’t care, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“The hell it doesn’t! Would you fucking look at me?”

I shake my head and stand, not wanting to be around him right now. I’m still too upset to talk to him. He grabs my wrist with a frustrated growl and electricity shoots through my arm like a bolt of lightning. I look at where he has me grasped, then for the first time I look up at him and, like I thought, just the sight of him hurts. “Better be careful, Cooper, there’s only so much
poison
someone can take before it kills them.” I know it’s a bitter thing to say but I can’t help it, I’m still so hurt by his words. Words I will never forget.

I ignore the guilt that washes over his expression. “I didn’t mean it, Kayla.”

“Yes, you did. Because, unlike me, you aren’t irrational, and you only ever say what you mean.”

I rip out of his grasp and rush into my house, ignoring him when he calls me back. It hurts like hell but I know in the end it’s better this way. I can’t let myself love him anymore; he already made it clear that I’m not good enough. Prolonging this will only end up breaking me in the end.

M
y heart races and my stomach twists anxiously as I pull up in front of the banquet hall. My phone buzzes like crazy but I don’t look at it, knowing it’s probably Julia. I feel so guilty for telling her last minute that I would just meet her here and not go to her house first, but I just couldn’t show up with her and Jaxson. I would have felt like a complete idiot. Though maybe it wouldn’t have mattered, because as I get out of my car and see all the couples laughing and walking up to the front doors, I still feel like an idiot.

I feel a panic attack coming on and second-guess the decision I made to come here. So instead of heading into the hall I dart to the right and follow the stone path that leads to a beautiful garden lit up with white lights. I come to a sudden stop when I see a couple kissing, thinking they’re in privacy. I’m about to turn back around but they end up breaking apart and start leaving first.

“Hey, Kayla.” Suzy greets me with a blissful smile. “You look amazing, I love your dress.”

I glance down at my dress, the one my mom and I shopped hours for. At the time I had hoped to find something that would knock Cooper on his ass. The soft, black silk hugs my body in all the right places and falls effortlessly in others. The trim of rhinestones lay delicately along the swells of my breasts then follows a path along the straps and outlines the seams of the open back of the dress. Yup, it’s pretty fucking epic and I have no one to impress with it.
Ugh, get over it, Kayla.
I paste a fake smile on my face. “Thanks, I love your dress too. You guys both look great.”

“Thanks.” They head to the back entrance and I hear the music faintly as he opens the door for her and they enter the hall.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I go take a seat on the cement bench that’s in front of a small fountain. The sound of the water and the warmth of the surrounding white lights begin to calm my erratic heartbeat.
God, what was I thinking coming here? Would it really have mattered to miss my own prom?
My entire week has already been shit; missing this wouldn’t have made it much worse. Between having to tell my parents about what happened with Mark, going to the police station to file a report, and ensuring Cooper wouldn’t be there at the same time has left me completely drained. I should have just stayed home, curled up in bed and watched
Dirty Dancing
while vegging out and cursing a certain sexy cop. The idea sounds more appealing by the second and I decide that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I am in no mood to be here and my pity party is only going to wreck it for others.

Standing, I turn and start walking but come to an abrupt halt when I see someone come charging in frantically. “There you are!” My eyes widen in shock and I blink several times, thinking I’m hallucinating the person in front of me. “Why aren’t you answering your damn phone?” Cooper asks through labored breaths. He’s bent down with his hands on his knees, looking like he just ran a marathon. He holds a corsage in his hand that looks a little worse for wear. Silence surrounds us as I gape at him, still not believing what I’m seeing. After catching his breath he stands to his full height and his eyes sweep down my body. “Jesus, you look fucking incredible.”

My stomach does a flip at his compliment and blatant appreciation, but I wish it didn’t.
Bastard.
He’s a sexy bastard, especially all dressed up, but still… “What are you doing here?” I ask, finally finding my words.

He starts toward me, or maybe stalk is a better word. His eyes are narrowed and he looks insanely pissed. “You were supposed to go to Julia’s first. You ruined my plan.”

I rear back, aghast at his reply. “Well I changed my mind. You and your plans weren’t a part of it. Just like they aren’t now, which is why I’m leaving.” I move to walk around him but before I can make it past him he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back against him. Heat rushes through my veins and I suck in a sharp breath when I feel his erection against my lower back.

“Cooper, let me go.” The protest is weak at best. My heart has me never wanting to leave this spot in his arms, but my pride and hurt feelings tell me to run as fast and far as I can.