Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

Just let one of us know you’re okay.

Me:

It was Blake’s and my decision.

Me:

Don’t punish Coop and Noah for our stupidity.

I can take yelling, even throwing things, but this silence and not knowing is killing me. My phone buzzes and I glance at the screen.

Noah:

She’s fine.

Fuck, that hurts more than anything else. She knows I’m here. She knows I want to see her.

Noah:

Why isn’t she telling you this?

Me:

I’ll explain later.

I pull up my one-sided text conversation with her.

Me:

I’m sorry.

Me:

I fucked up.

Me:

Again.

Me:

Please talk to me, princess.

The door to the apartment opens, and after a moment, Blake rounds the corner. He stalls as he looks at her door, now a barrier between us and her. One that we erected.

Standing, I brush off my pants and join him at the kitchen island. “Did you find out anything?”

“I’ll update everyone when we’re together.” Blake grimaces as he glances at the door again. “Has she spoken to you?”

I shake my head. “Noah texted. She told him she’s fine.”

Blake inhales and releases his breath, sitting on a stool and running his hands through his hair. “I fucked this up.”

“We both did.” I join him and place my phone on the island, hoping she’ll text me, knowing she won’t. That weight settles in my stomach, so fucking heavy.

“How do we fix this?” Blake turns and his green eyes are solemn.

“I don’t know.” The words make my chest ache. Maybe the Elizabeth issue was easier to deal with because I never wanted Elizabeth. Madison knew I had to play like I liked her. But after all the times I stressed trust in this arrangement, to throw that away because of something other women have done in the past is potentially unforgivable. I shrug. “Maybe we’re too broken to love.”