Blame it on the shame Part 2

"Nope," he says. "I'm not telling you. It's for your own good, Ricardo. If DeLuca finds out you marched into a club and yanked her out of it when he gave her permission to be here, he's going to know something's up between you two. Besides, she's only going to be here for a few more hours. I've got this," he says before hanging up the phone.

Goddammit. I don't know if I'm more pissed because he's right, or the situation in general.

I close the door behind me before heading to Jackson's.

When he answers, I hand him the vase. "Here, take this."

He raises an eyebrow. "You could probably give Ms. Cleo a run for her money. How did you know I'd need this?"

"Saw you walking up the stairs with flowers. Figured it would come in handy." I grin. "Although I am surprised that you and Tyrone's bromance hasn't reached the level of flowers."

"I wouldn't be one to talk, Ricardo," he taunts. "You're the one who just happened to have a vase." He points across the hall. "Last time I checked, that was a one bedroom apartment. Tell me, what color flowers do you like to get yourself?"

I look down, silently cursing Lou-Lou's name."It's not mine. I had it for...someone."

I hear footsteps approaching. "Oh hey, Ricardo. Thanks," Alyssa says while taking the vase from Jackson.

I look up and utter another silent curse. "No problem," I say. "Wow, you look gorgeous."

Yeah, this is most definitely going to be a problem. Alyssa looks beautiful tonight. That short dress alone will cause Jackson to get into a few fights.

But then I see the smile on her face and guilt wraps its tentacles around me.

I know she doesn't go out a lot...not since that sex tape got leaked anyway.

She beams at me and the tentacles get tighter. "Thanks. It's my birthday. Jackson's taking me out to a club."

Oh, hell. I can't believe I forgot it was her birthday...I out of all people should know.

I just can't find it in me to ruin her night. Which means, I'm going out tonight, too.

"Well, I hope you have a good night," I say. "You really deserve to have a good birthday, Alyssa."

She glances up and gives me a weird look, then she shakes her head.

Ah, fuck...please don't figure it out.

"Thanks, Ricardo. I'm um—" She pauses. "I'm go

"Have a good night," I say again before I turn around and walk to my apartment.

The night hasn't even started and I'm already positive it can't get any worse.

I turn my attention to the bar and take another shot when I see Jackson and Alyssa making out like a pair of horny teenagers against the wall of the club.

I'm still not happy about it...but there's something special between those two.

Well, other than their tongues at the moment.

I'm about to turn back around, but my eyes catch sight of a petite brunette on the dance floor. My senses are on high alert and I immediately stand up, intending to walk over to her...but then she turns around.

The disappointment that floods my chest when I realize it's the wrong petite brunette is brutal.

I slam my glass down and signal for the bartender so I can order another whiskey.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jackson and Alyssa head for the exit of the club. I breathe a sigh of relief, happy they're on their way home for the night.

The bartender fills my glass and I relish the slight burn it provides as I down the entire thing and signal for one more. I don't drink very often, but I'd say my life turning to complete shit in the last 55 hours is a pretty damn good reason to start.

I'm taking a sip of my new drink when someone bumps into me. I clench my fists because I'm really not in the mood to deal with some obnoxious asshole tonight.

"Oops," a female voice says.

The voice sounds vaguely familiar but I can't quite place it. "It's fine," I say, not bothering to turn around.

"Oh, my God. Ricardo? I thought that was you," the voice coos.

I look up just in time to see Scarlet out of all people plopping down on the stool next to me.

I tip my drink in the direction of the ceiling. "Yeah, God. You're on a fucking roll tonight," I say before downing it.

"How have you been?" Scarlet continues, even though I'm not paying her any mind.

When I don't answer, her hands slides up my arm. I instinctively pull away. "I'm sorry," she says. "I forgot how weird you are when it comes to all that stuff." She scrunches her face. "You look like you've had a shit night. Wa

I swirl the ice around in my glass. "No offense, Scar. But I'm pretty sure you're the last person I should be talking to about this." I give her a look. "Shouldn't you be traveling the world or some shit with the small fortune you earned a few months ago."

She ignores my last statement and lifts a shoulder. "Well, no offense, Ricardo—but I had a feeling that bitch was going to do a number on you." Her lips turn up in a smug smile. "Should have just stuck with me. We had a good thing going."

I rub the back of my neck and avert my gaze. What Scarlet and I had was nothing compared to what Lou-Lou and I had.

But on the other hand...what Scarlet and I had didn't leave me feeling like I'm being sucker punched in the heart repeatedly.

I take out my wallet and throw a few bills on the bar. "I guess that depends on your definition of a 'good thing', huh?"

When I stand up, she wraps her arms around my waist. "Scarlet," I growl. "Hands off."

She doesn't listen. Instead, her hand ventures lower.

It's never okay to punch a woman, I remind myself.

I place my hand on top of hers but she stands up and her lips hover over my ear. "I can help you fuck her out of your system," she whispers. "You can be as rough as you want with me."

She cups my balls and I mutter a curse. "You can take me in the alley, pretend I'm her, and fuck all that hate away."

Maybe it's the few glasses of whiskey...or maybe it's the way my balls ache at the thought of hate fucking the living shit out of Lou-Lou against a wall that does it, but when Scarlet takes my hand and leads me to the back exit— I don't protest.

As soon as we get outside, she's all over me. Unzipping my jeans, clawing at my chest, attempting to kiss me.

I close my eyes and try my hardest to pretend it's Lou-Lou but Scarlet's pleas for me to fuck her grate on my goddamn nerves. "Shut up," I bark to a stu

I've never been this much of an asshole to her...but hey— she's the one who offered herself up to use like a cheap toy.

I shove her against the dumpster. "Make one more sound and I walk away."

She nods and I move her dress up over her hips. "The only person I like to hear beg for my cock is her...not you. Understood?"

A crease forms between her eyebrows and her mouth drops open. "But...she's not even anything special," she blurts out while reaching for my face.

I snatch her hand and squeeze it hard while leaning in close to her ear. "Oh, Scarlet...that's where you're wrong." I give her a sinister smile. "She's special enough to make me have to pretend that you're her in order to get me to fuck you again." I laugh and back away. "But you, Sweetie? You're just a desperate, pathetic, mess—one who was never anything more than a convenience for me."