I Lost Control

29. Red

MATT

The parking lot of Brian's firm is busy with a steady crowd of men in suits and women dressed in expensive gowns making their way inside. I haven't seen her yet, but I haven't moved from this spot with a clear view of the entrance. I had to see for myself if she would show up with him. If Summer would really betray me after everything.

I'd given her what she wanted only hours before, but the more I sat in the silent hotel room, the more the thought of her with my best friend began to eat away at me. It felt like a parasite tearing its way through my insides, winding its way around my heart and refusing to let go.

Before I even made a conscious thought, I was in the car driving here with white knuckles as I gripped the steering wheel. It has to have been at least an hour since I parked here facing the entrance but far away enough so I wouldn't be spotted when they pulled in. Maybe she decided against it, maybe she's at home with Landon.

A choked cry leaves my throat when I see her climbing from Brian's black Mercedes in the rearview mirror. My grip on the steering wheel tightens as I glance down at the passenger seat where the black pistol rests. I didn't know what I was going to do with it when I had unlocked the gun cabinet and brought it with me, but right now I have the urge to put a bullet between Brian's eyes. I slip it into the waistband of my jeans before searching her out again.

When I glance back, she's close. Only a few cars away as the two of them walk side by side towards the entrance. I reach for the handle and slip out of the car quietly, but the sound of the door shutting grabs Summer's attention. As she turns in my direction, I can see that her eyes are rimmed with red even with a full face of makeup, like she's been crying.

"What are you doing here?" She breathes out as I take a step closer. My gaze scans her up and down in the floor length dress. It's red with thin straps and I can tell she's not wearing a bra by the way the satin hugs her breasts. Did she plan on fucking him tonight? Would the two of them go back to the house I paid for and pretend like it was their own? The intrusive thoughts can't be silenced as I stare at her. "Matt?" There's concern in her voice this time and I can see it all over her face. She's afraid.

"I can't believe you'd betray me like this." I snap at her as my best friend steps up to stand beside her. When Summer had heard me, he'd been oblivious so he got a few more paces away before realizing she was no longer beside him.

"You know that was never my intention." Summer let's out a sharp exhale as she takes a step back.

"You came here with him." I point a finger at Brian. "As his fucking date after all of this."

"I thought we had an understanding." I take a few steps towards her and she freezes. "I thought we were okay." A sarcastic laugh leaves my chest.

"Of course that's what you thought. I handed you money and a comfortable lifestyle without me and what did you do? You ran to him like you always do. This is what you've always wanted, isn't it?" I seethe as I look back and forth between the two. Brian's face is stoic, but it's obvious he has something he wants to say.

"Matt, you need to go." Brian steps forward while raising a hand. As I pace the space between us, a thousand different thoughts race through my head. All of them ending with me alone and the one person in this world I love with Brian.

"I'm done with this shit, Summer. I'm fucking done."

"I thought we made that clear this morning." She points out and that makes me stop.