Page 4 of Tank’s Weakness

“Let me walk you to your car,” Erica says.

“No way. I parked in the Jefferson garage that way. It’s out of your way.” I wave her off.

“Yeah, but you can drive me back to my car. I don’t like the idea of you walking alone.”

“Babe.” I hug her to me. “I am an adult. It’s five blocks. I will call you when I get there. We both know getting anywhere in downtown Pensacola on a Thursday gallery night is not gonna happen by car.”

It’s the truth. It’s a once-a-month event that draws a crowd. I only got a parking spot because I showed up early. Now that the event has started, traffic is going to be crazy.

“Fine, but I want to know you got there. I will do the same. No stopping and talking to strangers. Stay aware of your surroundings.”

“I will. Love you. See you later.”

I hug her once more before we part ways, each heading a different way down the street.

It’s a nice night out. The temperature is still cool despite spring being in full effect. A great night for a walk.

Or so I thought.

As I make it to the end of the ice cream shop next door, I see him. My ex.

Blaine Matthew Collins.

I used to think his douchebag haircut with the shaved parts on the side was sexy. I used to want to marry this guy.

That was all until two months ago.

“Blaine, what are you doing here?” I sigh.

“Getting ice cream. What are you doing here?”

I ignore his question and the fact that he isn’t even holding ice cream.

“Go away. I told you. We are done. I don’t want anything to do with you. You need to stop calling me. I don’t want the flowers. I want nothing when it comes to you. You need to get that through your head.”

He frowns as he steps closer. “Delaney, honey pie, we were good together. We are good together. You can’t throw it away because of one silly mistake.”

I snort. “So that’s what you call fucking your boss on her desk?” I ask.

My mood takes a nosedive as I remember that night. He had been working late all week. I was worried he wasn’t taking care of himself. He said they had a big case they needed to prepare for.

Stupid of me to believe him, really. He isn’t even a lawyer yet. He’s only a paralegal working to get his degree. Still, I bought the lies until I walked in and saw him fucking one of the partners on her desk.

The sad part is, he looked at me with concern, but he didn’t stop. He kept fucking her.

“I told you, I can’t tell her no. If I do, I will be done in law. She is going to make me a partner. You’re my girl. She’s just an obligation.”

I shake my head. “I have never and will never share. You knew that about me from the beginning. It’s why you didn’t tell me about this. You knew I would be gone. I will never trust you again. I don’t care what your excuses are, we are done. Now I’m late to meet my boyfriend, so I need to go.”

It’s a lie, but I know there’s a little dive bar a few doors down. I figure I can walk in there and he will back away. He’s a pussy, so he won’t want a confrontation.

“You were out with Erica. Don’t lie,” he says, anger bleeding into his voice.

“For an early dinner so I could meet my man after. Not that I owe you any explanations. This conversation is over.”

I brush past him, walking confidently down the street.

“Delaney, stop. Delaney, we aren’t done talking.”