After a very heated session of either, makeup sex or just we haven't had sex in days sex, I passed out and was finally able to sleep.

A low, mumbled voice woke me from the deep sleep I had finally fallen into. Coles voice, coming from the other room of the suite, but I couldn't make out the words He was saying.

Quietly I got out of bed and put on my robe. I moved to the door and listened.

"-she's sleeping-last night-the move"

I could only hear bits and pieces, not the whole conversation, so I grabbed my gun off the nightstand and walked back to the door to get a better listen.

Turning the handle as softly as I could so I didn't make any noise, I pulled the door open just enough that I could hear and try to see anything.

"You know I do" I heard Cole say in a soothing tone, a comforting tone he'd use on me and my gut instinct told me he was talking to a woman.

"I have to go, I'll see you at 11" he said in that same gentle tone.

I shut the door without making a noise and got back into bed. I put my gun under my pillow to keep it as close as possible. I couldn't hold back my tears, he's lying to me and he's been lying to me.

Oh God, I slept with him a few hours ago and he's probably been with someone else, recently.

I felt sick to my stomach

I can't trust anyone

I didn't want him to see me crying so I wiped my face, dried my tears and closed my eyes so I could pretend to be asleep.

The wheels in my mind were already turning, thinking of a plan to end this mess. I'm not weak anymore. I can take care of myself.

The only person I can depend on is myself.

Ryan, Rex, Cole- are now on my list.

I heard the door open and Cole quietly make his way across the floor to the bed. I kept my breathing steady when I felt his eyes on me.

"Hailey?" He asked into the darkness "baby?"

Hearing him call me that made my skin crawl after that phone call. How many people has he been fucking behind my back? I was warned but I'm the stupid woman who did listen to the warnings.

Satisfied I was sleeping he got into bed and settled in behind me. A couple hours ago all I wanted was him and his body close to me, now I wanted to recoil away from him. But I couldn't do that or he'd know something was up and tomorrow, I'm following his ass.

His arm came across my belly and he pulled me close to him, it took everything I had not to stiffen up at his touch. The same touch that once brought me immense pleasure, was now making me want to throw up.

I never learn. I keep getting drawn to these kind of men, like magnets, and every one of them worse than the previous one. Ryan may have physically abused me but this is way worse.

So much worse

Betrayal

Being told by someone they love you, and will protect you, to trust them. Only to take everything you gave, gave freely and willingly, to take that and knowingly manipulate and crush someone, that's so much worse than cuts and bruises that heal.

My chest hurt inside so badly I begged for sleep to take over but it didn't.

As soon as I felt Cole relax, and his body sink into the bed, I knew he was out.

I slipped out of his hold and got out of bed with my gun in my hand. I grabbed my cigarettes and my phone, then went out to the balcony.

I text Lana a secret code we had when I text her something was wrong when I was with Ryan in Colorado.

ME

THE MOUNTAIN IS GOING TO GET SNOW

I set the phone down on the table knowing she won't be up right now at 4 a.m.

I sat for almost two hours outside on the balcony just chain smoking and thinking. I made myself so nicotine sick that I got the spins had to lay down on the chaise lounger for a bit so I didn't puke.

Mostly I just thought as I lay there, why, why did Cole fake this? He could have taken my money at anytime or just asked me for it, so why this whole scheme?

The longer I lay and thought about the reason why he's played me, the angrier I got, I wanted to punch something or someone.

It's been a week or so since I've worked out with Bennie and I needed to let this anger out.

I got up and grabbed my phone off the table and snuck back inside the house to grab my bag. I had to tip toe inside and back out carefully.

With my hand on the door handle, I glanced back towards the bedroom and decided to leave the asshole a note, just incase I'm over reacting to this whole thing.

Closing the door softly behind me until I heard the door latch click letting me know it was locked, then I made my way to the elevator as fast as I could.

I felt like Cole was going to catch me even though I wasn't running. A voice in the back of my head told me this was stupid. Cole has at least kept me-wait no he hasn't. I kept myself safe and alive that night when he wasn't there for me.

I kept looking back and forth from the room door to the elevator until it dinged in front of me, opening the doors to an empty elevator car.

I hit the lobby button and the close door button, just in case someone else or Cole was coming.

I was down to the lobby and out of the Casino, into my Jeep in less than 15 minutes.

When I pulled out onto the strip I rolled down the windows and let the fresh air blow in my face. It was in the 40's, freezing cold and it felt fantastic.

It was close to Christmas now and decorations were all set up all over the strip reminding me how alone I felt. I loved Christmas so it still made me smile despite the loneliness I felt.

The sun had started to rise so I knew Bennie would be up by now because she's an early riser every morning.

I needed Bennie to work all this stress out of my body and I wanted to shoot my gun.

Since Bennie and Duck lived down the road from Cole, I could do a little spying at his place on my way to see Bennie.

——————

Author's Note:

I was slacking and gave y'all a short one yesterday, I felt bad and continued where I left off 😘 Enjoy

Love A💋