Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
I steeled my heart and my resolve. Emotional turmoil had no place here, at least for now. From this angle, I’d see him drive into the garage, which would give me time to compose myself, and be prepared to broach the subject. If I failed and we split tonight, where did I plan to go? I didn’t know, except somewhere that had an ocean. Not Mobile, and Florida was damned expensive and crowded. I’d have to be able to transfer within FedEx. I had enough money saved to finally buy my own route… I placed my elbow on the arm of the chair, my head rested on my fist. Waiting only strengthened my doggedness to resolve all these lingering issues.
Six hours later, my ass hurt. I’d only gotten up from my chair to use the bathroom. I was in desperate need of a bottle of water and a snack. Yet, I waited, watching intently. I refused to go to bed. That left open a chance of never having this conversation. I practiced my speech, preparing for Dash’s counterarguments. He’d have plenty. I would focus on our maturity and the different directions life had taken us. We’d both evolved as individuals. I refused to tolerate any more lonely nights and weekends, hoping for his time.
I no longer intended to change who I was in order to fit into Dash’s firm. Having Dash try to change me stung the most. Somewhere close to midnight, a pair of headlights caught my eye. I watched the approach and recognized the sedan as being one from Dash’s firm. I rose in my seat and squared my shoulders. That car meant Dash would come in drunk. At least intoxicated enough that he didn’t feel comfortable driving. My heart ached. While I was here waiting for his arrival, he’d been out socializing.
The back door of the Lincoln swung open before the driver stepped out to open that door. Dash stumbled out of the backseat, barely managing to catch himself before he took a tumble. Dash had been drinking quite a bit lately, but I didn’t remember him coming home like this.
The opposite passenger door opened and Chandler leaped, rounding the trunk in a beelined pursuit of Dash. A wave of heat surged through my body. I clenched my fists at my sides. Any excuses I may have made for Dash were tossed out the window. What the fuck was Chandler doing with Dash?
In an overly familiar manner, Chandler swept Dash into his arms, pulling him close. Dash’s arms circled Chandler. When the embrace broke, they exchanged a long glance. Chandler cupped Dash’s cheek, caressing there. The entire scene was intimate, beyond friendship.
What struck me was the way Chandler’s thumb swept across Dash’s lower lip. They looked damned good together. They fit better than Dash and I did. It sure appeared Chandler had taken my place as Dash’s newest plus one.
They turned in unison back to the waiting car. Once Chandler had Dash tucked inside, he shut the door then looked up at me. So they knew I was here. To prove the point, he swiped a hand through the air, dismissing me as he went to the other side of the car. They were off in a matter of seconds.
As I watched them drive away, all I saw was red. My chin hit my chest as I breathed heavily, trying to control the need to hit something into submission. Dash wasn’t coming home. Chandler had probably told him I was home, standing in the window, and they made the decision to leave together.
As unbridled pain washed over me, my eyelids fluttered shut. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, falling from my chest. Motherfucking Chandler.
I tried in vain to convince myself that it didn’t matter that it was him. Anyone in this situation would be devastating, but deep down, I knew that wasn’t true. Chandler hurt worse than anyone else. One thing was certain, I wasn’t sticking around for this. Message fucking received. It took all my strength not to tear this motherfucking place apart. I had no time to think irrationally and act on impulse. I was able to land somewhere in the emotional middle.
With heavy footsteps, I marched across the floor then up each step of this ridiculously curving staircase. I’d always found their design to be dumb. After tonight, I wouldn’t have to see them ever again. By the time I reached the bedroom, I had a good mix of both anger and hurt roiling around inside me. The sight of the room only intensified my emotions. Framed pictures of us—either alone or together—decorated every available shelf and piece of furniture. Tears sprang to my eyes.
Maybe I’d hung on too long, but dammit, we used to be happy . I overlooked the allure of our better days that had kept me here longer than they ever should. We were only kids when we met. Far too young to make the promises we made. We lived life like an old married couple. Dash had always wanted to appear older to compensate for his youth… I forced my mind to stop as I retrieved my suitcase from a storage closet upstairs. Whatever happened between me and Dash was in my rearview mirror. I only needed to look forward.