Page 10 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

Chapter

Nine

FAWN

Becoming a veterinarian was the only thing I’d ever wanted to do.

I’d always loved my classes, but the last couple of weeks had been dreadful.

It took everything in me to show up. I hadn’t been able to focus and had spent the days randomly wiping tears off my cheeks before anyone noticed.

The only things I’d managed to finish were my labs, and that was only because it was partner work that kept me distracted from swirling into a pit of despair.

I hadn’t seen Titus since my birthday. He seemed to be avoiding the house and me, as much as I was trying to stay away from him. Turning into a pathetic sobbing mess in front of him was not something I wanted either of us to experience.

Two whole weeks of not seeing Titus, and of course, today was Valentine’s Day.

I hadn’t realized just how annoying the holiday was until now.

Pink and red balloons with flowers had been delivered to one of my classes as a surprise for a classmate.

People were cuddling and kissing everywhere.

Even my playlist was out to get me, playing songs that reminded me of Titus.

Stepping out of my last class, I was headed for the exit when I spotted Steph walking toward me.

My mind turned the moment into a movie. Her blonde hair blew behind her, and people just naturally moved out of her way like the parting of the Red Sea.

As usual, all heads turned in her direction.

She ate it up and winked at the guys. Steph was a walking ray of sunshine while I felt like Pigpen from Charlie Brown with the dirt cloud following me around.

“Hey, babe,” she said, wrapping me in her arms for a hug.

“Hey,” I managed and then swallowed the tears.

“I decided that I wasn’t going to let you ignore me anymore.” Pulling back, she gave me her best pout. “Want to make out in front of all these people? They’ll be jealous they don’t get to participate in all this sexiness.”

I snorted. “No, I think I’m good.”

“Your flat-out refusal to call me back says otherwise,” she scolded, and I looked down.

“I’m sorry…I’m not good company right now.”

“Nonsense, you don’t need to pretend to be happy for my sake. I love you no matter what,” Steph said while I nodded and wiped away a stray tear rolling down my cheek. “Okay, enough of that. You’ve had two weeks to grieve. It’s time we got you back in the saddle.”

“You just told me not to pretend.”

“Oh, you misunderstand. You had your time to be sad, but if that dumbass can’t see what a catch you are, then it’s time your sexy ass moves on.”

She wrapped her arm around my shoulders, and it felt more like she was herding me toward the door than casually walking.

“Just like that, you want me to shut off my feelings?”

“No, you can still be sad. I hate to say this to you, but…he’s getting married, Fawn, and there is no point crying over something you can’t stop. He’s not moping around. So, why should you? But worry not. I’ve come up with the perfect plan.”

“Oh no,” I mumbled, knowing this was going to be something I had no interest in doing.

That fear was confirmed when we stepped outside. Idling by the curb was a giant tour bus with two dozen guys standing outside of it.

“Steph, what is that,” I asked, frozen to the spot.

She smiled conspiratorially at me. “That is my get back on the horse surprise.”

“I don’t understand…you didn’t plan a gangbang or something, did you? Because if you did, you can count me out.”

She burst out laughing and then stopped and tapped her chin. “No…but that’s a hell of an idea. They are all sexy. Let me think on that.”

“No, don’t think about it. Pretend I never said it, and I don’t care what this plan is. I’m not interested.”

I turned around, ready to sprint back into the lecture hall and hide, but Steph grabbed my arm.

“Nope, you are coming with me. It’s not a gangbang, I promise.

” I faced her and crossed my arms. “Okay, I’ll tell you.

Those gorgeous men over there are the Roughriders.

They want to let loose, so we are heading to the beach and then off to dinner and dancing at Viva Loca,” she said, wiggling her hips.

“Do I want to know how you got hooked up with a college football team?”

Her smile widened. “You’re looking at their newest head of marketing and spokesmodel, of course.”

Of course, she was.

“I really don’t think this is the right environment for me right now, Steph. Besides, I have to feed and walk the dogs.”

Steph grabbed me by the shoulders. “It’s Valentine’s Day, and I refuse to let you sit in your room all night moping, crying, and looking at photos. Don’t you dare deny it because I know you.”

“Steph…I know, but….”

“I didn’t want to do this, but you’ve left me no choice. If you don’t come with me, then I’ll be forced to release the video. You know the one.”

My jaw dropped. “You swore you’d never let anyone see it.”

I still had no idea how Steph had managed to talk me into getting drunk and dancing in my underwear for the camera.

We’d been at her house for a girls weekend, watching Cocktail and decided to recreate the scene with Tom Cruise in his socks dancing.

Mortified couldn’t fully describe my feelings the next day while I battled a massive headache.

“Don’t make me do it. You know I will, and I even packed extra clothes so that you don’t have to go home.”

Steph bit her lip as she winked at me.

“Fine, give me a few minutes.”

“Yes,” she cheered and skipped away toward the bus.

This was a terrible idea. A really terrible, horrible, awful idea, but I still pulled my phone out to call Titus. Standing there, I realized that hearing his voice right now was too much, so I texted him instead.

F: Hi there, would you be able to look after the girls tonight?

T: I was hoping we could talk. Are you not going to be home at all?

I touched the necklace he’d given me. The charm felt heavy despite it being a delicate pair of wings.

F: No, I have Valentine’s plans with Steph.

T: What kind of plans?

F: Beach, dinner, club, and crash at her place. Why?

The first inkling of anger sparked in my chest at the interrogation. Titus had never questioned me before, but now that he was engaged, he was suddenly Sherlock Holmes.

T: No reason.

F: So, can you look after them?

T: Yes, of course, but we really need to talk.

F: Look…I’m just going to say it. I know that you know how I feel about you.

At least I think you realize that I care for you more than just being your ward.

If you didn’t…well, now you do. So, if you want to talk about your engagement, then please let’s not.

I’m happy for you, and I wish you all the best with this woman.

Truly. But I’d rather not talk about it and just get on with my life like you’re doing with yours.

My heart was hammering. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten brave enough to say that, but it felt good. I’d taken a tiny step in the right direction. There was such a long pause with nothing that I figured he wouldn’t respond at all. Then, the little bubbles appeared.

T: I’ll look after the girls. Have a good time with Steph.

I closed my eyes and swallowed down the pain.

F: Thanks.

“Come on, we’re burning beach time,” Steph called from the door of the bus.

Stupid idea or not, I needed to get Titus out of my head. Maybe Steph was right. Letting loose and having fun might be the key to healing my heart.

“Coming,” I said, stuffing the phone back into my pocket.

TITUS

“Fuck!”

Levi ran into my office and looked around. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. At least nothing work-related,” I said, and Levi slumped, clutching his shirt.

“I’ve never heard you yell. I thought someone broke into your office or something.”

I shook my head in response and stared at my phone.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“No, I’m not. But there’s nothing you can do. I’m taking the rest of the day off,” I said, locking my desk and standing up.

Levi raised an eyebrow at me like I’d just said the craziest thing in the whole world.

“I don’t think you’ve taken a single day off work since I started here.”

Bella and Daisy followed me as I marched across the office and grabbed my coat.

“I just need some fresh air for a few hours. If anyone calls for me, you don’t know where I am.”

Stomping past Levi, I headed to the elevator.

I stared at Fawn’s message all the way down to the garage. She confirmed all my suspicions and didn’t want to see me or talk to me. Living her life without me was exactly what I wanted for her, and yet…now that she was doing it…I didn’t fucking like it. No, I fucking hated it. It made me feel sick.

The door dinged, and Rob came running over as I stepped out.

“Titus, I’m so sorry I didn’t expect you this early. Give me a minute, and I’ll grab your SUV,” he said, tossing cookies in the air for Bella and Daisy.

“No, I need the exercise. Do you have the fob?”

He pulled it out of his pocket but looked reluctant to hand it over.

“Are you sure? I’m happy to run and get it for you.”

“Yes, I’m sure.” He looked at the black fob and then slowly held it out to me. “It’s okay, I’m not angry.”

“I hate screwing up is all.”

I smirked. “You and me both, but you didn’t screw up,” I said, squeezing Rob’s shoulder to reassure him before I walked away.

It had been a long time since I had to look after my girls on my own.

Three years since Fawn took over. She either had it all done by the time I got home, or we walked them together and prepared their food while we chatted.

I loved spending time with them, but it was the doing it alone part and what it meant that bothered me.