Page 18 of Avenging Azalea (California Made Men #2)

“Not to be a bitch, but can you really call that place your home now that he’s getting married?

Are you going to stay there and become their live-in housekeeper or something?

I mean…that’s…just…no, absolutely not. You need to move out before the wedding, Fawn.

I told you my pool house is always available. ”

Steph’s words felt like an arrow right through my heart.

“Yeah, I know. Something else for me to think about. Anyway, the guards are staring at me. I better go. Bye, girl.”

“Bye, babe.”

I hung up and grabbed my purse and bags, feeling like a pack mule as I got out of my car.

It was a Volkswagen and didn’t match anything else parked in the loop of expensive vehicles.

Titus had insisted on buying me something to go from home to school, but I’d refused anything new or fancy. This was our compromise.

“Hi, Naji.” I smiled at the guard, who felt like family.

“Ms. Fawn, how are you this evening?”

“Surviving. Things have been difficult, but I love working at the clinic and helping the animals.”

He gave me a little smile, and even if he wanted to mention something about Titus and the marriage to Vera, he wouldn’t. Titus’s men were loyal, which I appreciated and respected.

“Do you want help carrying your bags up to your room,” he asked, opening the front door for me.

“No, I’m all good, but thank you.”

I’d spent the last few days avoiding Titus by crashing in Steph’s spare bedroom at night.

It felt necessary to put some space between us, so I’d sneak home every day to do my chores and set dinner for the girls.

I was in and out before Titus got home from work, but it felt rushed, and I missed cuddling them at night.

As soon as I stepped into the house, I heard the thunder of paws and the click-clack of nails. It filled me with an unmatched joy. I was suddenly swarmed and ended up on my ass, laughing as my pack licked every piece of bare skin they could find.

“Okay, okay, enough. I missed you, too.”

They each got a kiss on their head before I reloaded my bags and trudged up the stairs with my army of dogs. No matter what Steph said, this was my home, and the thought of leaving made me feel sick.

My stomach grumbled as I put my stuff down. I needed to get something to eat and see if I could find Titus. Was that a good idea? Probably not. But hiding was cowardly, and that made me hate myself more than loving someone who clearly didn’t share my feelings.

“You all stay here. I’ll be right back,” I said to the sad faces. “Don’t worry I’ll bring you back cookies.” I’d learned quickly that dogs were awesome unless you wanted to sneak around. They kind of gave you away every time.

The one thing being away from Titus had allowed me was clarity.

I’d imagined this entire life and relationship in my head, but that was on me.

It wasn’t his fault. Punishing Titus for not having the same feelings when he’d never promised me more romantically was wrong and childish.

He’d taken me in and treated me like family.

It was time that I grew up and faced him, no matter how much it hurt.

Too tired to change out of my scrubs, I wandered out of my room on the hunt for food and Titus.

All his normal spots were empty, and I was starting to think he wasn’t home when I heard faint men’s voices.

The conversation got louder as I neared the den.

It was definitely Titus, but I didn’t recognize the second man.

“I’d rather push thumbtacks in my cock.”

Ouch. I cringed at the visual. Who would want to do that?

“What the hell is wrong with you,” Titus asked. “How are we related?”

This had to be Ronan, Titus’s older brother.

I’d spoken to Nathaniel enough times to know his voice.

I snuck as close to the door as I dared and peeked around the corner.

Only half of Titus’s face was visible from my angle.

I could only see the back of his guest’s head.

I hadn’t known his voice, but the platinum blond hair told me this was indeed Ronan.

“I’m not into kids,” Ronan said.

“Well, you better get used to the idea. That’s the whole point of getting married, right? You do still plan on picking someone?”

Ronan shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m not doing the white picket fence bullshit. Despite what Amy thinks. I said my piece. I don’t think you should marry Vera.” My heart skipped a beat. “She’s not right for you.”

“Vera has a lot going for her. She comes from a great family. She’s beautiful, smart, and ambitious with her company. Besides, what is the alternative?”

“I don’t know, but you shouldn’t do this.”

“The wedding is only eight months away. Get used to it.”

“Who the fuck has a Christmas wedding? It ruins the holiday for everyone. The two of you are inconsiderate assholes. No one is going to show up. You should just cancel.”

Christmas? That was so soon. My stomach churned, and tears pricked my eyes.

“Stop it. I don’t want to hear anymore. What’s done is done, and there’s no going back. If you only came over to talk me out of marrying Vera, then you can show yourself out.”

“Fine, I’ll go. But remember that I told you this was a mistake.”

I slowly backed away and darted into the dark library across the hall. Standing in the shadows, I watched Ronan leave. I’d only met him once two years ago. He’d seemed imposing then, but now he made me shiver.

“Fuck,” Titus swore, and I jumped as something shattered.

Titus never got angry. It was as rare as a blue moon. Not stopping to think about it, I ran into the den. He had his back to me, and his hands were balled into fists. There was a dent in the wall across the room and glass on the floor.

“Are you okay?”

He spun around, and all the bravery I’d managed to build flew out the window.

My heart thundered in my chest as my mind raced at the sight of him.

Titus’s eyebrows were pulled down in a scowl, making his already sexy eyes darker.

It brought me back to his confrontation with the football team.

He’d been so different, so commanding, and…

after the initial shock, all I wanted to do was fan myself.

“Fawn, you came home.” His voice was soft, and I bit my lip to hide my true reaction.

It was like a million little hummingbirds took flight inside of me. All my emotions from the last month were tossed into the mix, leaving me more confused than I’d ever been before.

“I…um…I….” I repeated the two words as Titus walked toward me. The energy in the room shifted, and my legs shook. “I’m….” I tried again, but words continued to escape me.

My brain misfired completely when he reached for me and cupped my cheek tenderly. It had always amazed me how someone so large could be so gentle.

“God, I’ve been so worried. I thought I scared you off when I grabbed you. You looked terrified. Like you thought I might hurt you. But I could never. I need you to know that,” Titus said, suddenly pulling me into a hug.

As hard as I tried to resist the urge, I hugged him back.

He smelled incredible and was so warm. I wanted to snuggle into him and never let go.

He might have been worried about me, but it was clear that I was still wholly in love with him.

My heart sang with his touch, and I gripped his shirt with a desperation that I could never show him.

“The house is never the same without you.”

I closed my eyes and had to step away.

He let me pull back, and I wanted to scream.

Why was he so damn nice? God, what I wouldn’t give for him to push me up against the wall like he had the other night.

Instead of letting me walk away, he could ravage my mouth before carrying me into the bedroom.

But he wouldn’t do that because he was too much of a gentleman.

It took all the courage I possessed to look him in the eyes.

“I just wanted a little break and to hang out with Steph. Some time to unwind from exams. You know….” I said, fluffing the conversation off.

Titus opened his mouth, but I pointed toward the other end of the house.

“I was getting something to eat when I heard you yell. Are you okay?”

“Yeah…I am now.”

I stuffed my hands in my jeans to keep them from touching him.

“Okay, well…I’m gonna go.”

He didn’t say anything when I turned to leave, so I kept walking. My body was trembling from the surge of emotions.

“Fawn….”

Titus had followed me into the hallway and was staring at me with…was that hope?

“Do you want a milkshake?”

I looked down at my phone.

“At nine at night?”

“Yeah, why not? Live it up a little.”

This was probably a terrible idea.

“Can we get burgers and fries, too?”

The corner of his mouth pulled up in a lopsided smile. “Deal.”

And just like that, my heart skipped and danced around in my chest. This was undoubtedly a terrible idea.