Page 15 of How to Trust a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #4)

I took a deep breath. “What happened to me? I had a bruised face and a sprained wrist.”

“Baby, I’m so sorry—I’m not sure how your wrist got sprained, and I know it was wrong to slap you. I was just so upset and hurt by what you said, and I lashed out. You know I don’t normally do anything like that.”

I made a sound of disbelief.

“It’s not like I ever slapped you before, Josh. Passions were high, and I was worried about us. I was scared of losing you. I love you, babe. You mean the world to me.” Rick sounded so sure and so passionate. I almost wanted to believe him.

Almost.

“Rick.” I sighed. Shit. I didn’t want to have to do this. “I meant what I said. I don’t think we’re good for one another. ”

“Baby, how can you say that?” He lowered his voice. “We’re a perfect match, and I’ve missed being with you.”

“We haven’t had sex in ages, Rick. You weren’t interested,” I answered, and I was sure the hurt could be heard in my voice.

“Is that what this is about? Come on home, baby, and I’ll treat you right. We’ll have a marathon in the bedroom, and I’ll make everything up to you. I know exactly what you like,” Rick purred.

I couldn’t believe I had thought that voice was sexy. Now I just felt vaguely ill thinking about being with him.

“Rick, it isn’t about sex. We’re done. We’ve been done,” I said.

“I know you’re mad—” he started.

I cut him off. “It’s not about being mad.

Or about being hurt. You hit me, Rick. You talk down to me and make me feel like shit about myself.

You hate my friends, and we barely talk or have sex anymore.

I don’t love you anymore, and I don’t think you love me.

I’d like to think you did once, but I don’t even know.

We are done . There is nothing that could make me change my mind. ”

I was shaking a little, but I had gotten all that out. I should have hung up the phone, but I didn’t.

Rick laughed meanly. “Is this about the assholes that were on the front camera?” he asked, his voice nasty.

“What?” I asked, having no clue what he was talking about.

“I’ll find out who they are. Waving and winking at the camera before taking all your shit. Are you cheating on me?” Rick accused.

“Oh my god, Rick. When would I have been cheating on you?” I demanded. “I hardly ever went out anymore because it wasn’t worth dealing with your shit.”

“Dealing with my shit? What about your shit, Josh? You’re so fucking dramatic. You hit me, Rick ,” he mocked. “I barely fucking tapped you, and you make it like I’m some abusive asshole. You make everything such a big fucking deal.”

I blinked, my eyes getting watery. I was not going to let him hear me cry. I was not going to give him the satisfaction .

“Then you have some assholes move your stuff out of our place without even a fucking word,” he ranted.

“I sent a text,” I started, but he cut me off.

“ I sent a text ,” he mocked. “Do you even fucking hear yourself? We’ve spent years together, and you think sending a fucking text is a good way to deal with our relationship? What the fuck, Josh? How heartless and cruel are you? Do you have no feelings at all?”

“I—” I started, not even sure what I was going to say.

“No, because you’re selfish, only thinking about yourself. It’s always what you need, what you want, how you feel. You leave me without a word because we had one little argument, and you don’t even have the decency to talk it out with me,” Rick continued.

“Because there is no talking with you!” I yelled.

I never yelled, and it surprised Rick into silence.

“This is what talking to you is. You berating me. You ranting about all my faults. I’m done , Rick.

It’s over . And part of it being over means I don’t have to listen to you anymore.

Don’t call me again. Don’t come looking for me.

I have proof of the bruises, and I’ll get a restraining order.

Leave me alone, and get on with your life. ”

He started to answer, but I hung up the phone, going into settings and blocking the number he’d called from before he could call back.

I was done. I would get a new phone number. I would do whatever I needed to. I didn’t have to deal with him anymore. I wouldn’t deal with him anymore.

Barb stuck her head into my office. “You okay, honey?”

I nodded my head, my lips pursed.

“Oh, hon—why don’t you take the rest of the day off? It’s late afternoon anyway. Head home,” she said.

“The new client,” I said halfheartedly. I really was done for the day, but I didn’t want to let her down.

“I’ll call and reschedule. They were saying today was a busy day for them anyway—I’m sure they won’t mind. And I’ll send you their contact info and nail down a time, so you can call them,” she answered.

I looked at her. There was pity in her eyes, and I couldn’t deal with that. I looked down and started to gather my stuff. “Ok, I’m gonna head out. Send me the info.”

“Do you need more time off?” she asked gently.

“No,” I answered sharply. I looked up then. Barb was kind and sweet, and I loved her as a boss. She didn’t deserve my ire. “No,” I said more softly. “I want to work.”

“Ok, hon. Maybe the rest of this week you can work from home. We can do daily calls to catch up.”

I just nodded, focusing on packing up whatever I would need for the rest of the week. She closed the door of my office as she left, and I breathed out a sigh. I pulled up the rideshare app. I’d need to figure out a car, but not now. I ordered a ride, heading outside to wait for it.

I felt restless and jittery, and I paced up and down the sidewalk, my arms full of folders and my computer bag slung over my shoulder. I needed to do something. I couldn’t live in fear of Rick calling me again, or, god forbid, coming to my office at some point.

I’d talk to Q. He’d handled things with blocking Rick, and I was sure he could help get my phone number changed. I breathed out a sigh. Yes, I was sure Q could help.

When the car pulled up, I checked it was my driver and got in. Once we were headed to the cabin, I stuck my hand in my pocket, feeling the paper from Aiden. Maybe I’d call his therapist, too. I couldn’t be stuck in my head like this.

Before I could second guess myself, I sent a text off to Q, letting him know what had happened and asking him about changing my phone number. Then I looked at the number Aiden had given me, thinking about making an appointment.

I was done feeling like this. I was going to change things, even if it was scary.