Page 6 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

His face pales, before he tries to hide his reaction. But he isn’t quick enough. I see it. There’s rage in his eyes before he huffs. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

“Oh, really?” I scoff, pushing off the counter.

I brush past him, leading into the living room, passing down the hallway into my bedroom.

Snatching the tablet from the bed, I make my way back to find Dalton standing awkwardly in the living room as Winnie is standing by him, sniffing around.

Dalton's nose scrunches up as he regards Winnie.

As I enter, he notices me. His eyes see the tablet in my hand, and I see his jaw tighten.

“Yeah, you forgot to disconnect your messages from my tablet.” I explain, unlocking the screen.

The conversation is still where I left it, my eyes scanning over the conversation quickly before continuing.

“Do you talk to everyone you work with like you do with your receptionist?” I toss the tablet down onto the couch before heading to the patio door to let Winnie out.

“You know, it all sort of makes sense now. The late nights, the cold attitude Chloe always gave me when I was at the office when we used to go out to lunch. The distance.”

“You’re sounding crazy. Chloe was just a friend from the office nothing more—” He goes to continue, but I cut him off before he even has a chance to spout off whatever bullshit he was about to say. I walk back to the couch and pick the tablet up, scrolling until I get to the part I want to share.

“Chloe: When do you think you’ll be able to get away from that leech? I got something from your favorite store today and I want to show you.” I cock my head and rest a hand on my hip. “And don’t get me started on the pictures of her modeling said things from your favorite store.”

A look of panic quickly washes over his face when he finally realizes he’s been caught.

Dalton sputters, and I can see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to come up with something to cover his tracks.

I literally have the proof in my hands. One of the perks of being together with someone for so long is that you can read them like a book.

Granted, maybe I don’t know him as well as I thought I did.

I know this though. He always gets angry when things don’t go his way.

“Well, what the fuck were you thinking snooping through my messages? It’s not my fault you found something you didn’t like.”

My head snaps back at the audacity of this man. You’ve got to be kidding me.

“You know what Dalton? I…” I sigh. “I just don’t care anymore.

It’s over. You clearly moved on well before that was even decided.

I just … just get the rest of your shit, and go.

” I plop myself on the couch and rest my head on the back of the couch, closing my eyes.

So much has happened in the last week, I honestly don’t think I could take any more bad news .

I hear barking coming from the patio door, so I get up and let Winnie in. He is instantly at my side, nudging my hand. When I look down at him, I smile. I’m so glad I found him, he’s exactly what I needed in my life.

If Dalton could do one thing right, it would be to shut up and leave.

But this isn’t a perfect world, so really I shouldn’t be surprised when he ruins the moment.

“It’s outbursts like this that are the reason I pulled away. You always blow everything out of proportion.” He laughs. “You know what? I’m glad it’s over. It honestly should have happened sooner. But I found some satisfaction in doing this behind your back and you had no idea.”

My head snaps in his direction at his confession. I stand in utter disbelief of the words that came out of his mouth. This isn’t the Dalton I fell in love with. Hell, this isn’t even the Dalton I have shared a life with over all these years.

The man standing in front of me is a complete stranger.

Taking a deep breath, I look back up to him, and it’s like a weight has been lifted. As much as what he said hurts, it was exactly what I needed to hear. “Just get out.”

“Gladly.” He turns and stomps out the door, slamming it so hard, it rattles.

I sit back down on the couch and take a minute to just breathe.

Staring across the living room, I take a moment to let everything sink in that’s just happened over the last hour.

The break-up sucked initially, but I like to think I was making the steps to move forward.

I should have known there was another shoe to drop.

Because why wouldn’t there be? A sardonic laugh bubbles past my mouth as I think about everything.

Then I feel a nudge at my hand and I look down at Winnie who had jumped up on the couch and laid down next to me, with a concerned, but love-filled, look on his face.

“It’s okay Winnie boy. We won’t be seeing that man again, I promise.

” I lean down and kiss the top of his head.

Clearly, that was noted as an invitation to also receive kisses too, because he bounced up quickly and began licking my face.

I laugh, and lightly push him away so I can breathe.

“Okay buddy that’s enough. Let's get some supper.”