Page 105 of Nailing Heat

“You acted like Dad,” Amy says quietly.

I know I did. That is probably what they were all thinking when I told them. That I’m exactly like my father. I cheated on my wife, the very same way that he cheated on my mom. And then he walked out on us, and no one has seen him since. It’sprobably why all my sisters are dating the men they are with, not married to them. I proved them right about what they think all men are like. And I’m the one they thought wouldn’t be capable of hurting a woman, considering they raised me to do better.

“I know I did. And I’m sorry for that. If I could undo it, I would. But I can’t. I’m hoping you will find a way to forgive me for the sleazy, shitty things that I did to my wife.”

“We will eventually, it’s hard to imagine that you would do such a thing,” Meg says, sighing heavily.

“Can we get back to the fact that Dex had to deal with Elise meeting this new girlfriend? I want to hear about that!” Jo calls out.

“I wanna know how you could have a girlfriend so soon after your divorce. Are you sure you were ready for something like that?” Amy asks me.

I scratch the back of my neck, “Let me tell you about Elise first.” I go into the details about Elise showing up. “She wasn’t very kind to her at first, but Amelia apologized for sleeping with her husband. Even thought it was only a formality because I signed most of the papers?—”

Amy cuts me off. “No, that’s not what that word means. It wasn’t a formality. In the eyes of the law, you were still married because you couldn’t be bothered to check your work. I tell my students to do it all the time.”

“Yeah, okay, so I forgot to do something, and she did try to get in touch with me. But I ignored her because I was afraid that she was trying to make me feel guiltier about what I did to her. Or that she was calling because she was lonely.”

“Gross, Dex, no one wants to hear about your booty calls,” Amy says, the distaste thick in her voice.

“Well, either way, she came here and blew up my spot. But I did actually apologize to Elise for how I treated her,” I admit to them, feeling ashamed that it took me so long. “Elise actually saidshe accepted my apology. Hopefully that helps us both move forward.

“That’s good, honey. I’m glad you two finally had a chance to get some closure,” Mom tells me.

“Now, back to this girl. So, Elise scared her off?” Meg asks me.

“Yeah, she did.”

“Have you tried to talk to her?” Meg asks, I the annoyance growing in her voice.

“She doesn’t want to talk to me. She kicked me out and wouldn’t even let me pack up my own stuff.”

“But she said she loved you too, right?” Jo confirms.

“She did, yes. I mean, I said it first, but yeah, she said it back.”

“Right away?”

“Yes, right away,” I tell Jo.

“Then maybe you should have fought for her a bit more instead of rolling over and playing dead,” Meg chimes in.

“Yeah, like what the hell?” Amy asks. “You put more effort into wrecking your marriage then you did fighting for this girl. Why is that, Dex?”

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. I hate that she’s right. “Yeah, I didn’t think of it like that.”

“Which is why you are calling us for advice!” Meg says triumphantly, like she’s waiting for her door prize.

“Yes, I need you to tell me what I should do.”

“I think you should try talking to her, but you’re going to have to prepare yourself because she may not want to talk to you,” Jo says, and then adds, “But you said she was injured, right? Maybe start there, try being there for her during that. Help her recover.”

“She requested a new trainer for her PT,” I tell them.

“Why are you a trainer again? I mean, you went to school to be a PA, how is that the same thing!” Meg asks, yet again. It was hard for her to get that concept when I told them I was moving. She felt like it was a step down.

“Because that’s what August had open. I might work for anorthopedic clinic when the Blaze is in the off-season. Give me something to do, or to supplement,” I tell them. I did talk to Dr. Haldman about it earlier this week and it sounds like something he can help me with. “Which might be good because if she doesn’t agree to at least hear me out, I may need a new job.”

“Wow!” I hear Jo call out.