Page 97 of Nailing Heat

“Something like that,” I admit.

August sighs, getting up to pick up the last of the items from the bedside table. “I think I got everything. I’ll get all this stuff to him. He’s staying with me in case you want to come and ask him these questions yourself.”

“I don’t.”

“You know, that’s probably where I should have put him to begin with. Saved you all this heartache and trouble.” August comes over to me and pulls me into a side hug. “Make sure you take care of yourself. Don’t neglect your injury and the exercises that he gave you to spite him.”

“I’ll work with Lucas, and I wouldn’t dare risk my recovery because of that asshole.”

“Well, that’s good.” August picks up the last of Dex’s things. He’s been removing the items bit by bit and placing them in his SUV. Thankfully, Dex didn’t come here with much; some clothes, bedding and a few picture frames. “Take care, Amelia, and if you need anything, please let me know.”

“Thanks, August, I will.”

He nods and heads out of the room. Cassie comes back to check on me.

“You okay?” she asks, looking around at the empty room.

I spy a lone rose petal on the floor, I bend down awkwardly,trying to maneuver around the brace to pick it up. It’s beginning to wilt now. I run it through my fingers, feeling how soft it is as it slides along my fingertips.

“Yeah, fine. It’ll be nice to have this room back,” I tell her, getting up and hobbling out of the room.

I catch Cassie’s eyes widen at my comment. “I mean it, I really do.”

Cassie nods and turns, following me. “I’m sure you think you do. Give it some time, you might come to miss him or see this for what it is.”

“And what’s that?”

“An opportunity to see what it can be like when you put yourself out there.” She walks over and puts an arm around me. “It won’t always end this way, Amelia, I promise you that.”

I appreciate her saying it, but I’m not sure I believe her. Putting myself out there confirmed that I would rather cry because I’m alone than cry because I’ve been lied to.

Chapter Thirty-Four

~DEX~

Oh, how quickly someone’s world can be turned upside down. In all the ways that my relationship with Amelia could have been screwed up, Elise showing up was not on my bingo card. I can’t believe she came there and spoke to Amelia that way. Aired my dirty laundry that I never told her about.

Yes, questions had been asked about my divorce, but I was always careful with the answers. Never really giving her the real reasons for why it ended. I was ashamed of my actions and worried that if she knew that, she would react exactly as she did. And whatever it is we were building would be over. Just as it is now. She told me to leave and didn’t want to hear me out.

The only place that I could go is work. Here I am now, sitting in my office at the Blaze, wishing that I could turn back time. Change things, and maybe if I had been nicer to Elise when she came into the apartment or even picked up any one of her damned phone calls, I could have avoided all of this. But I didn’t and look where that has left me.

Alone.

Completely and utterly alone. Not that I don’t deserve it in some way, but it still stings, nonetheless. I pick up my phone,spinning it in my hand a few times before unlocking it to send a text.

Dex: Hey, are you still in town by chance?

I hit send and wait for Elise to get back to me. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long.

Elise: Yes, my flight doesn’t leave for another 4 hours.

Good, maybe we can talk.

Dex: There’s a diner near the airport; would you want to meet? Talk.

I sigh and wait for her to respond.

Elise: Sure. Give me 20.