Page 111 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

“No Ce.” I blew out a breath. “Dad punched Gavin.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Yeah, and Gavin is threatening to press charges if I don’t talk to him.”

“That bastard. What is his problem?”

I laid my head back against the seat. “I should be home in a few hours. Gavin said he’d return in the morning at ten. Do you think you could come to my house so I don’t have to face him alone?”

“Of course. I’m here for you.”

“I know, but the store...”

“Is not as important as my best friend. I’ve been thinking of opening a little later a few days a week, anyway.”

“You’re the best friend ever.”

“I am. Aren’t I?” She chuckled. Knowing I had someone who was always there for me had me smiling.

“You are. I love you so much,” I yawned. The stress of the night was weighing down on me, and I wanted to give in to the exhaustion.

“I love you too, Lil. I’ll let you go. Call me if you need me at your house sooner.”

“I will.”

We said our goodbyes, and I set the phone on the seat beside me. I felt better after talking to my friend, but I still couldn’t shake the hollow feeling in my stomach. Everything I worked for was about to blow up in my face tomorrow, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

My phone vibrated, signaling a message. Cece was probably giving me a pep talk or sending me a funny meme. When I saw the name on the screen, my finger paused in the middle of swiping. What did Jaxon want? I wanted to ignore him, but morbid curiosity had me unlock my phone to see what he had to say.

More messages pinged as I tapped on his name at the top of my screen.

Jaxon: Lily, please come back.

Jaxon: It’s not what you think. Please call me so I can explain.

Jaxon: Are you okay? I heard something happened to your dad. Can I help?

Jess even joined in on messaging me. I regretted giving her my number.

Jess: I’m so sorry we hurt you. I promise it’s not what you think. Please call one of us so we can explain.

Not what I think? They’d admitted they were engaged. I couldn’t deal with them messaging me non-stop, not if I wanted to move on from this. To keep from having to hear from them, I silenced my phone. My heart was breaking, and I was barely holding myself together. I didn’t need reminders of my foolishness.

I’d been so happy with Jaxon. Everything felt magical between us. Now, it was like all those moments that made it so perfect were shattered, leaving the shards of my love laying at my feet mocking me. It was ridiculous to think of how enamored I was with him.

My throat burned from unshed tears. It was all a fantasy. Believing he saw me for who I was, and wanted me anyway. I’d let him see all of me. I’d let him see how smart I was. And to him I was a joke, a way to pass time. Was I so desperate for someone to care for me I completely ignored the warning signs?

How had I been such a fool? Both of them had lied to my face, and I believed them. I wanted so badly to imagine that someone liked me for me. That being smart wasn’t a detriment but a lovely part of my personality. That the inner critic who told me I was destined to be alone was wrong.

Instead, I was like the stupid, insipid side character that everyone laughed about behind their back because they couldn’t see what was in front of them all along. I was such an idiot this whole time. It seemed ridiculous now that I’d thought I was falling in love with Jaxon or that he might return my feelings.

I rubbed at my forehead, wincing at the pain building there and in my jaw. I was going to have a doozy of a headache if I didn’t at least try to rest.

I texted Angela to let her know I’d find a way to get Patches and my things, but I wasn’t coming back. When she tried to talk to me about what happened, I told her to stop. I wasn’t ready to hear her advice no matter how well-meaning it was.

***

THE DOORBELL RANG JUSTbefore 9:30 a.m. I opened it expecting the prick, Gavin, to be there early. Instead, it was Cece who drew me into a bone-crushing hug.