Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“I can explain,” he stated with an air of superiority. That tone made everything worse.
“Don’t bother. I got it,” I bit out through a clenched jaw. The mix of Dash’s elitist tone and seeing Chandler’s radiant smile, along with his overall charm, had truly gotten under my skin. My words mirrored my irritation. I dismissed Dash, taking another bite of my burger that tasted like sawdust in my mouth.
“This is the reason I chose not to share this in our texts. I wanted to be in front of you to explain my reasoning.”
Then he should have come home and told me not to sneak around, ignoring my feelings. Fuck this. What had I done so wrong to have this be my life these days? “I don’t want to hear it,” I said, pulling my meal together to dump in the trash can. “We barely talk anymore. You’re never home. I’m living my life alone…”
Dash barked out a harsh condescending laugh. “You work from early in the morning until dark. Then pick up extra shifts on top of that. And let’s not forget the twenty plus hours a week that you train to climb. When I’m at home, you’re never there.”
“It’s my fault that I found other things to do rather than waiting for you to find time for me? I’m not staying here for this.” I rammed the remainder of my burger and fries back into the paper bag, so hard that the bottom gave out, everything inside dropped to the floor. “Goddammit.”
“Beau,” Dash said with exaggerated patience and carefully pulled up his slacks before bending at the knee to help me gather the trash.
“No. Stop,” I said, pushing his hands aside. Out of necessity, I had learned to live my life on my own. I refused to be manipulated for a single second more. My feelings and emotions were valid, especially where Chandler was concerned. “If you had ever mentioned you were going to be home, I would’ve gone straight there. I’ve only found other things to occupy my time because I’m tired of being in that over-the-top house by myself. I love you, I do, but this place…” My hand gestured about the room then splayed further to include the outside of his office. “Owns you. There’s not a single instance where you’d drop what you were doing here to be with me. Now you’ve brought Chandler here. It feels like you’re doing this on purpose.”
Dash stood. I followed suit, moving around him to throw my trash in the bin. Tossing out the garbage seemed symbolic to the moment.
“I’m going to brush off your insults. We both know they’re untrue,” Dash stated in the flat monotone way of speaking that annoyed me further. It was one of the lawyer voices that he used to mask his true feelings and thoughts. “The real issue is Chandler. He reached out about a month ago when he couldn’t find a job. I know him well. He’ll push boundaries to find answers, just like with those photos. I offered him a temporary position, but I’ll mentor him and see how it goes. If I can shift work over to him, that’ll leave more time to spend with you.”
“Right. You’ll spend any free time finding new clients to increase your billable hours,” I said sarcastically, doubting every word he spoke. I should have been made aware of Chandler when the asshat first contacted Dash. “So he works directly for you, spending every day with you?”
“So your sole problem’s jealousy?” Dash asked, dismissively.
“Of course, I’m jealous,” I said, throwing his words back in his face. “After everything we’ve been through, it feels like we’ve gone full circle. He spends all this time with you, and I’m left with none.” We glared at each other. Great. I’d hit the nail on the head. At least Dash didn’t try to lie his way out of the truth. “I’ve got to get to the airport.”
“Your flight doesn’t leave for hours,” Dash countered.
“Then I don’t want to be here any longer,” I stated with conviction and started for the door. “Go join Chandler and celebrate the end of the case. Train him how to celebrate wherever you go these days to party. Another place I’m no longer welcome. Whatever.”
Dash
“If you walk out of here, I won’t chase after you this time,” I said, rooting myself in place. I slipped my hands into my slacks pockets as I watched him stride across my office. “Me following you is the story of our relationship. We made a commitment to be all in to my job for ten years. Nothing has changed for me. I’m on the course that we created together. You know how I feel about you. Everything I do revolves around you.”
Beau let out a bark of laughter with his hand on the doorknob. “You’re lying,” he hissed sharply. “And you’re being used. Chandler’s here to report back to your family about how you’re doing.” He rolled his eyes so dramatically I feared they might disappear in his skull. “I’ll be back in two weeks. During that time, I want you to rethink what you just said to me, because I can assure you that we didn’t plan anything together. Our lives have always been on your terms.” In Beau’s way, he flung open the door and took long, bruting strides out of my office toward the elevators. He ignored the few acknowledgements he received on his way.