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)
Any attempt to hide his worry fell from his face as he gave a heavy exhale. Amelia and Dash never hid the depth of what they meant to each other. Amelia being closer to him than anyone else in his family. His sorrow was palpable, taking her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “Give me time. I promise to figure this out. Until then, I’ll pay your salary. Leave your sister’s house and move in here. I’ve wanted you to for a long time.”
“I can’t be a burden to you. It’s my job to take care of you, not the other way around,” she said and opened her purse, pulling out a tissue that she’d technically needed several moments ago.
“If you stay here, your money goes farther. Stay upstairs, you’ll have a private entrance.”
In all the years I’d known both of them, I knew very little about Amelia or her life. Only that she was devoted to Dash, and Dash to her. Not that I was asked, but of course, she should live here.
“What’s goin’ on with the electricity?” I asked, interrupting the sadness between these two.
Dash sighed. “I’ve transferred all the utilities into my name. The bills come with me as the payor. The electric company said they’d turn it back on tonight. I’m not sure when,” Dash answered. He rubbed his temples with the thumb and forefinger of one hand.
“The utilities weren’t in your name?” I asked. That was different information than what I’d heard the numerous times before when I wanted to pay them.
“I believed them to be,” Dash answered, waving a hand dismissively. He refocused his attention on Amelia. “What will your family think if you decide to stay here for the foreseeable future? I can talk to them personally.”
“Dasham.” The use of his real name caught both our undivided attention. “I don’t want to be a burden to you. You’re like a son to me.” Her focus turned to me, distaste on her face. “I’ve never liked the way his mother and father treated him. Dash didn’t agree with me, but I knew they were no good.”
Her confession left Dash scrubbing his hands down his face in dismay, and perhaps agreement. “I need to catch Beau up. Give your notice that you’re moving out. Beau and I will help you move your things, whenever you’re ready.” His next words seemed designed to relieve the tension. At least they worked to alleviate the tears. “Beau has a truck and strong muscles, it’ll go fast. Are you safe to drive home tonight?”
She nodded, drawing him into a hug as he spoke to me.
“I need to secure some sort of transportation and get a new cell number.” Lines of worry creased the corners of his eyes and mouth. “We’ve also lost the landline and internet service. I haven’t had time to reconnect those. Utility companies take a long time to deal with on something pretty straight forward.”
“He took your car?” I asked.
The hug released. Amelia lowered her head, wiping away her tears. No way that single tissue could stand up against the waterfall coming from her eyes again. Without saying a word, she started for the small bathroom off the entry.
“Yes. The electricity was off when the tow truck driver arrived. He had to battle the garage door open,” Dash answered, and swiveled his neck, trying to release the strain there. He gave another deep centering breath and slow, steady exhale. The hits kept coming. My poor guy.
“You have the truck. Maybe drop me off at work in the mornin’, or is there a bus route I can take? I’ve ridden the bus before.” While Dash typically controlled his facial expressions, he couldn’t help but let them slip when he perceived I said something absurd, like right then.
“You’re not taking a bus,” Dash said sternly. “Of course, you’re not. Everything will be fine. Right now, things are complicated, but once it’s managed, we’ll be independent and done with them.”
“I’ll let you two be alone,” Amelia said. The tears had subsided, leaving behind a pair of puffy eyes as the only proof they were ever there. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning, like always.” She offered me one of her rare side hugs then embraced Dash with something more substantial. “You’re a better person than all of them combined. Your choices are the right ones. We’ll get through this together.” It was the kind of comfort only a mother could provide. She brought her face close to his. “If I need to take a second job to help pay the bills around here, I happily will.”
Oh man, that was dedication, and something Dash would never allow to happen. “I’m sorry this has affected you,” Dash said on a sigh.
I left them in the foyer to finish their private conversation and went to the bedroom, my brow furrowed in concern. My most immediate goals included a shower because it was like a furnace outside today. Then I needed time to process why I shouldn’t take off tonight. The only reason this was happening to Dash was because of me. His parents didn’t like me around. It felt irresponsible and selfish to stay, but I promised Dash I would. So how did this end?