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Dario hesitated. “No, not really. He just got kind of intense about wanting me back. Kept grabbing my arm. But I’m okay.”
Anger flared inside Sanjay. That bastard had clearly scared Dario, whether his friend wanted to admit it or not.
“I’m coming over,” Sanjay said, grabbing his keys. “We can order takeout and watch movies like old times.”
Just like that, Sanjay’s exhaustion was gone.
“You don’t have to...”
“Yes, I do. You shouldn’t be alone tonight. Not after dealing with that jerk.” Sanjay was already out the door, locking up behind him. “I’ll pick up some ice cream too. Chocolate therapy, right?”
Dario let out a small laugh. “Right. Okay, see you soon.”
Sanjay jumped into his car, gravel spewing as he tore out of the parking lot. Trenton had always rubbed him the wrong way, even before he started dating Dario. The hyena shifter just had that bullying, arrogant air about him.
And now it seemed Trenton wasn’t ready to let Dario go. Well, Sanjay wasn’t about to let that asshole torment his friend. If Trenton showed his face again, he’d regret it.
As soon as he walked into Dario’s house, he asked, “What else did that asshole say?”
Dario sighed. “He said he wants me back. Claims he’s changed. But I don’t believe him.”
Sanjay was glad Dario wasn’t falling for Trenton’s lies. “You’re absolutely right not to believe him. Abusers like Trenton don’t change overnight. Or ever, really.”
Sanjay should know. He’d dated a guy four years ago who was just like Trenton. At first, Sanjay had believed Matt’s lies. Had bought into the whole “I’ve changed” speech. It had taken every ounce of willpower and self-love he possessed for Sanjay to wake up and realize what kind of man Matt truly was.
Some people either didn’t see the signs or chose to ignore them. Sanjay had been the latter. Now his friend was going through the same bullshit, and hell if Sanjay was going to simply stand by and let Trenton treat Dario that way.
“I know,” Dario said quietly from the couch. “But still, it hurt to see him. I’m not as over him as I thought.”
Damn Trenton for dredging up Dario’s pain.
His poor friend had come so far. He didn’t need Trenton’s toxicity in his life again.
Sanjay didn’t either. Dealing with Trenton only reminded him of his days with Matt.
Sanjay sat down on the couch next to Dario and put a supportive hand on his shoulder. “I know it’s hard, but you did the right thing breaking up with him. Trenton is controlling and abusive. You deserve so much better.”
Dario nodded, his eyes filled with misery. “I know. I just wish I didn’t still have feelings for him. I hate that he still has this hold over me.”
“That’s completely understandable,” Sanjay said gently. “Those feelings don’t just disappear overnight. But trust me, in time, you’ll be free of him.”
Sanjay thought back to his own experience with Matt. After their breakup, it had taken nearly a year before Sanjay had stopped missing him, stopped wishing they could be together again. But eventually, as the months passed, Matt’s hold over him weakened until, one day, Sanjay realized he felt nothing for his abusive ex anymore. Just indifference.
“Why do guys like us keep ending up with jerks like them?” Dario wondered aloud. “Are we drawn to their toxicity or something?”
Sanjay pondered that. “I don’t think it’s anything we’re doing intentionally. Abusers are just skilled at luring in people they can manipulate and control. They present this charming, attentive facade at first. By the time their real selves emerge, we’re already hooked.”
Dario nodded slowly. “Yeah, you’re right. Trenton love-bombed me, and now I’m so depressed I just want to crawl into bed and never resurface.” He looked at Sanjay. “It really hurts.”
Sanjay’s heart hurt for his friend. He knew exactly what Dario was going through.
“Can we ditch our plans and come up with a new one?” Dario asked, hopefulness in his eyes and voice.
“What do you want to do?”
“Let’s get some drinks and bar food,” Dario said then held up a hand. “I know shifters can’t get drunk, so you’ve never had a drop of alcohol, but I promise you that Fearless Fox has some amazing food. We could pig out while I drown my sorrows.”
Sanjay wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Alcohol would only numb the pain briefly. Or so he’d heard. But Dario looked like a kicked puppy, and Sanjay would do anything to bring a smile to his friend’s face.
