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“Maybe you should have called first.”
He ran a hand over his bearded jaw. “Tiffany, you’re right. I’m sorry. I truly am. At the time I was only concerned about you worrying about me and there being nothing you can do. Involving you at that point had no upside.”
She pushed past him and strode toward the front door. She held it open and waited.
“What are you doing?” he said from behind her.
“I’ll see you later, Ivan. It’s obvious we’re just going in circles, and quite frankly, I’m exhausted. I think we need to regroup later.”
Ivan stood there. “Are you serious right now?”
“Have you heard a word I’ve said since you arrived?”
A muscle ticked in Ivan’s jaw. “Maybe you’re right. This wasn’t the reunion either of us was hoping for. We both need to get some sleep and regroup in the morning. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Fine.”
“Good night, Tiffany,” he said, and then strode past her.
Tiffany slammed the door. Seconds later, she backed up. She was so angry, she was shaking. Unable to sit still any longer, Tiffany went to grab her purse and car keys. She hit the lights and left without a backward glance. She needed to blow off some steam, and sitting around crying wasn’t cutting it.
*
Ivan sat up in his bed. The movement caused him to grit his teeth. He was in pain, but wasn’t about to take the medication a doctor had prescribed. He felt like crap, but he would deal with it. After a restless night, and replaying his conversation with Tiffany in his head, he had to admit that he had handled the situation badly.
“Dude, you look like you’ve been stomped on and left for dead.”
Ivan glanced up to see his brother walking into his bedroom.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see you, but why are you here? I thought you went to Tiffany’s last night.” Cole looked over at the closed bathroom door. “Am I interrupting?”
“No. Tiffany’s not here. I came home last night.”
“Uh…why?”
“We had a disagreement,” Ivan ground out. “I don’t know what the hell happened. One minute we were happy, and the next she was railing on me for not telling her about getting hurt.”
“Can you blame her?” Cole reasoned. “Ivan, you should’ve seen Tiffany’s face when I let it slip that you’d been hurt. She was floored.”
Ivan sighed heavily. “I know. I just didn’t want to worry her. I figured I’d tell her about it when I got here. There was nothing she could do about it, and I was on the mend.”
“I don’t think that was her point, big brother.”
“I know.”
“This is her first time dealing with your crazy schedule, Ivan. Her worst fears are realized when she finds out you’ve been hurt, and then you tell her it’s none of her business?”
“I didn’t say it like that. I was there and she was here, and I didn’t want her worrying needlessly, Cole.”
“Look, all I’m saying is that your family is used to how you operate, and the demands of your career. Your girlfriend,” he stressed, “is not.”
Ivan was thoughtful. Finally he said, “I get it.” He nodded at Cole. “Thanks.”
“You’re welc
ome. Now, I suggest you try to get some sleep, then take a long shower, a much-needed shave, and get your head on straight before you see Tiffany again. No offense, big brother, but you look kinda shabby.”
