“I'm not giving up on us.” He pauses at the door. “I know I hurt you, and I know I have a lot to make up for. But I'm going to prove to you that I've changed, even if it takes the rest of my life.”
“Please leave.”
He finally leaves
I set down the phone and sink into my chair, my legs suddenly unable to support me. My hands are shaking, but it’s not from fear. It’s from the sheer audacity of what just happened. He flew to New York and talked his way into a secure facility.
He ambushed me at my workplace.
This isn't a man who has changed. This is a man who thinks the rules don't apply to him.
I grab my cell phone and dial my father's number. He answers on the second ring.
“Natalie? Is everything all right?”
“Brody was just here.” The words come out in a rush. “At my office in the arena. He somehow got past security and showed up at my door.”
“He did what?” Dad asks in an incredulous voice.
“He gave me some speech about being a changed man and how he's not leaving New York until I talk to him.” I run my free hand through my hair. “Dad, I don't know what to do. He's not going to stop.”
“Listen to me.” My father's voice is calm but firm. “You have every right to refuse contact with him. If he continues to harass you, we'll get a restraining order.”
“Mom gave him my number again. That's how this started.”
“I know. I've already spoken to her about it. “ He sighs heavily. “Your mother has her blind spots, but I've made it clear that if she continues to facilitate contact between you and Brody, there will be consequences.”
“What kind of consequences?”
“The kind that involves separate bedrooms and canceled credit cards.” His tone is dry. “She's gotten the message.”
I laugh. “Thank you, Dad.”
“I'm also going to call Brody myself. Man to man. I'll make it very clear that his behavior is unacceptable and that any further attempts to contact you will result in legal action.”
We talk for a few more minutes before I have to go. My session with Ethan starts in twenty minutes, and I need to compose myself.
I check my reflection in the small mirror I keep in my desk drawer. My eyes are a little too bright, and there's tension in my jaw, but otherwise I look normal.
The treatment room door is already open when I arrive. Ethan is inside, scrolling through his phone, but he shoves it in his pocket the moment he sees me.
“Come here.”
I step between his legs, and his arms circle my waist, drawing me close. I sink into him, letting his warmth chase away the cold that Brody's visit left behind.
“I've been thinking about you all day,” he says.
I chuckle despite the butterflies I feel. “It’s only two o'clock.”
“Exactly. All day.” He kisses me before pulling away to brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You're my favorite person, you know that?”
“You're pretty high on my list, too.”
He grins and releases me. “Alright, boss lady. Make me suffer.”
The session goes well, all things considered. Ethan is in a good mood, cracking jokes and pushing himself harder than usual. When I tell him about Ken's assessment and about the possibility of light skating soon, his whole face lights up.
“You're serious?”
