Page 73 of The Truths We Find

Part of me thinks I should answer the next time he calls. Finally let him hear exactly what I’ve been holding back. Alexa says I need to, and maybe she’s right.

Would it actually change anything?

Yes, we’re over. Yes, I’m still angry. But the last thing I want is to be the voice in his head when he’s overseas, in the middle of something dangerous. If my anger followed him into that, if it distracted him for even a second and something happened… I don’t think I could live with that.

God, I hate this about myself—this instinct to protect him, even now.

As if the universe is laughing at my inner struggle, my phone vibrates on my work desk. It’s an unknown private number calling.

It can only be one person. Sam.

Fuck it. Let’s get this over with.

“Hello?” I keep my voice light.

“About damn time you answered.”

Oh, he’s angry.

I clutch my phone tighter and weave my way out of the newsroom, heading down the hall to an empty editing suite. The last thing I need is an audience for whatever this is about to turn into.

“I’ve been busy,” I say evenly. “And if you remember our last conversation, I was pretty clear we’d talk when you got back. So, I’m not sure why you’re surprised I didn’t answer.”

“I should be able to talk to my girlfriend whenever I want.”

Girlfriend?

The word is disorienting.

“Sam,” I say carefully with every ounce of restraint. “Do you not remember our call two weeks ago? We broke up.”

“D, it was a fight,” he scoffs. “We’re not broken up. You and I have too much history. I’m sorry I forgot about your little thing. It won’t happen again. So, did you win?”

Little thing.

Something in me snaps.

“And that…” My voice is suddenly ice-cold. “Is exactly why we are done. So fucking done I can’t even count the ways.”

“Dani—”

“No.” I cut him off, my pulse roaring in my ears. “This entire relationship has been about you. I told you that on our last call. But clearly, you didn’t hear a single word.”

I pace the small room. My anger keeping me going.

“If you had bothered to listen, you would know that little thing you’re talking about was an Emmy Award.” I can’t hold back the fury in my tone. “And yes. I won. I won a fucking Emmy.”

The silence on the other end is deafening.

“Do you even know what story Alexa and I broke our backs on to earn it?” I don’t wait for him to respond. “Of course you don’t.”

I keep going, years of being minimized pouring out.

“We made a massive breakthrough in the Robert Tate scandal. We did that. And if everything goes the way it should, that investigation is going to help put him away for good. So, take your little thing and shove it up your ass.”

The rush of relief hits immediately. God, why didn’t I do this sooner?

“You were… you were looking into Tate?” Sam finally says, his voice flat.