Page 145 of Lost Trust

The thought of them waiting for me puts a little bit of warmth back in my chest.

I grab my phone from my back pocket as I lead Rowdy toward the stalls. I should call Royce and let him know I’ll be on my way as soon as I get Rowdy settled and brushed down.

But when I wake my phone, my steps stop.

Twelve missed calls.

Several text messages.

My stomach drops.

For one horrible second, all I can think is Ryder. Something happened.

I swipe into my call log, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Blaze.

Every single missed call is from my ex. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. Then I open the first text.

Blaze: Where are you?

The next.

Blaze: Marina, the condo complex called about a realtor blocking someone’s parking space.

Another.

Blaze: Why aren’t you answering your fucking phone?

I stare at the screen for a long second before typing.

Me: I was working. I’m tired. I’ll call you tomorrow.

Three dots appear almost immediately.

Blaze: Working? Where?

My jaw tightens.

Me: Not really any of your business.

His response comes back instantly.

Blaze: You moved with my kid without telling me. That is my fucking business!

I close my eyes.

Me: We’ll talk tomorrow.

Blaze: I’m calling now. Pick up the damn phone.

The phone starts vibrating in my hand. I lean my back against the stall door. I could ignore him. God knows I want to. But if I don’t answer, he’ll keep calling. And I’m too damn tired to listen to my phone buzz all night.

I accept the call.

“What the fuck, Marina?” he demands before I can say hello. “I signed the condo over to you so you and Ryder would have a place to live. Why are you selling it?”

I take a slow breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “Because we needed to downsize.”