Page 14 of Shattered Dreams

And because I’m me, I can’t help it that I put my damn foot in my mouth.

“Or a boyfriend.”

Amelia’s gaze softens, and I can’t not hear the jealousy in my voice. Though it’s not that I’m jealous of Amelia dating someone else, I am a little jealous because she makes it seem so easy. It should be easy, Paul. You’ve never had a problem dating people before…

Before Maddox changed my life.

Amelia, of course, doesn’t miss a beat. She knows me better than most people . Maybe the only person who knows me better than her is Dre—and he also calls me out on my shit. Always has.

“Sorry,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” she says with a shrug. “I get it. It’s still new and we’re figuring things out.”

I don’t say anything to that, because I don’t know what to say.

“You know…” She crosses her arms, glancing back at me with familiar warmth. “One of my co-workers just got out of a relationship,” she says carefully.

I close my eyes and let out a sigh. She always does this, and I know she means well.

“Pretty sure she isn’t looking for anything serious, but—”

I shake my head. “No.”

It’s a simple word, a simple answer, but I hear the disdain, the bitterness in that one word that no one will ever understand. I don’t want hookups or casual situationships. That worked out so well the last time, and Amelia of all people should understand, but yet… here we are.

“Paul…” She sighs.

“I’m not interested, Amelia,” I say as I move away from her, heading towards my driver’s side.

Maybe I’m just meant to be alone.

“I’m just trying to help,” she says, her voice tinged with defeat.

I hate it. I do my best to ignore it.

“I’m not your problem to worry about anymore. So don’t, okay? I’m a big boy, Amelia. I’m fine.” I implore her with my gaze, needing her to understand.

“I will always worry about you, Paul,” she says softly, nudging my arm. “You know that. Can’t help it.”

I look back at her, and for a moment we stay like that, looking at each other over the hood of my car, on opposite sides.

“I know,” I say with a deep sigh.

“Monday night should be good. You two boys have fun, okay?” she says a little louder, knocking on Maddox’s window. Maddox tells her goodbye, promising he’ll be a good boy.

“I’ll call you later when I get in, okay?” she says, stepping backward.

I nod as I open my driver’s side door.

“Uh-huh.”

When I get in the car, Maddox doesn’t say a word because he’s too engrossed in his game, and I don’t bother him. Not until we pull up to Andre’s new place.

When we pull up to Andre’s place, it’s chaos. There are several moving trucks, furniture trucks, and movers lifting and transporting stuff.

Maddox groans as I open his door.

“We won’t be long, I promise, okay?”