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My phone rings on the step as I run over and grab it.
“Hey.”
“What the hell, Alex? You are not the only one with shit going on,” Jude snaps.
“I’m sorry. I was going to call right back, but you said you had class, and I had to deal with Skylar,” I snap right back as I sit on the step and look out at the beautiful day, ready to start crying again because I hate the Ohio winters, and I really want a dog.
“What is her problem?” Jude sounds like he’s walking as I hear him say, “’Sup.”
“Apparently, she hates us,me, because of Mom. Whatever, she’s the least of my problems. If anything good comes out of me coming home, it’s that I don’t ever have to see her again.” I shake my head and wave at the mail lady across the street.
“Alex, you are not coming home.” He growls.
“Yes, I am. I’m already packed. I’m through, I can’t…” I bite my lip as my voice cracks, then start crying.
“I’m a mess, and I hate cold weather, and I can barely breathe because I’ve cried so much, and I can’t—”
“Time the fuck out,” Jude yells over my rant confession. “You’re not quitting and coming back here. No fucking way. We do not quit. You’ve worked too hard. Dreamed about the beach and Southern California your whole life. Now who is this dickhead you say dumped you? I want a name?” he demands.
“I can’t tell you his name, and it doesn’t matter. He’s off limits, it’s my own fault, and I’m done. I can’t stay here, don’t you get it? My heart hurts so bad it burns. It’s like all I want to do is lean over and… try to make it better, but it doesn’t.” I yell into the phone, only to be greeted with silence.
“Great.” I look at my phone. “Jude?”
“What do you mean, he’s off limits? What is that?” His voice comes in clear as I go to open my mouth to backtrack, but can’t move or speak as a motorcycle pulls into the driveway, blocking the exit of my car.
“Holy shit.” I stand.
“What’s wrong?” Jude’s voice sounds far away as my heart skips a beat, and my face instantly flushes.
“I have to go,” I whisper, ignoring him yelling not to hang up as I absently press End and watch Brett’s long-muscled thighs in his dark suit slacks get off his bike.
Holy God, he’s here. How is he here?I swallow and try to look calm, but I’m not. Not even a little. Jesus, he’s so beautiful. Like a dark god, he walks toward me. Tan skin, starched white dress shirt, sleeves rolled up.
“Breathe, Alex.” His voice, that deep, commanding voice that makes me shiver. As I stand like a mute watching him approach me.
“Breathe.” This time, I blink and suck in air as he stops in front of me.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing here?” He takes off his sunglasses so I can see his eyes.
Ocean blue.
They stare at me, but this time, they aren’t blank. No, this time they are filled with…oh my God.
I shake my head because I needed this five days ago, not now. He doesn’t just get to walk up to me after I’ve been humiliated, slowly dying each day, and look at me like this.
My own eyes are getting blurry with tears as I suddenly break free of this spell he’s got over me and take a step back.
“No.” I shake my head. “You don’t get to do this!” I scream because I’m so angry I’m starting to shake, and all he does is cock his head and smile. His fucking dimple teases me, trying to trick me into giving him my heart again.
Not this time.
“I’m leaving.” I point at my car that’s stuffed so full clothes they are pushed up against the back window. He doesn’t look over. He just stares at me, and suddenly, I’m very aware of the full force of what Brett Powers really is.
Dangerous.
Intoxicating.
