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He closes my door and I’m off like a rocket, heading to Lee’s house.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LELAND
It’s childish, but I’ve been avoiding Blaire ever since our fallout two days ago. I took personal time off and went back to my hometown, driving out to the hotel whose roof I fell off of. It’s where my life changed ten years ago, and it seems fitting that I come back and make peace with it.
If you can call giving the finger to a building peace.
My life is fucked up. And it’s not that hotel’s fault, not my damaged body’s, or even Blaire’s bitchy mom’s. It’s all mine.
I was the one that pressed Blaire for a relationship she wasn’t ready for. She told me she couldn’t give me what I wanted and yet I pressured her until she agreed. I should have been content with a casual relationship, but I had to get greedy.
Hell, I’m still greedy. I want her. I want her more than anything else in my life.
But I can’t be selfish. She deserves a man who is whole and strong. One whose body isn’t crumbling apart from the inside out.
That’s why I didn’t let her talk or explain to me about her situation with her mom. Which I’m starting to think is where a lot of Blaire’s hang-ups come from, and she doesn’t need me being another stone around her neck, dragging her down.
I have my resignation letter, effective immediately, ready and come Monday morning, I’ll put it in. There’s no way I cancontinue working at Breathe Better, see her every day and not want to beg her for another chance. And Blaire’s so good, she would give it to me.
Sadly, I can’t get out of overseeing the breakfast brunch or the charity golf tournament. I’ve fielded her calls for the past two days, but I can’t avoid her today.
Though maybe I don’t need to, as Blaire seems to go out of her way to avoid me.
Helplessly, I watch her from across the room. I should work the room as well, yet I can’t seem to summon up the energy. Besides, what is the board going to do- Fire me?
The lavender dress clings to her body in ways that should be illegal while her long red hair, a cascade of curls, swirls around her shoulders. Her grace and poise seem effortless as she moves around the room smiling and socializing and no doubt getting further pledges of donations for the nonprofit.
She grew up in this world and it suits her. Far better than I ever could.
As brunch winds down, it’s time to get things lined up for the golf tournament. The entire Breathe Better staff is here today to ensure our part of things goes smoothly, but thankfully the staff here at the club effortlessly go about things leaving little for us to worry about.
Nonetheless, I’m headed to the clubhouse. I’m halfway across the floor when my crutch skids over a glossy spot and for a wild moment I teeter like those old wobbly children’s toys.
Sadly, my upper body is far stronger and obviously heavier than my lower and gravity cruelly sends me toppling to the ground.
Shocked cries fill my ears as I lay there and try to get my bearings. Then an angel is leaning over me, her red hair smacking me in the face.
“Blaire,” I breathe, reaching up a hand to cup her cheek.
Her green eyes are bright with concern as hands lift me up. “Careful!” she snaps, and I grin like a fool.
“We have a wheelchair. Does he need an ambulance?” A voice calls out.
“I don’t need an ambulance,” I say, embarrassed at how shaky my voice sounds. Though I do let them lower me into the saggy seat of an old wheelchair because my right hip hurts like a bitch and I honestly don’t know if I can make to a seat using my crutches.
People hover around me, clearly uncertain what to do, but I have eyes only for Blaire, who’s deep in conversation with Savannah. Both girls nod and then Savannah comes over to me. “Don’t worry about a thing, Leland. We got this in hand, and Blaire’s going to take care of you.”
But maybe I don’t want Blaire taking care of me, as she roughly grabs the wheelchair’s handles and charges out of the room with me, speeding toward the main entranceway. “If you won’t let us call an ambulance then I’ll drive you to the hospital myself,” she says.
“I don’t need an ambulance or the hospital. Just a few hours in bed and my pain pills and I’ll be fine.”
Her low growl fills the air and if I wasn’t in pain, I would be getting turned on right now by that throaty sound. I’m tempted to tell her that when she stops the chair abruptly and comes around to crouch over me, her hands on the armrests as she leans over, putting her face directly in line with me. “Stop being so stubborn, you ass!”
Gritting through the pain, I manage a shaky grin. “I’ve learned from the best.”
With a huff, she straightens and holds out her palm. “Give me your keys,” she demands.
