Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
AUDREY
Dallas maneuvered through traffic easily.
I looked out the window, watching the mad cluster of traffic outside of New York City.
We were crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge and would be exiting off to head into downtown Manhattan soon.
The energy of the city pulsed, even from simply being in traffic on the outskirts.
Dallas seemed unfazed by the madness and drove with calm assertiveness.
I didn't know what to think that he was coming with me to help me move out of the apartment I’d shared with Matthew.
To be honest, I didn't know what to think of anything related to Dallas anymore.
Things just kept happening. Well, to be specific, sex just kept happening.
We didn't talk about it, but every night, we tumbled into bed together.
During the days, he was often on his phone, working on his computer, and even participating in online conference calls.
I wasn’t sure how he could call this time a vacation.
I kept myself busy visiting a few old friends in Haven’s Bay and going through things in the house.
I’d made arrangements for Sherry to take care of Molly while we were gone.
The drive to New York was fairly uneventful.
Thea had called ahead and said she’d let Matthew know we were coming by.
I couldn’t seem to banish the anxiety over encountering him again.
I didn’t know if he’d be there, or not, but I figured he’d be spoiling for an argument if he was.
It was strange to be spending this much time with Dallas.
I’d stuffed my old fantasies about him so far into the distant reaches of my mind, I'd forgotten how alluring he was.
With his dark hair, those deep blue eyes, and a body to die for, I was falling deeper and deeper into my fantasies about him.
They weren't quite like the fantasies I had when I was younger.
Back then, my fantasies were silly and vague.
Now I had something real to hang them on.
Sex with him was incredible, so crazy good just thinking about it made me wet.
I kept thinking it would get less amazing.
No such luck. Just now, I shifted in my seat, a little sore from last night.
Not much later, I directed Dallas into the parking garage.
I rarely drove when I lived in New York, but the apartment building had a garage.
I hoped against hope that Matthew's car wouldn't be in his assigned parking spot, and he would've had enough sense to stay away.
Of course not. I should've known better.
I didn't know if Thea had mentioned Dallas would be with me.
Anxiety coiled in my belly, followed by a flash of anger.
I didn't want to deal with Matthew. Ever since Dallas had blocked the other number he'd called from, I'd had enough sense not to answer calls from any unknown numbers.
When we stood outside the doorway, I hesitated, considering whether I should knock. I looked to Dallas, and he shook his head. He was so perceptive sometimes it was disconcerting.
“Don't knock. It's your apartment until you move out. After today, you’d have to knock,” he said with a roll of his eyes.
I slid the key into the lock and let myself in. By New York City standards, we had a large apartment. By most standards, we had a tiny apartment. Just a living room and a kitchen with a short hallway that led to a bedroom and bathroom.
Matthew came walking down the hall. His eyes widened slightly and then narrowed when he saw Dallas.
Matthew’s dark blonde hair was rumpled and his eyes were tired, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well.
I wondered if he was still keeping himself busy with Alyssa.
For his sake, I hoped so. Not because I gave a damn about her, but he might as well get something out of screwing me over.
The thought made me recoil slightly inside.
I wasn't upset at losing Matthew, but I was bitter about the way things played out.
Being betrayed by two people at once definitely sucked.
Matthew started to say something when there was a sharp knock on the door. “It's me, Thea!”
I turned to answer the door.
“What are you doing?” Matthew asked.
“I'm answering the door. What does it look like I’m doing?”
“This isn't your place anymore,” Matthew countered, his tone sullen.
Dallas arched a brow, his eyes narrowing. “It's her place until her stuff is out of here,” he said sharply.
Part of me savored Dallas’ protectiveness.
Matthew’s eyes narrowed and his cheeks reddened slightly. With a roll of his eyes, he said, “Whatever.”
I opened the door, letting Thea in. She squealed when she saw Dallas. “Dallas! I'm so glad you're here.”
She flung her arms around him, and Dallas pulled her close with a wry smile.
Thea had the same almost black hair and blue eyes a shade lighter than his.
I’d forgotten how alike they were. Her personality was such a contrast. She was bubbly to his somber strength.
My heart squeezed, a wave of emotion rocking me.
It was always good to see my best friend, yet this emotion stemmed from seeing Dallas with her.
It was as if every facet of him sharpened for me—those qualities that could seem hidden because of his tendency to be reserved.
His warmth, his humor, how much family mattered to him—Thea brought all of those things to the surface, making my heart nearly ache for how much I wanted him.
Hours later, I returned to Matthew’s apartment one last time to do a last walk through.
Dallas was getting boxes organized in the back of his SUV.
Thea had just left with a small load she was dropping off at her storage space.
Since I didn’t have any furniture, it hadn’t been too challenging today.
I had no plan for where I would go, but I would have the next few weeks to figure that out.
When I stepped back into the apartment, Matthew was on his phone.
I did a quick check, confirming there was nothing left.
I paused for a moment in the bedroom, recalling the last time I’d been here.
Shock had rocked me when I’d opened the door to see Alyssa straddling Matthew.
I swallowed the bitter aftertaste that rose in my throat.
No matter that their shared betrayal of me had ended what I never should have started, it hurt.
It was so embarrassing and just awful. Yet, his betrayal had served as the flashpoint I needed to act on what I’d already known.
Matthew hadn't lifted a finger today. Not that I’d expected his help.
He’d sat sullenly on the couch, flipping through channels on the television for the few hours I was packing with Dallas and Thea’s help.
No matter my mixed feelings about Dallas, I was relieved to have him here.
I sensed Matthew might have tried to push the envelope more if it had been just Thea with me.
I walked down the hallway, pausing by the door.
Matthew looked up. When he noticed no one was with me, he stood, walking straight up to me. “What the fuck is going on with you and Dallas?”
Anger flashed inside. I didn't want to talk with Matthew, much less discuss anything to do with Dallas. Maybe it was a rebound, maybe it was a lot of things, but it was none of Matthew’s business. He’d forfeited that when he screwed around on me.
“You don't have any right to ask! Matthew, you’ve been fucking Alyssa for how long now? Why don’t you just go ahead and come clean about it?” I asked, annoyed and irritated.
“Fuck you, Audrey. It didn’t have to be a big deal. I fucked up. You're the one who’s turning it into a big deal.”
“Oh my God, Matthew. I can't believe you.
You were fucking my friend! She was supposed to be one of my bridesmaids.
No matter what you think, what you did was shitty.
Honestly, I'm relieved. We should've broken up sooner. You know it, and I know it. That's why you were fucking her. I wish you’d just had the nerve to tell me you were ready to move on.”
Matthew snorted something, and then I heard the door swing open. Inside of a second, Dallas was at my side, his eyes locked to Matthew. Matthew glared at him.
“What the fuck, Audrey? Is he your bodyguard now?”
“Matthew, shut up.”
Dallas was quiet, too quiet. He was coiled tight, energy coming off of him in waves.
“Just leave it alone, Matthew. Leave me alone,” I said, shaking my head. I quickly pulled the apartment key out of my pocket and set it on the counter. “We can consider this goodbye, Matthew. No matter how pissed I am at the fact you screwed one of my friends, I think it's for the best.”
Matthew muttered something and turned to Dallas. “So you're fucking her, aren't you?”
Before I could react, Dallas had Matthew by the collar and lifted him off the floor. “It doesn't matter if I am. You don't talk to her like that. You have no fucking right. You're an idiot, and it's your loss,” Dallas said, his tone low and laced with danger.
If Matthew meant to say something, he didn't. Dallas was clearly furious. I knew it wouldn’t be a fair fight if there were one.
Dallas had an edge to him. That edge turned me on and always had.
It was subtle, but there was a depth to Dallas that few men shared.
Matthew was nothing compared to him. He was all surface and gloss.
Matthew muttered something and then Dallas flung him away, turning and grabbing my hand.
“We're going,” he said firmly.