Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“ A ll I need is within me,” I said to my reflection in the mirror Sunday morning. My eyes narrowed. As if.
I spent the morning drafting a letter to HR at work, letting them know I was filing for a restraining order against Gerry. My stomach churned, and I stood up from the desk to pace around my room. My boss, Valerie, would not offer me sympathy—she might use it as an excuse to shove me out the door.
A direct message popped up on my phone. From Brad. I sat down.
Brad
Hey, I’m in River Gorge. Can you meet up today?
I tapped on my chest and spun around in the office chair. Dominic wouldn’t like it—which sort of made me want to do it more. My feet landed on the floor.
Me
I’ll be downtown in thirty. Care for a walk?
We met at the waterfront park. Brad was in an orange and black plaid shirt and dark blue jeans, standing by a tree with his hands in his pockets, facing the water as I walked up behind him. He’d put on some weight and a lot of muscle.
“Brad?”
He whipped around, a big smile breaking out on his bearded face. “Kelsey. Damn, you only got prettier.”
My cheeks heated. “Thanks. How are you?”
“Good.” He rocked back on his heels. “Nice to get off the farm for a change. How are you?”
“I’m okay. Want to walk for a bit?”
“Yeah, sure. You always did like walking.”
I shoved my hands in my coat pockets as a cold breeze hit us from the water. Brad seemed…like a different person. The shy, lanky teenager was gone, replaced by a burly man with an easy smile. “How’s the farm?”
He blew out his breath. “It’s good. But every year still feels like a gamble. Glad we got the last field in before the rain hit. I’ve got a dog now. He keeps me company on the tractor.”
“What kind?”
“A lab.” He grinned at me. “Wanna see a photo?”
“Yes.”
We stepped to the side of the path and huddled over his phone. A big chocolate brown Labrador sat on its haunches with a pink tongue hanging out of its mouth. Brad’s arm brushed mine and I could pick up his scent—hay and engine grease and soap.
“Can’t believe he’s already seven.” Brad swiped the screen and showed me a selfie he’d taken of himself on a tractor with the dog next to him.
I tried to keep myself in the moment and really notice the man next to me. Part of me wished I hadn’t come. It was like I was dragging around a storm cloud. “What’s his name?”
“Spud. What about you? Any animals?”
“No.” I sighed—I’d missed having an animal for a long time. Gerry hadn’t wanted the mess. “Glad at the moment since I’m moving.” I stepped back onto the path, and he followed.
“How’s that going?”
“Not great.” I summoned a smile for him. “Are breakups ever easy?”
“Ours wasn’t too bad.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve had some doozies, though.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Almost got married.” He pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Then we figured out we couldn’t live together. You ever worry we just ain’t as…patient as our parents?” He huffed, shaking his head.
I nodded. “I think I know what you mean. Things have changed a lot.”
“Hey, can I buy us some coffee? I could use a warm drink.”
“Oh—”
“Sorry, was that too fast?” He turned his body to grin at me as we walked.
“No…” I swallowed. My ears were hot under my knit hat. “But I have plans with the family I’m staying with. I’m sorry.”
“Right—no problem.”
“They’ve really helped me. And I’m…I don’t know, kind of a downer at the moment. I’m sorry. Going through a rough patch.”
His hand rested on my back, and it was warm and comforting. “Hang in there. And it was really good seeing you.”
We hugged, and my resolution wavered. Get thrown a scrap of affection, and you grovel like a starving dog . “Nice to see you too.”
I trekked back to Maria’s house, Dominic’s deep brown eyes seeming to stare at me in my mind. There hadn’t been chemistry for me with Brad. With Dominic…I wondered if that’s all we had. And yet, what was I so afraid of? He doesn’t need you, and you’ll fall for him.
Pippa greeted me with a warm hug when I arrived for Sunday dinner with the Adamos family. Mr. Adamos gave me a solemn nod when I thanked him for confronting Gerry. To my relief, football and the store Maria managed dominated the conversation.
The twins were late and rushed in after we’d already started eating.
“It’s this asshole’s fault,” said Alex, jerking his head at his brother.
“Language.” Mr. Adamos glared at both of his sons.
Alex jerked his chair out then threw himself into it. “Got kicked out of his apartment. Springs it on me when I’m there to pick him up. Just needed a few minutes to pack. Now my car is crammed with his crap.”
Pippa’s fork dropped onto her plate. “What?”
Nico shrugged, a roguish smile on his face. “The girls kicked me out. Women are ruthless.”
“What about your job?” Mr. Adamos crossed his arms.
“They let me go. Haven’t had any luck finding a new one.”
Maria passed Nico the garlic bread. “Sorry, bro.”
Nico started eating like he hadn’t had a meal in a while. Pippa had a hand over her mouth. “You’ll come home,” she said, her eyes glistening as she stared at her husband.
There was a long silence. Mr. Adamos cleared his throat. “With rules.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Nico slumped in his chair.
“You’ll work for me until you find a job. Cleaning the house, if I ask you.”
“Okay.”
Mr. Adamos rubbed his mouth jerkily with his napkin. “It’s too many people in the house. Kelsey will stay with Maria.”
Maria gasped.
“Of course,” I said quickly. “Should I move out of the room tonight?”
His forehead wrinkled, and his eyebrows drew together. Mr. Adamos glanced across the table at Pippa holding Maria’s hand. “No. Next week.”
“Dad—” Nico started to say.
“Yes. I’ll do that.” I did my best to smile at Maria and Pippa.
Maria’s chair scraped across the floor as she shoved it back and shot to her feet. She grabbed her plate and walked toward the kitchen.
“What a night.” Pippa picked up her wineglass. “Alex, pass the chicken to your brother.”
I finished my dinner quickly, then was told not to do the dishes. After changing out of my dress into sweats, I found Maria in her apartment. “Hey,” I called through the open front door. “Do you want company?”
“As long as it isn’t my father. Come in. I’m already opening a wine bottle for us.”
“Thanks. And…I don’t blame him. The way he stood up to Gerry last night—I’ve been a lot of trouble.”
She scoffed. “He’s a tyrant. With an enormous house. But don’t worry. We’ll figure it out. Pippa will help. Want to watch our show before Nico shows up?”
“Sure.”
I started looking at shared housing on my phone and crunching numbers. The townhouse mortgage payment was still half my responsibility. I rubbed the back of my neck, my chest tight.
A new message came in.
Dominic
Hey
Me
Hi
How are you today?
Glad I’m getting paid tomorrow. How are you? Did you see Ophelia?
She’s the same. Asked about you.
Can I see you soon?
I realized something today. You’re kind of irresistible. I don’t think I can say no.
Good. I hate that word.