Chapter 4 #2
Dalton and I parted ways and set out to grab our designated items. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about shopping solo, but I didn’t want to torment Dalton any more than I had to.
Not wasting any time, I rushed into the store where the cotton, 1200-thread-count sheets were on sale, then searched for Mom’s terry cloth bathrobe.
Thankfully, neither were hard to find, and I was on my way back to find Dalton with time to spare.
When I approached our meeting spot, I was surprised to find him standing in a corner talking with a young woman.
They were both so engrossed in their discussion that neither of them seemed to notice the crowds of people scurrying around them.
They certainly didn’t notice me as I came up behind them.
I was about to speak up and let them know I was there when I heard the woman say, “I always thought you’d be the father of my children. That’s what I always wanted, and if I’m being honest, it’s what I still want.”
It was at that moment I realized the woman he was speaking to was Sadie—the woman he’d once loved and adored.
Dalton didn’t respond to her comment. He simply stood there completely silent and watched as she ran her hand over her pregnant belly, which in my mind spoke volumes.
“You should be the father of this baby, and you would’ve been if you hadn’t sent me away.
I loved you so much. I still love you, and you may not want to admit it, but I know you love me, too. ”
I didn’t wait for his response. I couldn’t bear to hear it, so I bolted for the door and never looked back.
My heart felt like it was shattering in my chest as I ran out to the curb, waved down a taxi, and fought with my packages to get inside.
As soon as I closed the door, I gave the driver my address and sat back in the seat.
We’d only gone a couple of blocks when I got a text message from Dalton.
Dalton:
Where are you?
Me:
I left.
Dalton:
What do you mean you left?
Me:
I’m going home. Goodbye, Dalton.
I turned off my phone and tossed it into my purse.
That’s when the tears I’d been holding back started to fall, and they continued to fall until I reached my apartment.
I hated that I’d gotten so upset. I should’ve known better.
I shouldn’t have gotten so attached to Dalton.
I just couldn’t seem to help myself. The past few weeks with him had been better than I could’ve ever imagined.
It was just so easy with him. I could let my guard down and just be me.
He’d gone above and beyond to show me how good things could be between us, and I hated that seeing him with Sadie had me doubting what we had—but it did.
As soon as I opened the door to my apartment, I dropped my bags down on the kitchen table, then went straight to my bedroom and changed into my pajamas.
I was still crying as I crawled into bed and pulled the covers over my head.
The second I closed my eyes, all I could see was Dalton and Sadie together, happy and holding her newborn.
That very image had lingered in the back of my mind for months, haunting me, and now my worst nightmare was becoming my reality.
I curled into my pillow and continued to sob.
I had no idea how long I’d lain there crying in the dark when I heard someone pounding on my front door.
Dread washed over me as I eased back the covers and got out of bed.
I quickly wiped the tears from my face and forced myself into the kitchen.
I stood there for a moment, just staring at the door.
I knew Dalton was on the other side. I could feel it.
After inhaling a deep breath, I walked over and unlocked the deadbolt, then eased open the door—just enough to see his face. “You didn’t have to come here.”
“The hell you say. There’s no way I wouldn’t come.” He stepped forward, forcing me to fully open the door. “Why the hell did you leave without telling me?”
“I saw you talking to Sadie.”
“Okay. So, you saw me talking to her.” He used the heel of his boot to close the door, then stepped over to me. “That doesn’t answer my fucking question.”
“I told you that you needed to go see her when you got out.”
“Yeah, and?”
“It’s clear by the way you two were talking that there are things left unsaid between you two ... at least, they were up until tonight.”
“You wanna tell me what you’re gettin’ at ’cause I still don’t understand why you left me at that fuckin’ mall?”
“I left you there because it seemed like the right thing to do.” I felt like my throat was closing as I forced myself to say, “It’s okay, Dalton. I understand if you want to be with her.”
“Be with her?” His eyes grew fierce as he clenched his jaw and let an aggravated breath slip through his pursed lips.
He cocked his head to the side, trying to rein in whatever emotions he was feeling, which, if I had to guess, was outright anger.
“What the fuck makes you think I wanna be with her?”
“It would make sense, Dalton. The two of you have history together. You loved her and wanted a family with her. You said that yourself, and you might still be together if—”
“If I hadn’t landed myself in prison.”
“Yes, exactly. And you didn’t talk to her when you got out. You avoided her altogether, so you never got closure. Maybe there’s a reason for that.”
“You gotta be kidding me.” He then rolled his head, popping the vertebrae in his neck, before letting out a frustrated growl. “You might just be the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.”
“I don’t understand why you’re mad, Dalton. I’m trying to make this easy for you.”
“Easy? What about this is easy?”
“I’m letting you off the hook.”
“You’re what?”
“You heard me, Dalton. We don’t have to do this.” I got that he was mad, but I wanted to make sure he was mad for the right reason. “It’s okay. You have every right to see if there’s anything left between you and her, and I don’t want to be the one who keeps you from doing so.”
“Yeah, you’re without a doubt the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met.
I don’t know how you cooked up this shit in your head, but you are wrong about Sadie.
” He took another step towards me and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
“I don’t want ‘off the hook.’ I don’t want or need fucking closure or any of that psychological bullshit with Sadie either. ”
“But—”
“But nothing.” His eyes bored into mine as he whispered, “Don’t you get it? All I need is you. Nothing else.”