Page 34 of The Music in Me

“One more day, Kira. You couldn’t wait one day before inviting your ex to my cabin?!” he snapped, and I jerked back.

“You think I invited Anthony here?”

“I walk in to find him all over you while you are wearing a fucking dress I bought for you. You let him put his hands on you while you had my collar around your fucking neck.”

“No…” I shook my head frantically and rushed to his side. “You’ve got it all wrong. I didn’t invite Anthony here. He just showed up.”

“Bullshit. How did he know where to find us?”

It hurt that he didn’t believe me, but not as much as it did knowing I felt betrayed by me. “The pictures I took this morning,” I said, looking down at the ground. “They were backed up online, and I forgot Anthony and I still shared an account.”

He looked at me. “You didn’t invite him here?”

“I didn’t. I was shocked when I opened the door and found him standing there.”

“You didn’t check?”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. I thought it was you and got excited.”

“I have my key, Kira. Why would I knock?”

“Don’t think I didn’t ask myself that.” I gave him a small smile. “It’s my fault he came here, and I’m sorry for that, but I promise you, I didn’t invite him here, and I was trying to get him to leave when you arrived.”

“Didn’t seem like it,” he said.

That stung, but I swallowed the pain. “I messed up, I know. How about we just agree that I deserved to be punished for what I did and move on,” I suggested, smiling hesitantly.

He didn’t return my smile. “Not interested.” He picked up his wine glass. “I’m sorry, Kira, but I think this was a mistake.”

Chapter Eight

Ifelt my stomach drop. “What?” I croaked and cleared my throat hurriedly. “Why would you say that?”

“Because it is. I should have kept things professional between us and not crossed the line. I take full blame for that. I know it’s going to take some adjusting, but I’d like us to go back to how things were before.”

I felt a tightness in my chest, and my thoughts were jumbled. “I don’t understand. I…”

“Can I have my collar?” he asked, and I flinched like I’d been struck.

Reaching around my neck, I slowly unclasped the collar and dropped it in his hands. He closed his hand around it and walked away. I remained frozen in shock and confusion, wondering if this was his way of punishing me. It didn’t feel that way. His anger was genuine, and I knew he’d meant it when he said this was over.

“No!” I snapped, shaking my head and rushing toward him. “You don’t get to just walk away. I demand an explanation.” He stopped and turned around. Resisting the urge to burst into tears, I raised my head and looked him in the eyes. “Is it because of Anthony?”

He was quiet for a long time before nodding.

“I told you, I didn’t invite him here. He just showed up, and I was trying to send him away when you returned. I know this weekend was supposed to be just the two of us, and he ruined that, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop now.”

“Do you think this is about this weekend? I don’t even care that he showed up.” His voice was deep and his tone low, but every word carried a punch. “I care that you haven’t gotten over that loser.”

“What do you mean? Of course, I’ve gotten over Anthony. I told him that just now. I even said no when he asked…”

“You want to marry him?” he asked, surprising me. “That’s right. I heard your conversation. I heard him promise to marry you and give you what he thinks you want. Do you want to know what I also heard? You considered his offer before you told him no.”

“But I told him no,” I cried. “I told him no.”

“Maybe, but it’s clear you are not over him, and I realize now that bringing you here was a big mistake. You’re too far gone for me to help you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

---