Page 54 of Audra: The Prequel

“It’s been four weeks since I saw her. My calls go to voicemail, and she doesn’t respond to my texts. I’m fairly certain she blocked me.”

Despite the blunt way they had spoken to each other, he had reached out with the hope of reconciliation. He figured that since he had cooled off, she probably had too. Clearly not.

“I’m done chasing her. I told her the truth, and she doesn’t believe me. That’s her problem.” He stopped at the window and stared at the cars going by on the highway.

He still wondered who the man was she had been having drinks with when he saw her at the tapas place. Had she already moved on, and that’s why she hadn’t wanted to fix their relationship?

He didn’t believe that for one second, but knowing the truth didn’t stop the acidic burn of jealousy from eating him up from the inside out. Maybe he shouldn’t have come at her with so much anger, but he had been pissed off because she had been ignoring his texts.

Because of traffic, he had shown up late to her job. When he saw her car parked in the lot, he realized she had to be somewhere in the vicinity—or he hoped so. Then he found her calmly sipping a chocolate martini with another man while he was going crazy missing her, and something inside him snapped.

He deeply regretted his behavior, especially since photos of them arguing on the sidewalk had shown up online. The articles identified Audra as the woman he’d gone to dinner with months ago and speculated about a love triangle between him, her, and Nami.

“You do understand why she might be keeping her distance, don’t you?” Chadwick asked.

“Whose side are you on?” Damon demanded.

“I’m on your side, son, but I also know you can be less than forthcoming with information.”

Damon sank onto the sofa and let his head fall back. “I know my limitations when it comes to communicating, and I’m working on getting better. But as soon as she sent me the text, I reached out to explain. I didn’t avoid her.”

“True, but you were quite the ladies’ man before you became involved with this young lady, so surely you can understand her doubts.”

“That’s in the past. I’m not that man anymore.”

“It seems she’s not so sure.”

Damon blew out a frustrated breath. “Doesn’t matter now. We’re done,” he muttered.

How could everything have gotten so messed up? One minute he was in a dream relationship with his woman in thestands during his home games, and the next he was dismissed and cut off.

“For the record, she had no reason to doubt me. We talked all the time, and for months I hadn’t been seen with anyone else but her.”

“I suppose her relationship with her daughter’s father didn’t help.”

Damon had told Chadwick about Audra’s problems with her ex.

“He’s the one who sent her the link,” Damon informed him.

“He was trying to create problems.”

“Worked like a charm.”

Damon’s gaze landed on the set of colorful pillows Audra had suggested he buy after their first date. He’d also purchased a few other items she suggested, including plants that didn’t need constant attention since he traveled so much.

“You need the greenery,” she had said. “They add visual interest, and bonus, studies show having plants reduces your stress levels.”

The silence on the other end of the phone forced him to reflect on his true feelings, and the anger and frustration drained out of him.

“I lost her.”

His father didn’t respond right away.

“Sounds like you’re in love,” he finally said.

There it was—the truth Damon had been avoiding all along. What he felt for Audra was undeniable and unlike anything he’d ever experienced with another woman. It wasn’t just attraction or fleeting passion—it was deeper and terrified him as much as it pulled him in.

There was so much more he could have said—so much more heshouldhave said. He should have told Audra that he lovedher. He should have said the thought of living without her was unbearable.

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