Page 119 of Blindly Yours

I groan. “See, I’m trying to, though! But I can’t just say no to him if he goes out of his way like he did today.”

“Yes, you can.”

“Ugh.” I cross my arms. “You sound just like Nate.”

George shakes his head. “Look, I know Malcolm is pushy, but no one made you get in that car with him.” I start to protest, but he quickly continues. “And that’s why Nate is pissed. If you told him you can’t stand the guy, he expects a call from you when you can’t shake him off. So…if you didn’t call, he’s worried you might still have feelings.”

“That’s dumb,” I reply, sagging my shoulders. “He knows it’s over with Malcolm.”

George raises a brow. “But maybe today made him question that?”

I grumble an unintelligible agreement.

“Nate’s a good guy, I think,” George considers. “But he shouldn’t have left you hanging like this… Not before you could explain yourself. He’s gotta suck it up and hear you out. He’s in the wrong there. I’ll give you that.”

“So, what do I do?” I frown.

He touches his chin again. “I say let him have the weekend. See what happens. Then have a hard talk with him on Monday. Make sure he understands he hurt you. A simple apology isn’t going to cut it.” He purses his lips and his expression softens. “Mom told me his wife passed?”

I nod solemnly as Daisy emerges from the other room to hop onto my lap.

George sits forward and clasps his hands together. “I’ve obviously never been through what he has, but most guys…” He touches his chest. “We don’t always admit it, but we have hero complexes. He was probably completely crushed there was nothing he could do to save her. Couldn’t protect her from…” He pauses and eyes me for an answer.

“Cancer,” I confirm quietly.

“Right,” he sighs. “He couldn’t protect her from that. He’s probably still devastated, and that’s why he wants to kind of…protect you from Malcolm.”

“Why would he think Malcolm is such a threat?”

“He was driving recklessly, wasn’t he?”

I sigh. “Yeah, but we’re fine. It was just a little skid.”

“A little skid could have easily turned into a lot more,” George says. “I don’t particularly want you in the car with him either.”

I hang my head. “Yeah, I get it.”

“Does Nate know Malcolm cheated on you?”

I nod.

“Then honestly, I don’t blame Nate for trying to keep you away from him.” George tightens his lips into a sympathetic frown.

I lower my eyes to my hands, which are clasped together on my lap. Malcolm would absolutely hurt me again if I ever let him back into my life. It’s a reality I haven’t really grasped until now, but I can suddenly see things from Nate’s perspective.

George speaks softly. “It’s something he finally has control over. Protecting the woman he loves.”

“Oh, he doesn’t…we haven’t said that…” I burst out awkwardly.

George shrugs. “Even so, I have a feeling the best thing you can do for him is to just…ask him for help when you get into a tight situation like that. The guy needs to feel like he can be there for you.” He takes a deep breath. “And he is undoubtedly afraid something horrible is going to happen to you…after all the trauma he’s been through.”

I run my fingers through Daisy’s fur, remembering the way Nate so sternly kept me away from the road while he changed the tire today. My heart hurts for him, and I vow to be more careful from now on.

“But don’t let him off the hook.” George stands up and points at me. “He’d better have a good reason for leaving you hanging like this. I’m sure he knows you’re miserable.” George pulls on his jacket. “And if this turns out to just be a jealousy thing on his part, forget everything I said. I’m just giving him the benefit of the doubt, here.”

I nudge Daisy and climb off the sofa, then I wrap my arms around George. “Thank you.”

After a quick squeeze, he chuckles and steps back to muss my hair like the annoying older brother he is before turning toward the door. “The files on your counter are for Monday’s meeting with the Webbers.”

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