Page 12 of Past Lovers

“When we were still in college.”

Clay frowned. “And you started pushing me back into her arms about the same time.”

Adam looked down to his lap and said nothing.

“You’re a fucking asshole,” Clay spat.

“I am,” Adam whispered. “I am.”

Clay turned back to face front, his hands twisting on the wheel. Rage unlike anything he knew filled him. Adam and Melanie? They hated one another…

Or so he’d thought.

“Get out,” Clay said through grated teeth.

“I thought you needed me at work today?”

“I’ll do it myself,” he spat, sick to his stomach.

Adam turned, as if he was going to say something else…

Get out… before I lose it…

Luckily, Adam grasped the door, silent. He got out and as soon as he closed the door, Clay gunned it. He needed as much space between him and his supposed best friend as possible.

When he pulled into work, he stared at the front.

McFadden…

He’d have to stare at that name, that face, every goddamned day for the rest of forever.

Clay climbed from his car and walked straight into Dale’s office. “Got a minute?”

Dale smiled up. “Glad you two finally got here.”

“You’ll have my resignation letter by the end of the day.”

Dale frowned, taken aback. “I was only joking.”

“I wasn’t,” Clay murmured before stalking out and to his office. After slamming the door, he fell into his chair, a scream bubbling up in his chest. Unable to stop himself, he let out the roar—but held back from sending his fist through the wall.

How could he?

Clay was almost happy to learn that Adam had called out, but he heard it from Dale as the man came in to try to find out why he was leaving. Clay couldn’t put the pain he felt into words… not yet.

“You know how much I value you,” Dale said.

Too bad your son doesn’t.“It’s just time for me to go.”

Dale was silent. “If you really feel that this is the best course of action, I’ll support your decision. But I really want you to consider it. Long and hard. I don’t want that letter today. If you still feel the same way in a week—then I’ll take it.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

Dale nodded as he rose. “Either way—a week.”

Clay stared at the closing door, wishing he was anywhere but there.

Chapter Four

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