Page 23 of Dart to Me
Miles. No way. Thinking he’ll just waltz over here and try to hassle me into leaving her alone, make me back off? He has another thing coming. Maybe I’ll be the one to give him a piece of my mind. If he’s looking for a fight, I’m sure as hell not afraid of one.
Who does this guy think he is? I steel myself for whatever confrontation is about to happen, clenching my fists tight and ready, the anger boiling up hotter than the day.
Miles notices me coming and sticks his hands in his pockets. He has a grin on his face, like he’s already got it in the bag. Damn joker. I’ve got news for him: I’m not playing. I will not let him get to me. I will not let him win.
“What can I do for you, Miles?” I snap, stopping right in front of him.
He shifts his weight, that smug smile never leaving his face. “Just came to talk. Man to man.”
“Is that right?” I cross my arms over my chest, conscious of the sweat sticking my t-shirt to my back. “I’m working. Some of us have jobs to do.”
“Won’t take long.” Miles glances around the construction site, eyeing the half-finished framework of what will eventually be luxury condos. His casual assessment of my workplace only pisses me off more.
“Spit it out then.”
“Ellie’s been through a lot,” he says, dropping his voice. “More than you know. I’m just looking out for her.”
“Looking out for her?” I almost laugh. “Is that what you call showing up at her place unannounced? Calling her at all hours?”
His smile falters. “She told you about that?”
“She didn’t have to. I’ve seen how she gets when her phone rings.” I take a step closer, close enough to smell his cologne. Too fancy for this heat. “Listen to me carefully. Whatever you two had is over. She’s made that clear.”
“You don’t understand?—”
“No, you don’t understand. Ellie makes her own decisions. And she’s decided she doesn’t want you around. So back off.”
Miles’s jaw tightens, that friendly façade cracking. “You think you know her? A couple of dates and a good fuck and suddenly you’re the expert?”
Something cold slides down my spine despite the heat. “Get off my site, Miles. Now.”
He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Just having a friendly chat. But remember what I said.” He turns to leave, then stops. “Oh, and Julian? She always comes back to me. Always. Ever since our first date.”
I watch him walk away, fighting the urge to put my fist through something. Or someone.
I head back to work with my blood boiling, trying to focus on the beam measurements but seeing only red. What the hell is that supposed to mean? “Our first date.” Like he’s got some hold on her I don’t know about.
The rest of the afternoon drags by in a haze of sweat and distraction. Twice I catch my crew exchanging glances when I snap at them over minor issues. Not like me. I’m not that guy.
By quitting time, my head’s pounding from more than just the heat. I head straight to Ellie’s.
She answers the door, surprised. “Julian? I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
“Had to see you,” I say, searching her face. She looks tired, dark circles under her eyes that makeup can’t quite hide. “Can I come in?”
She hesitates just long enough for me to notice before stepping aside. Her apartment is neat as always, but something feels off. A suitcase sits half-packed in the corner of her living room.
“Going somewhere?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual.
“Just... organizing some things.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit I’ve come to recognize. “Want something to drink?”
“Miles came to see me today,” I say, ignoring her offer. “At the construction site.”
Her face goes pale. “What? Why would he?—”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” I move closer, needing to see her eyes. “He said some things. About you two. About how you always go back to him.”
Ellie wraps her arms around herself, suddenly looking small. “Julian, it’s complicated.”
