Page 1 of Dustin
Chapter 1
(Dustin)
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I watch as Ethan hugs his girlfriend goodbye. I feel a little bad that I interrupted their time together, especially as they haven't seen each other in a while. But we all have to show up and do our jobs.
I still find it bizarre as hell that most of my teammates are in relationships. It’s like they’re catching a bug or something. First, Lucas, who met his girl in Istanbul, then Sam, who met Eliza in Pakistan. Ethan and his girlfriend, Audra, met a few months ago in Mexico. Their meeting led to them getting kidnapped. There were a few hiccups here and there, but they’re safe now and happy. Well, as happy as two people with tasking, time-absorbing jobs in a relationship can be. Audra’s a detective, which means she’s almost as busy as Ethan, but I’m sure they’ll make things work.
Sam and Lucas don’t live on the same continent as their girlfriends, yet they’re happy.
Sometimes I like to think I’ll find my own special person. But with my luck, I won’t be getting a happy ending.
“Are you going to tell me exactly how you know Maddie’s back?” Ethan questioned as we headed for my car.
“I just do,” I grumble, not liking how he phrases the question. “Can you please get in? I don’t want to be late for the meeting.”
The faster we get going, the earlier I get there, and maybe I might not be forced to speak to her. Because I know Madison, she’ll try to approach me and talk to me if she can.
Ethan gets in, but I can tell he plans to grill me the entire drive to D.C.
Just perfect.
“Why are you so upset?” Ethan asks after twenty minutes of driving.
“I’m not,” I tell him while clutching the steering wheel.
I don’t have a problem with Madison being in the country. This is America. I don’t care if she’s coming or going. My problem is her presence at the meeting later today. She has no reason to be there, and I have no desire to see her.
“Bullshit, D. Come on, talk to me.”
I really don’t want to.
I never want to talk to anyone about this. Ethan sighs when I continue to be silent.
“You’re all smiles and jokes until the topic of Maddie comes up, and honestly, I don’t get it. Things between you ended five years ago.”
“Look, Ethan, I don’t need you to analyze my feelings right now.”
“Are you planning on seeing her? Just because she’s around doesn’t mean you’re going to run into each other,” Ethan points out after a few minutes.
“Except she’s coming to the meeting today,” I state.
His head swivels to me, and his brown eyes turn inquisitive.
“Why would she even be there?” he questions.
“I don’t know, man.”
I’ve been asking myself the same thing all morning.
“And how do you have this information?”
I decide to keep mute on that.
Ethan stares at me. One second, two seconds, five seconds.
“You’re sleeping with his secretary. Aren’t you?” It’s not really a question.
