Page 70 of Fresh Start
Going through the motions, I got dressed in a T-shirt and jeans and headed for Leo’s room, ready to apologize and explain everything.
“He’s not in,” Melody said when I was still knocking five minutes later. “My grandma said he’s staying at home.”
“Will you give me the address? I need to explain,” I said, and she picked up a folded piece of paper from the desk and passed it to me.
“I knew you’d ask,” she said, and I opened it to find directions to the house.
“You’re the best,” I said and went around the reception desk to kiss her forehead.
“Just remember, I’m the maid of honor,” she said as I ran off. Maid of honor? I’d fucking adopt her if I could.
I got in the car and drove carefully around the streets she’d highlighted in the printed map of the town. The road took me into a suburban street with large, stunning homes, and at the end, located on the cul-de-sac, was a mansion.
The stonework looked incredible, as did the gardens in the front. There weren’t any cars in the driveway, but that didn’t mean the house was empty. He had a large family. All I needed was for one of them to answer the door and let me find Leo.
I rang the bell and waited for a response.
A man in his twenties answered the door.
“Dawson Eldred?” he said and lifted his hand, trying to touch me as if I were a Madam Tussaud’s wax sculpture.
“The one and only. You must be Luke. Leo’s younger brother,” I said and shook his hand.
Luke took my hand and smiled.
“One of them, yes,” he said. “Are you looking for Leo?”
“He’s not here,” Leo shouted from behind the door, and Luke turned to look at him. I tried to step inside so I could talk to him, but Luke turned from starstruck fan to a protective brother.
“Leo, can we talk?” I asked and caught a glimpse of him standing by the stairs.
He looked so beautiful. So sexy. And all I needed from him was to listen so I could have him back in my life.
Twenty
Leo
"We have nothing to say, Dawson," I said in a composed manner. Again, I was proud of myself because my insides were screaming.
"Can you please let me explain? This situation is so—"
"This situation was to be expected," I said, and it took all my energy not to forgive him. His sad, puppy eyes were killing me. Why did he have to be such an asshole? Why did he have to be such an attractive asshole?
"I shouldn't have trusted you again, and that was my bad. It's not anyone's fault. It's not your fault that you look out for yourself. It's what I do. It's what everyone does."
Dawson shook his head.
"But that's not what's happening. If you at least let me tell you—" Dawson started again, but I interrupted him. I truly was done with him, as much as it pained me.
"It's fine, Dawson. We're fine. There's nothing to explain. I don't want to talk to you again. Just leave me alone, and soon we won’t have to see each other ever again,” I said.
Dawson bit his lip, and I could tell my words had hurt him. My heart was begging to cut Dawson some slack, but I wasn't letting this man anywhere near my heart ever again.
“Thanks for stopping by. It was a pleasure to meet you,” Luke said and started pushing him away.
Good, because I didn’t have the strength.
“Bye now,” he said and finally shut the door.
