Page 11 of Playing A Risk
“I got a call from Jonah. He needed help with an issue. While I was talking to him, someone came to the door. Long story short, Dori and my ex came face-to-face.
“There was a big brawl and it wasn’t pretty. During the scuffle, I had a hold of my ex as she was crying in my arms. I’m not sure of the exact moment Dori left, but she snuck out of the kitchen with nothing.”
Mel’s arms fall dramatically to her side. “You have an ex who lives here in town and you never told Dori about her?”
I cringe. “Yes.”
“Oh, Jami. What were you thinking? Keeping that fromDori…” Melanie presses the heel of her hand against her forehead and shakes her head like I’m hurting her brain somehow.
“I know, Mel.” My eyes fill with remorse.
She folds her arms. “You can’t be holding your ex and consoling her while Dori watches it happen. For a smart guy, that was the dumbest thing you could’ve done. You know she wants you to put her first, and you slapped her in the face by doing that.”
It’s worse than that and I know it. Mel will find out the truth sooner or later, so I give it to her.
I fold my arms across my chest. “It wasn’t me who hit Dori in the face. It was my ex.”
“What? Your ex smacked Dori? And you thought it was a good idea to hold her and not take care of Dori?” Mel glares hard across the room. “I can’t believe you thought any of that was acceptable. I’m angry at you for her.”
My heart shrinks. Melanie’s this upset, and she doesn’t even know half of it.
“I’m sorry, Mel. I’m so fucking sorry. The situation unfolded so fast. I got punched in the face and went to hold my ex’s arms so she wouldn’t get to Dori. She fell into my chest before I knew what was happening. The next thing I knew, Dori was gone.”
Mel pushes off the desk and trudges toward me. I brace myself for whatever she has in store. I swear she’s going to backhand me, but she doesn’t.
“Jamison Stone, you’re your own worst enemy. You know that, right? Dori discovering that you have an ex who is emotionally connected to you and you responding to her in a way that suggests you’re just as attached is likely the worst action you could’ve taken. Aside from cheating on her.”
Pretty sure what actually happened would tie for first place.
I let my head fall forward in shame. This is such a bad situation. I’m desperate now.
I find Mel’s gaze. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t think she’d go to Hunter’s with that. He’d say, ‘I told you so,’ and that’s as bad as not prioritizing her. She won’t give him that power.”
“Do you have any idea where she could be?” My tone is full of desperation.
“She’s probably in a ball on her bed. She’ll need time to process last night.” Mel’s eyes widen. “That gives me a thought.”
“What?”
“Maybe she’s in a therapy session.”
I growl under my breath. “You can’t really believe she went to a therapy session from my apartment last night without a phone, shoes, or coat. Come on, Mel, think.”
“Do not get that way with me. This is your fuck up.”
My stance softens. “I’m sorry. I’m just concerned and not in my right mind.”
She gives me a sideways glare. “Fine. Apology accepted. Now let’s find my friend.”
“How are we going to do that?”
“First things first, I need to talk to Jonah to verify Dori’s been heard from. Otherwise, I’m going to panic and think she was abducted.”
Adrenaline shoots through my veins. “Melanie, I can’t hear that right now. Please don’t even consider that.”
She nods and pulls out her phone. She taps the screen and lifts it to her ear.
