Page 72 of Purr For Me
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sully knocked on Lexie’s apartment door and looked around the neighborhood. It seemed nice enough, but he’d never live in a place like this. It was too cookie-cutter for him. He preferred his ancient house with all its quirks, the huge backyard and swimming pool. However, Lexie couldn’t afford to be fussy.
When Lexie opened the door she wasn’t surprised to see him.
“Look, I appreciate you stopping by, but I’m fine. I just need some time.”
Sully put his hands on his hips. “You’ve had time. You need to get back to work. I need my partner back, and we’ve got two design jobs lined up.”
Lexie nodded. “I know. I’m just—”
“Wallowing. That’s what you’re doing. Start doing what you love again. That’s what you do when you get your head messed up,” Sully said. “Bury yourself in work.”
His attitude made her temper flare. “Is that what you did after your divorce?” she challenged.
Sully’s face tightened, but he nodded. “Yep. It was a big part of what kept me from drinking myself to death. I’ve been down lower than you, sweetheart, but I clawed my way back. So, I’m speaking from experience when I say that you can do it, too. It’s gonna hurt like hell, but you just take it one moment at a time.”
“I’m just trying to work out what I want, and what I need. I know it was only a cabin, but it was all I had.”
“Not all. You’ve got Kade.”
“I know and he deserves someone who isn’t broken and messed up.”
“Ah, damn it. Can you try to forgive him? It really wasn’t his fault about the cabin. You know you’re blaming the wrong Colter.”
“I do know that. It’s more about me than him. I’m so messed up.”
“Are you? The cabin is just wood and nails. Your mother lives in your memories and in your heart. I think that cabin is your crutch. With a man like Kade standing by your side, you don’t need it. Love is all you need. And from what Kendra and Stella have told me, Kade loves you in spades. He’s hurting, too.”
A tiny piece of her knew Sully was right. But she’d had so little time with her mother, the cabin…
Suddenly, Sully was there. She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned against him as big, hot tears dripped onto her cheeks and soaked his shirt. It was the first time she’d cried over Kade, and agony battered her from all directions. She was too weak to resist as Sully guided her over to the couch and sat down with her.
He didn’t talk, just held her while she poured out all of her heartache. Uncontrollable sobs wracked her body, and it felt like the river of tears would never dry up.
After a time, Sully pulled her back and said, “Hey, now, you gotta stop. You’re gonna make yourself sick, girl.”
Lexie shook her head as another sob shook her.
Sully grabbed her arms, threw back his head and shouted, “She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean!”
Lexie immediately ceased crying and clapped a hand over his mouth. “Shut the hell up. Oh, my god, Sully.”
He laughed behind her hand and pulled it away. “I knew that would get your attention. Now, look, I know that it will be a real bitch, but you have to come back. It will help, I swear.
“You’ve worked too hard to give up your dreams over a massive disappointment. You’re stronger than that, and you got a lot of friends who’ll help you through this. And a man who loves you if you’ll let him. You know how rare that is?” He kissed the side of her head and got up. “So you quit your bawling, and get your ass to work tomorrow, or I’ll be back to serenade you some more.”
Gratitude for his kindness filled Lexie. “Thank you, Sully.”
He gave her a stern look and shook his finger at her. “You just thank me by showing up tomorrow.”
She grabbed a tissue from the box on the coffee table and blew her nose. “Okay.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
In her mind, she saw Sully singing again and started laughing, feeling lighter than she had since the debacle with Kade. Huffing out a sigh, she said, “Okay, Lexie, time to get your shit together.”
And she had to go talk with Kade. He would be worried sick, blaming himself.
