Page 88 of Rebel Bride
* * *
“If she had come to me and told me how she felt, we could have worked something out,” Dash said. “But the way she left? Only someone with a cruel streak a mile wide could think that was a good way to break up with a guy.”
* * *
Regular readers will recall that Summer exited the church in what some have labeled “a cowardly manner”—she used a bathroom window to make her escape—instead of bravely facing the man she supposedly loved. Over four hundred guests were left speechless when Dash’s best man, his cousin, Saxon Carter the Third, made the terrible announcement that the wedding was cancelled due to the absent bride. What happened next reveals Dash’s depth of character and resilience.
* * *
“I went on my honeymoon alone and did some soul-searching. What was it about me that would have a woman do that? Sure, we had our problems, like any couple. She didn’t like that I was on the road so much, even accused me of cheating. Early in our relationship, she slept with someone else, and I forgave her. Because I thought she was worth it. That we were worth it.”
“That liar!”
Rosie paused mixing the pancake batter. “The cheating accusation?”
“Completely made up. He cheated on me! Only I could never prove it.”
I returned to the phone, my hands shaking.
Many observers have speculated about Summer’s motives in taking such drastic action. Dash has his own take on it.
* * *
“I know it wasn’t about the money because, if she was a gold digger, why not go through with it? And I don’t want anyone calling her that. Sure, I gave her some nice gifts. Jewelry, clothes, a car. She definitely did okay out of it. I think she just likes the idea of stringing guys along. It’s a power thing.”
* * *
When asked if he had spoken with his former fiancée since she left him in front of his friends and family, Dash shook his head.
* * *
“I’ve reached out to her, asking if we can sit down and talk. She’s ignored all my calls. I returned to the city to volunteer with the Rebels Youth Hockey Camp, which is dear to my heart, and to see how she is. Summer made sure I was out of town when she came by to pick up her belongings, which I had set aside for her. I guess she prefers to spread rumors that I left them to be trashed. Funny what you find out about people when they’re under pressure. She didn’t have any family, so I’m not sure she even understands what it’s like to connect with people. We wanted to accept her, but she always set herself on some sort of pedestal.”
* * *
Phew, that’s a lot! We asked Dash if he saw any chance of reconciliation?
* * *
He likes to think there’s always hope. “I’m a big-hearted guy. Always have been. Ask my family, my friends. Ask Summer, if you can get a hold of her. Despite her cruelty, I still think there’s something between us. Call me a fool, but then I’m a fool in love.”
“He is so full of it!”
I had never once heard Dash talk like this. It sounded like he’d plugged in a jilted groom, make me look like the victim prompt into his favorite AI bot and copy/pasted it to this so-called journalist. “He said I won’t take his calls. It’s the other way around. And he left my belongings for garbage pick-up.”
Rosie brought me a cup of English Breakfast tea. “Maybe you should give an interview? Jordan Hunt would love to talk to you.” Jordan was a hockey reporter and podcaster.
“Nope. I’m not playing his game.”
But neither was I prepared to take it lying down. If he wouldn’t take my calls, I would place him in a position where he had to talk to me.
Two hours later, Tara Fitzpatrick, who operated a hair salon in the Rebels practice facility, met me at security to walk me in. I let her give me a trim, a blow out, and a you-go-girl pep talk, because damn, I would look good and feel empowered when confronting the ex-fiancé I had terribly wronged.
I was waiting inside the locker room when Hatch came in after the youth hockey camp session. He wore warm-ups and skates with guards and was carrying a stick.
“Summer.” His voice sounded warm, deep, empathetic. I hadn’t realized how much I missed him.
“I’m here to see Dash.”
