Page 49 of Love in Training
“I—” He stops, looking from me back to the school, then down at his hands. “I’m sorry about... in there.”
I frown, fingering my keys. That’s literally the last thing I expected from him, and now I have no idea what to say.
“What do youwant?” I repeat.
He exhales and digs in his pocket, then holds out a slightly creased business card. “You can call. If you need help. I... I just want to protect him.”
I stare at the rectangle with his business name and number, wondering if this is a peace offering or just a new battle maneuver. But when I finally take it and look up into those achingly familiar green eyes, my face heats. Suddenly, my heart is pounding in my chest. It doesn’t seem fair that this feels like something Imiss. I lick my lips and refocus, looking for something to anchor my brain because my body is clearly confused. Then I find it—his glasses. Thank God Drew wears glasses and Kyle sure as hell didn’t.
“Thanks.” I shove the card in my pocket, slide into the SUV, and lock the doors. But by the time I pull out of the parking lot, I’m blinking through tears, remembering the one and only time I spoke to Kyle after he broke my heart.
I’m sorry, Caprice. I just want to protect you.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
By the timeI make it back to my mom’s, the clouds have started to descend over the edge of the mountains. The air has actually warmed since I dropped Rufus off, but it hasn’t begun raining. I’m sure the highway will be a mess before I get home. I just want to get back to Denver and into a pair of leggings so I can do some squats orsomethingto control my heart rate.
When I walk up her front steps, everything seems surprisingly calm. I’m not sure what I expected to find. The house in flames? Half-eaten? First responders gathered on the street, trying to save her from the dog?
I let myself in with a light knock to announce my arrival, which inadvertently summons the beast. Rufus comes barreling out of the kitchen, barking like a hellhound—vicious and snarling, ready to tear out my jugular. But as he registers me, his booming bark shifts into that godforsaken low-level whine. He runs two circles around me, then leans against my legs, tongue hanging out and tail wagging, plastering golden hair all over my dress.
“He seems pretty attached to you.” My mom chuckles.
“Well, I’m not attached to him.” I sink into a chair and touch the top of his head lightly, grimacing when he shoves his nose into my hand. “What’s the damage?”
“He pooped in my flower bed. But when he wasn’t checking out the window to see if you’d come back, he mostly worked on this,” she says, handing me the empty Kong. “He did seem to get more agitated in the last half hour, though.”
I roll my eyes. “The vet said it’ll take a while for the Prozac to start working.”
“I’m not sure if it’s just anxiety.” She pats his head, and he leans in like he enjoys it, but his eyes stay trained on me. “See what I mean? He just adores you.”
“More proof there’s something wrong with him.” I fold my arms and look away.
Mom stays quiet. When she doesn’t say anything else, I glance back, and her face is thoughtful. “We couldn’t afford to have pets after your dad left. I always regretted that—learning to love animals is so good for children.”
I bristle at the mention of my father. As a successful attorney, Anthony Phipps could have easily provided for us, but he chose not to. She almost never mentions him, which suits everyone. But right now her gaze is far away.
I want to tell her I regret everyothersacrifice she made raising us on her own, setting her dreams aside because she was too proud to pursue child support. But my mom isn’t the one who deserves that ire.
“Kyle was always convinced he could change my mind about dogs,” I grumble.
Her face softens as she strokes Rufus’s ears. “How did it go at the school?”
I glance out the window at the incoming wall of clouds, thinking again of Drew’s stormy eyes. “Fine. They awarded the scholarship to Tania Riley’s cousin.”
“Oh, nice.” She nods, then asks more quietly, “Did you talk to the Forbeses?”
“Unfortunately.” I curl my lip. “In case you had any doubt, they’re still assholes. I’ll just write my article about Kenyon.”
She shakes her head mutely, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore, so I rise from my chair, collecting my purse and Rufus’s things.
“Thanks again for dog sitting, Mom. I promise I’ll come by the gallery soon.”
Her eyes light up. “I have a new photographer I’d love you to meet.” She laughs at my expression and slips Rufus an extra treat. “But if it means I’ll see you more often, I’ll watch my ‘granddog’ anytime you want.”
I stop and look at her. “Please don’t ever call him that again.”
