Page 66 of The Beat of My Heart
“I’m afraid to mess things up with her the same way I did with Anna,” he admits.
“You asshole!” I yell. “Get your head out of your ass, YOU didn’t mess anything up with Anna. She was always a selfish bitch. We all saw it but wanted you happy, so we kept our feelings to ourselves. We won’t make that mistake again, by the way. Lanie is different. We can all see it. Figure out what you want and go for it, but for Christ's sake, don’t let your fears of your past ruin your future.”
Don’t let the fears of your past ruin your future. Fucking hell. I’m barely present for the rest of the call with Dex.Don’t let your fears of your past ruin your future.
“For fuck's sake,” I yell to an empty car. Throwing my phone on the passenger seat, I know I need to go find Loki.
Chapter 25
-Smile Like You Mean It, The Killers
Julia
“Mom? Dad?” I yell as I enter my childhood home, “Where are you?” Propping Charlie up on my hip, I toss his diaper bag onto the couch.
“Julia?” comes my mother's voice from the hallway. “I didn’t know you were stopping by,” she says, coming into view. “Lanie, I’ll be…” she starts, cocks her head to the side, then laughs. “Lexi, I swear you and Lanie will always fool me at first glance. Rosa told me you were visiting, but I didn’t know we’d get to see you. How are you, sweet girl?” my mother asks, pulling her into a hug.
“I’m good, Mimi. How are you guys? I’ve missed you,” the honesty clear in her voice.
“Oh, we’re good, just missing Lanie a little if I’m being honest. I hate that you girls are all over the place now,” my mother says wistfully. As far as she is concerned, Lanie is her daughter as much as I am. “Now, what can I get you to drink?” she asks.
“I’m fine, but thanks. I was actually hoping I could speak to you or Pete, privately,” Lexi says. “I think… I think I need a lawyer.”
“Oh, dear, okay. Come this way. Jules, there’s a snack in the kitchen for you and Charlie if you’re hungry,” she says, giving Charlie a big kiss on her way by. “My sweet boy,” she says as she passes.
“Alright, big guy, what do you say we get something to eat? Momma’s a little hungover and needs some food,” I tell him.
“When you’re old enough to know what I’m saying, little man, I will have to watch what I say. Until then, you get the job of being my outlet when the chaos comes.” I say, kissing his chubby cheeks.
Knowing Lexi could be in trouble definitely has the chaos coming. Mix that with the fact that I think my best friend is falling in love with her boss, and I’m a category four storm ready to touch down.
“Speak of the devil,” I say, putting Charlie into his highchair just as Lanie calls.
Accepting the call and holding the phone out so both Charlie and I are visible in the frame, I answer. “Hey, lady, what’s up?” Noticing her swollen face, I hand Charlie a teething biscuit and pull the phone in close. “What the fuck happened to your face?” I demand.
“Ugh, Jules. You won’t even believe it. The kid's mother happened. She showed up here out of the blue yelling and screaming. Poor Tate was scared out of his mind,” she tells me.
“That doesn’t explain why you have a handprint on the side of your face,” I deadpan.
“I went outside to talk to her, and she boot-slapped me. Can you believe that? She actually slapped me. Knocked me right off my feet,” Lanie explains as only she can. She never swears, and I got used to her terminology years ago, but I have a feeling it will take Dexter a while to get used to it.
“What the hell, Lanie?” I start, but she cuts me off.
“Listen, that’s not really the problem.”
“That sounds like a big freaking problem to me, Lanie. Where is Dex? Is he doing something about this or what?” I ask, getting irate.
“Calm down, Jules. Yes, he is taking care of it, but it’s what he said last night, I’m not sure what to do,” she says.
“Well, spit it out there, Chica, what did he say that has your panties all in a twist?” I ask.
“He said he is going to protect me, Jules. He made it sound like forever. I can’t do forever. What the hell is he talking about? And he said it in front of Tate, so that’s even worse,” she says.
I listen as she tells me all about Dexter Cross, but my eyes are on my son. I can’t help but wonder if Charlie would have been protective. My gut says yes, but it makes me sad that I’ll never know for sure.
“What am I going to do, Jules?” Lanie’s question brings me out of my daydream.
“Lanes, you’re both consenting adults, just try to relax and see where it goes. But if he doesn’t do something about that ex-wife giving you a smackdown, he’ll have me to answer to,” I tell her.
