“I can’t do this, Rox,” he whispered, his voice pained.
Was he breaking up with her? How had it come to this? They had something special. She’d never felt a stronger bond or connection with anyone. This went beyond casual. Roxanne was committed. She saw a future with him, and she thought he saw that too.
“I love you,” she whispered, grabbing his shirt in her fists.
“Fuck,” he muttered with a heavy breath. Jonah clasped his hands over her wrists. “Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what? I’m being honest with you. Why can’t we talk about this?”
“I can’t, Roxanne.” He refused to look at her. “I have this life, and you don’t fit in it. There’s no place for you.”
It was like a punch to the gut, she never saw coming. She dropped her hands to her sides. Her eyes welled as a wrenching pain struck her heart. Her breath was labored, and she fell back against the door. And still, he wouldn’t look at her.
“I have to go.”
Everything in her heart, body, and soul was telling her to block his exit and force him to talk to her. There was something beyond just them making him bail on their future. She just didn’t know what it was. Talking would’ve helped. Being open and letting down his guard may have gotten them somewhere. Roxanne would’ve done anything it took. And there lies the problem.I can’t be the only one fighting for us.
The realization hit just as hard as his words. Roxanne slowly stepped to the side and grabbed the handle, opening the door. If he wanted to leave, she wouldn’t stop him. For as much as she wanted to be with Jonah, she wouldn’t beg any man to love her.I know my worth.
She stared across the room, fighting her tears. Once he was gone, she’d fall apart. But not a second sooner.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered and walked out the door.
Me too.
****
Jonah’s grip tightened around the phone at his ear as he stalked out of the workshop. He’d been working extra hours for his client to make sure the project was complete on time. Jonah had initially been hesitant to agree to the timeframe. It was cutting it close. But it was a lot of money, and he’d been interested in working on the intricate piece.
“We agreed on a set timeframe, Joe.” Jonah dragged his hand over his head.
“I know, but the anniversary party had to be moved up by a week.”
A week. For his client, it wasn’t much time. For Jonah, it would be non-stop after hours in the shop to get it done.Fuck.
“I’ll pay an extra thousand.”
Jonah ground his teeth. While the money was an incentive, Joe wasn’t considering the time he’d have to sacrifice. Not to mention delaying other jobs for the sake of his.Rich fucking people.Jonah could’ve refused and stood by their original agreement. However, he’d only taken a down payment, which didn’t cover the materials and time he’d put into the project. If Joe backed out, it’d be detrimental to Jonah’s finances.
“I’ll get it done.”
“Thanks, Jonah.”
He hung up and stormed into the house. Jonah was pissed, which was commonplace over the last few days.
When he walked into the kitchen there were dishes piled in the sink, two pots on the stove and the garbage was overflowing in the corner of the room. This wasn’t something that hadn’t happened before. However, all he needed was one reason to lose his shit. And he’d just found it.
Cord was leaning against the counter and staring down at his phone.
“How many times do I have to tell you to clean up your shit?” He swung his arm out, pointing to the sink. “I don’t do enough around here? You expect me to work sixteen-hour days and then come home to clean up after your ass?”
Cord rolled his eyes, waving him off. “Relax, I was gonna do it when…”
“Don’t tell me to fucking relax. When you start contributing to the mortgage, the electricity, the gas, and the fucking water, then you can tell me to relax. But until then,” he balled his fists, “clean up your goddamn mess.”
“Oh, shit.” Holden stood in the doorway, darting his gaze between the brothers. “What’s going on?”
Jonah ignored his little brother and stalked to the fridge, ripping open the door and grabbing a beer. He had every right to be upset. Cord was old enough to clean up after himself. But Jonah recognized his anger was misplaced, taking a shot at the closest point of frustration. It all stemmed from the past three days. Seventy-two hours with zero contact.That’s what happens with breakups, asshole.
