Her hand rose, and April slapped me so hard that I rocked back. “How dare you!”
“What?” I asked, confused, as I cupped my face. Well, April had given me another issue to worry about besides my shoulder. My cheek and jawline radiated pain.
“Nothing was set in stone. Jeez, it was a summer job I’d been talking to Clara about. Not a permanent one. I’d also been looking into local colleges to inquire if any offered the course I needed. Damn, you really believed I’d give up my future for you?” April was seething. I could almost see the steam coming out of her ears.
“Er, yeah?”
“Like fuck I would. I wished to be a nurse ever since I was young. Yeah, I loved you, Stone, but between you and nursing, nursing won. And that total bullshit about the street race and being arrested. Sure, I’d have stood by you, but not at the risk of my education. The truth is, Stone, you had no faith and, worse, didn’t believe in us. That’s why you did what you did.”
“Bullshit!”
“No, it’s not. You got spooked and chickened out. If you dumped me because of that shit and not because I was fat and didn’t suit your lifestyle anymore, then you’re a coward. You didn’t trust me to know my own mind. Basically, I was a bimbo and unable to decide, leaving the burden on your shoulders. Because, of course, I’d drop everything to stand by a loser of a jailbird.” April made a disgusted noise and stepped back.
“Seriously, you were better off letting me believe it because I was overweight. Now I realise you didn’t value my work ethic, common sense, dedication to education, or anything, really. Apparently, I was a fragile doll with no mission in life but to wait on you. Fuck you, Stone.”
With that, April yanked the door open hard and strode through.
I stared in shock. Did April honestly believe what she’d just said? Had I truly acted that way? As much as everything screamed to chase after her, I held back because I really needed to reconsider what I’d done by seeing it through her eyes.
If April had acted like that, I’d have been furious and would have yelled about not needing protecting. I bit down hard on my bottom lip. Fuck. From April’s point of view, what she believed was perfectly reasonable.
April was the woman I’d loved, and in blind panic, I’d not considered discussing the situation. Instead, I’d made unilateral decisions that still affected us both today. No wonder April was spitting bullets. How the hell could I heal her hurts and convince April that I desired her? One thing was certain: April could and would dig her heels in.
April
I ignored the looks as I stormed through the clubhouse and headed for the exit. How dare Stone have treated our relationship so highhandedly all those years ago? His lame excuses were just that. Not to mention pathetic.
Stares bored into my back as I banged through the doors and made for my car.
“April! Nurse April! Wait!” a woman called, and I turned around and saw Clio racing towards me.
“Are the children okay?” I asked, concerned.
“They’re good. I was worried. Sorry, but you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Which is my sister Callie’s thing, but you’re very pale, and I’m rambling.” Clio smacked her lips together and shut up.
“I’m fine, thanks, but I must be going,” I replied formally, as if I’d been attending afternoon tea. Bemused, I shook my head. Shit, those damn manners Clara had instilled.
“Hellfire brothers are stubborn assholes and idiots at times. I’m sure Harlequin had your best interests at heart. Men make mistakes,” Clio said, smiling warmly.
“A mistake? I don’t call having my best friend, Chelsea, suck Stone’s cock in front of me an error. Nor do I believe fucking Chelsea is messing up. And as for claiming I’d give up my entire life for him, well, that level of arrogance is off the charts,” I snapped, and Clio stepped back with a blink.
“Harlequin did that?” Clio exclaimed.
“And worse. In an hour, I lost my boyfriend and Chelsea because Stone is an asshole who thought he knew best. The fucker screwed Chelsea to ensure that I walked away. Well, Stone got what he wanted, so excuse me!” I said and climbed into my car. Clio stared with sad eyes as I pulled away.
Jinx let me out of the compound, and I sped off, vowing never to return.
Harlequin
“What are you going to do?” Bear rumbled.
“I’d send April gifts, but she’s already getting some from a weirdo. Plus, April’s made it clear she’d destroy anything I’d buy,” I replied, and Bear laughed.
“So, get April something she can’t burn. You understand the woman and her likes and dislikes,” Bear said.
“What’s it matter to you?”
“Don’t go there, prospect. Ain’t no hiding your interest in Medusa, it’s as plain as the nose on your face. You’re gonna have to work at wooing her,” Bear stated.
