I unzip my makeup bag and hastily search for my concealer.
To be fair, I think I lost my mind before I encountered Maddox’s dick—all nine inches of it.I mean, that’s the only logical explanation for what happened.No sane woman has her car break down in the middle of the night and decides, rather than calling someone for help, to fuck the man who broke her heart.
And when one loses their mind, they tend to spiral out of control.They continue to make ridiculous decisions.Decisions that include having sex with Maddox again, giving him the opportunity to leave this giant bruise on my neck.
But that’s nothing compared to what followed.Hearing Maddox confess to coming to the hospital after my son was born and claiming he should’ve been ours, sent me reeling.I lost all sense of control, and the truth just flew out of my mouth.
I felt stripped bare.I didn’t know what to think or how to feel about anything that we discussed.I still don’t, but I can’t shake it from my mind.All I keep thinking about is the way Maddox looked when he told me Dylan should’ve been ours, and one particular sentence plays on a constant loop.
Life is short, Amelia.I don’t want to waste what’s left of mine avoiding you when I can spend it loving you.
I want to believe him.I want to believe him so fucking bad.
“God, I’m such a fool.”
I dab some concealer on my neck and do my best to blend it in with my fingers.It’s still noticeable, so I try to cover it with my hair, fanning the long strands over my shoulders.After five minutes, I give up.I gather my makeup and exit the bathroom, nearly colliding with my co-worker Jess.
“There you are,” she says.“Your ex is at the bar asking for you.”
The man is like a cancer that won’t go away.
“I can tell him you’re not here, but I don’t think he plans on leaving.He ordered wings and a beer.”
Of course he did.I hope he chokes on them.
“It’s fine, but if you haven’t already put that order in, please don’t.The sooner I get him out of here, the better.”
“I’ll cancel the order.”She holds out her hands, motioning for me to give her my makeup bag.“I’ll put that in the office for you.Good job with the makeup.You can barely see the hickey.”
Groaning, I hand over the bag.“You noticed it too?”
“Girl, I’ve been wanting to give you a high-five since I walked in the door, but seeing as you are sort of my boss, I thought that would be inappropriate.”
I laugh.If that’s inappropriate, then what Maddox and I did on the pool table is downright criminal.Jess heads for the office, and I make my way back to the bar.
“Can I get another round, Amelia?”one of my regulars calls out, sliding his empty glass forward.I pause mid-step and turn to reach for the bottle.As I pour Ed his refill, I glance over to where Russell sits.He lifts his hand and waves as if we’re old pals.
I might be losing my mind, but he’s fucking delusional.
Once Ed is situated with his drink, I walk over to Russell.
“You have some pair of balls showing your face here after what you did,” I say, cutting straight to the point.
“I came to apologize.”
I scoff.“You?Apologize?You don’t know the meaning of the word.”
“I lost my cool with Dylan, and that’s not right.”
I cross my arms against my chest.“Then don’t you think you should apologize to him?”
“He’s not answering my calls.”
If I didn’t speak to Dylan twenty minutes ago that probably would worry me, but I know he’s home, avoiding Sarah who is binging old episodes ofDawson’s Creek.I wonder why he didn’t mention Russell called, though.
“That checks,” I say.“Dylan isn’t a pushover, and he’s no fucking pussy.You showed him exactly who you are, and he decided he doesn’t want to put up with your bullshit.You might think I’m a bad mom, and that I’ve failed him, but I think that alone shows I’m not doing such a terrible job.”
“I shouldn’t have said that.”He glances around before leaning over the bar, and our eyes lock.“I know you’re a good mom, and I also know that I haven’t made it easy for you.Dylan is lucky to have you.”
