She confessed he’d left a few messages on her phone the next day, but she ignored them. I’m happy about that because he showed his true colours in the end. No amount of grovelling can make up for that.

I get the impression she’s upset about the breakup, but more so by the way it came about. I don’t blame her. What he did was a low act. He never should’ve left her like that. I’m pretty confident she’ll get over him quick. I’ll make sure of it. If I have my way, she’ll forget he even exists. For the first time in my life, I truly want this. I want her for myself. I want to own her, possess her, and be able to call her mine.

There’s no talk of us over the course of the day, but I’m cool with that. We need to rebuild our friendship first, and she needs to get over that wanker. I don’t want to be her rebound. If we do end up getting together, I want the timing to be right. I certainly don’t want it to be when she’s still hung up on someone else. It’s going to be all or nothing.

After dropping her and LJ off at home later that afternoon, I head back out. I want to spend some time with my mum tonight, but there’s one stop I need to make first. I’ll never be able to sleep if I don’t get this off my chest.

Pulling up outside the building, I take a deep breath to try and calm myself down before going inside. To be honest I’m anything but calm when I push through the door. I’ve been stewing on this all day.

The reception area is empty, so I make my way towards the room where I presume he’ll be. I don’t even bother knocking. “Oh God,” he mumbles when he looks up and sees me standing in the doorway.

“Sorry, but not even God can help you now,” I say stepping into the room and locking the door behind me. He swallows nervously, taking a step backwards. As much as I’d like to kick his arse right now, that’s not why I came. Messing with him is much more fun.

“You … you can’t just barge in here,” he stammers.

“I can do whatever the hell I like,” I retort taking another step forward. He raises his hands in front of him as he retreats another step. I follow suit and take two more steps. He’s cornered. The first thing I notice when I get closer is his black eye. It brings a smile to my face. The swelling’s gone down, but it’s a beauty. Compliments of Ross I presume. Maybe I should give him a matching one. Fucker. He deserves it after what he did. Anything could’ve happened to Indiana after he left her stranded like that.

When he realises I’m not going away, he squares his shoulders and stands tall. It doesn’t intimidate me in the slightest. He can act like he’s not affected by my presence, but he is. His trembling hands and the uncertainty on his face says it all. It wouldn’t surprise me if he pisses his pants. Fucking coward. 

“You owe Indiana four hundred dollars,” I state in the calmest voice I can muster.

“Excuse me? I don’t owe her a damn thing.” I beg to differ, arsehole.

“Are you going to hand it over, or am I going to have to come and get it myself?” I take another step towards him, letting him know I mean business. He owes her a hell of a lot more than money, but it’s a start. Knowing Indi like I do, she probably doesn’t even want the money back, but I’m going to get it for her. After everything he’s done, she should at least get reimbursed for that.

“Fine,” he says as he reaches for his wallet in his back pocket. “I’ll give you the money and then you can leave. If you don’t, I’ll call the police.” I chuckle at his reply.

“You really think they’re going to show up after the way you treated Indiana?” He inhales a sharp breath as the colour drains from his face. He knows I’m right. There’s no way they’ll be rushing over here after the way he treated Ross’ little girl.

He pulls the money from his wallet and throws it on the examination table in front of him. “There, now go.” I extend my hand, staring him down; I don’t need to speak the words, my look says it all. His shoulders slump and his hands shake as he reaches out and picks up the money off the table. The uncertainty in his eyes as he slowly approaches me has me smirking. Pussy.

When he’s close enough to put the money in my hand, he slaps it in my palm before taking a step backwards. I’m too quick for him though. Using my free arm, I reach out and fist my hand in his white coat, dragging him towards me.

“What were you thinking leaving her stranded at night on her own?” I seethe. “Anything could’ve happened to her.”

“I was hurt … angry. I didn’t really think.” Is that all he’s got? His piss poor excuse makes my fucking blood boil. Reefing him closer, I growl in his face. “Please don’t hurt me,” he begs like the motherfucking sissy he is. Shoving the money in the pocket of my jeans, I hold him in place with my other hand.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t?”

“Because I’m sorry I left her there. I’ve sent her a few messages, but she didn’t reply.”

“You think a message is enough after what you did?”

“I’d go around and tell her to her face, but her dad said he wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet in me if I went anywhere near her.” That statement has me smiling. “If I could make it up to her, I would.” Like fucking hell.

“Wrong fucking answer, arsehole.” Without hesitation, I raise my fist and pound it into his face. “Now you have a matching pair,” I say. Fuck that felt good. He deserves a hell of a lot more after what he did to her, but I decide to give him a break. He’s just lost the best thing that’s ever happened to him. I’ve been exactly where he is right now, so I know firsthand that he’s gonna regret it for the rest of his life. Letting him go, he stumbles backwards.

“My eye,” he cries.

“You’re lucky that’s all you got. Stay the fuck away from Indiana. If you don’t, next time I won’t be so forgiving.” My tone is full of warning as I turn and unlock the door and head back to my car.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Indiana

I let LJ sleep in his doggy bed in my bedroom last night. He’s too little to sleep outside. Plus it’s coming into winter, so the nights can get pretty cold. I love this little guy already. He brings back so many memories of Lassie when he was a pup, all the good ones that have been clouded by his death. I want to embrace all those wonderful memories and try and forget the horrible ones I have of that day.

For years I’ve wanted another dog, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to feel like I was replacing Lassie. I could never do that. I’m grateful that Carter took that choice away from me. He has no idea how much his beautiful, thoughtful gesture means. He can be the sweetest, gentlest, most caring man when he’s not being an overbearing, infuriating arse. I can’t bring myself to look at his sketches of Lassie yet, but I will in time.

I didn’t see Carter again after he dropped me off yesterday afternoon, but when I was going to bed last night, he was in his bedroom. When I waved to him, he blew me a kiss. It sent my heart into a flutter. It beats the finger he used to give me.

I laid in bed for hours thinking about him being only a few metres away—just two walls and a small distance separating us. It’s too soon after Mark to go there with him. I want to take it slow. I need to know he’s going to stick around this time. I can’t give him my heart again until I’m sure. If I did and he left me again, I know it would break me.

I’m awoken early Sunday morning by LJ’s little cries. A smile graces my face as soon as I look over the side of the bed and find him sitting there looking up at me. He has the sweetest face. After taking him out back to do his business, I feed him before carrying him back into my room and climbing into bed. My headaches are still playing havoc. Some days the pain is bearable, other days not so much. I know it’s all the stress I’m under. The sooner I can get my life back to normal, the better.