Page 29 of Avenging Azalea

I closed my eyes and swallowed down the pain.

F: Thanks.

“Come on, we’re burning beach time,” Steph called from the door of the bus.

Stupid idea or not, I needed to get Titus out of my head. Maybe Steph was right. Letting loose and having fun might be the key to healing my heart.

“Coming,” I said, stuffing the phone back into my pocket.

TITUS

“Fuck!”

Levi ran into my office and looked around. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. At least nothing work-related,” I said, and Levi slumped, clutching his shirt.

“I’ve never heard you yell. I thought someone broke into your office or something.”

I shook my head in response and stared at my phone.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“No, I’m not. But there’s nothing you can do. I’m taking the rest of the day off,” I said, locking my desk and standing up.

Levi raised an eyebrow at me like I’d just said the craziest thing in the whole world.

“I don’t think you’ve taken a single day off work since I started here.”

Bella and Daisy followed me as I marched across the office and grabbed my coat.

“I just need some fresh air for a few hours. If anyone calls for me, you don’t know where I am.”

Stomping past Levi, I headed to the elevator.

I stared at Fawn’s message all the way down to the garage. She confirmed all my suspicions and didn’t want to see me or talk to me. Living her life without me was exactly what I wanted for her, and yet…now that she was doing it…I didn’t fucking like it. No, I fucking hated it. It made me feel sick.

The door dinged, and Rob came running over as I stepped out.

“Titus, I’m so sorry I didn’t expect you this early. Give me a minute, and I’ll grab your SUV,” he said, tossing cookies in the air for Bella and Daisy.

“No, I need the exercise. Do you have the fob?”

He pulled it out of his pocket but looked reluctant to hand it over.

“Are you sure? I’m happy to run and get it for you.”

“Yes, I’m sure.” He looked at the black fob and then slowly held it out to me. “It’s okay, I’m not angry.”

“I hate screwing up is all.”

I smirked. “You and me both, but you didn’t screw up,” I said, squeezing Rob’s shoulder to reassure him before I walked away.

It had been a long time since I had to look after my girls on my own. Three years since Fawn took over. She either had it all done by the time I got home, or we walked them together and prepared their food while we chatted. I loved spending time with them, but it was the doing it alone part and what it meant that bothered me.

Look…I’m just going to say it. I know that you know how I feel about you. At least I think you realize that I care for you more than just being your ward. If you didn’t…well, now you do. So, if you want to talk about your engagement, then please let’s not. I’m happy for you, and I wish you all the best with this woman. Truly. But I’d rather not talk about it and just get on with my life like you’re doing with yours.

I smacked my hand off the top of the steering wheel.