Page 40 of Reckless Love
“Elle. I’m so sorry. That guy is an idiot if he doesn’t see what he has in you.”
“Hadin me. He has me no longer. I broke up with him.” I waved my hand over my elephant pajamas. “All ofthisis no longer available to him.”
And honestly, it didn’t feel like a huge loss at the moment.
I climbed on my bed and Rhodes moved next to me. He put his arm around me and I inhaled his cedar and citrus smell. The feel of his arms around me was so perfect. I allowed myself twenty seconds near him and then I forced myself to move into my own space and ate my ice cream.
We started watching “Bob’s Burgers” and I fell asleep to Rhodes playing with my hair.
When I woke up, he was gone and there was a note next to the bed.
Elle,
Any fool who would cheat on you is not worthy of you.
Remember that.
And remember that I love you, I’ve got your back, and I will kick that fool into next week if you say the word.
Yours,
Rhodes
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FLAILING
ELLE
Now
I’ve avoidedRhodes all week. His texts, his calls. I know I’m being weird and it’s like I can’t even stop myself. Every time I think back on the other night, I die all over again.
I wasn’t expecting to have Rhodes in my caranytime soon, and I’ve been listening through the audiobook ofIt Was Always Youbefore it goes live next month. I’ve been so excited about getting an audio deal, I’ve tried to listen during every break from work, and I have to say, these narrators have brought the book to life in ways I wasn’t expecting.
Like the sex scenes, for example.
Butdamn…of all the idiotic things for me to forget to check before letting Rhodes in my car.
He’s been funny, saying things like,Have I lost you to that sexy man voice?
And,Where are you? Wait, you’re driving again, aren’t you? Damn, my dirty bird.
I’ve cracked up and simultaneously endured another mortification with each message. Neither one of us likes when the other doesn’t respond right away. We’re very co-dependent that way. So I know it’s probably bugging him that I’ve gone radio silent.
I drive home from the chiropractor’s office, exhausted. I stayed up late writing, then worked a few hours at the office after practice this morning. I barely have time to change out of my work clothes for dinner at my parents’ and still make it on time.
I love Dr. Alan and Dr. Sarah so much. They’re a dream to work for, but it’s getting harder to keep up with it all. The chiropractor’s office has been the perfect job and they’ve been willing to have me fill in when I can, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep pulling it off. I’m drained when I get home from practices and it’s been harder to write because of that. Being a Mustangs cheerleader is really more than a full-time job when it’s all said and done, and as much as I love it, I don’t want anything to get in the way of my writing.
I got a call from my agent last night, excited aboutpotential movie interest inIt Was Always You. I can’t even let myself get too excited yet. She insisted that these things take time, but the fact that I’m even on a movie exec’s radar just blows my mind. She also brought up, as she always does, all the requests she gets for me to make appearances at different bookstores and libraries and book events all over the country, and I let her down gently again, saying I’m still not willing to go public with my identity.
I pull into my parents’ driveway and walk up to their door, giving it a slight knock before carefully opening it. It always feels weird to come home and not just walk right in the door, but walking in on your parents naked on the couch is not something you can unsee.
“Hey,” I call. “Anybody home?”
“In the kitchen,” my mom calls.
I walk through the living room and inhale when I step into the kitchen. It smells like pasta and garlic bread. My stomach growls. I haven't eaten like that since I started cheering. But what's one night going to do? I did pay for the eggnog the other night, but it was worth it. If I had been sober for that car ride home with Rhodes, the whole experience would have been a thousand times worse.