"I was working." I didn't like being questioned by her. Actually, I didn't really like her at all.
"And, you didn't have time to text Liv...or answer her texts?"
I bristled and kicked off my shoes. I closed the door, making a point of locking it behind me. "I am going to go to her."
"She was drunk out of her mind when I came home tonight." Trisha's voice was low. Her anger was sizzling. If I got any closer to her, I was confident she would burn me. "Liv does not drink, Jace. She drank an entire bottle of wine and fought me for another. She only went to bed because I promised to wait up for you."
"Why-,"
She cut me off. "I really didn't think you were going to show up, but I waited because I promised I would. It's after one in the morning, Jace. What the fuck were you thinking?"
She was more than mad. She was furious and she was in protection mode. I couldn't blame her. "Look, I'm sorry. I had a few things I had to figure out before I could come here."
"And, I am assuming those things you were trying to figure out revolved around Liv, right?" I didn't say anything as she glared up at me. "That's what I thought. Let me tell you something, Jace. Olivia is not like you. She is so much better than you or any of the whores you have had in the past,"
I cut her off. "Don't you think I fucking know that? I've done everything within my power to forget about her. I've done everything I could do to stay away and let her live her life, but I can't. I know she deserves better than me."
Trisha took in my fisted hands, but didn't back down. "Then, be better, Jace. Because I promise you," she paused. For effect I assumed. "If you hurt her, I will kill you."
"I don't doubt it." And, I didn't. There was some feral protection housed within Trisha for Olivia. A protection I couldn't begin to understand.
"I gave up everything to help Olivia get away from men like you. And, if you don't start treating her as though she means more than your average conquest, I will do everything within my power to get her away from you." Her voice was low and threatening. "Have I made myself clear?"
I clenched my jaw. "What do you mean, you gave up everything to get her away from men like me?"
"Her father is just like you." Trisha's eyes were cold. "And she hated him."
With those words, Trisha walked away from me. My blood boiled under my skin as I took in her words. They were like a punch to the gut, but ten times more painful. It was in that moment I realized...I did love Olivia. I was in love with her because I wanted to be better for her. I wanted to be everything and more than she deserved. I just had to prove to her I could be different than her father...but, I didn't know if I would succeed. I didn't know the type of man her father was. I had nothing to compare myself to.
I flicked off the lamp in the entryway before walking slowly through the condo to Olivia's bedroom. I opened the door to find her sprawled on the bed with her cat curled in her chest. As soon as I stepped into the room, the cat gave a growl of sorts before jumping off the bed and wandering away. My eyes were focused on Olivia. Dim light spilled over her features from the lamp on her end table, making her dark brown hair appear to have streaks of red. She looked peaceful in sleep. Her lips were soft and her eyes were relaxed. I wanted her to feel that way when she was with me. I wanted to be the one to relax her.
Fuck. I had been an ass not texting her and letting her know I was all right. I should have listened to my Mom. A small chuckle escaped my lips at the thought and I tugged at my tie. When it was loose, I let it fall to the floor before working on the buttons of my shirt.
Olivia stirred and I froze. I didn't want to wake her up. She looked so damned peaceful.
Her eyes fluttered. "Jace?" She sat up on the bed, her brown eyes wide and dark. "You're here."
"I said I would be here, Angel."
"What time is it?"
The air was tight in my chest. I felt as though I was about to suffocate. If she was angry with me and told me to leave, I think I might die. I just realized without a doubt that I am in love with her, and I have been stupid enough to throw our already fragile relationship into a grinder. Shit.
"It's late."
She nodded. "How late, Jace?"
"It's after one."
She dropped her gaze and I couldn't help but notice how her bottom lip quivered when she took in a deep breath. "Where were you? Why didn't you call?" I sighed and fear tainted her eyes. "I know I don't have a right to demand anything of you...but, I waited."
Well fuck! I was in the wrong and here she was afraid I would leave her alone because of a fucking question? What kind of a man was I? The answer to the question flooded into my heart from the blackest corners. I am becoming my father.