“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.