“Why don’t you tell me what’s keeping her from answering your calls first?” The dark-haired beauty was a tough one, and she was territorial when it came to her family. It’s one reason her and Mike were so perfect for one another.
“Holly and I dated a long time ago.” Maddison arched a brow in confusion. “The crazy girl from her office, the one I am sure she has mentioned in conversation. Bitch, always giving Chloe shit, has this delusional idea that she and I should be together and it’s because of Chloe that we aren’t. And let me just say that is not true. With or without Chloe, Holly and I wouldn’t be anything.”
“So Chloe just found out that the two of you dated in the past? That doesn’t seem like Chloe. That was before you and her.”
“Yes, it was.” I didn’t finish and watched as she flared her nostrils. Instantly, I saw my mistake.
“Are you standing in my living room right now telling me that you cheated on Chloe with some whore from her work? So help me God, Landon, if you—”
“No.” I held up my hands, half expecting her to launch herself at me and scratch out my eyes. That or sic Mike on me and sit back and watch the destruction. “I may have downplayed what had gone on between Holly and me, but to be honest, it really was nothing.”
“Obviously it was something.”
“Mad,” I pleaded and felt like a complete tool. “She won’t take my calls. She’s hiding out at her parents’, I know to keep me away, and I just need her to listen to me. I need to explain.”
“I won’t be your in between, Landon. I’m sorry. But if sides have to be chosen, then I choose Chloe. Right or wrong, she is where my loyalties lie, and you’re gonna have to figure out a way to climb out of this hole all on your own.”
I respected her, I did. But I also really fucking hated her right now.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chloe
“How’s your shoulder?” I felt the bed behind me dip as my mother soothingly rubbed my back. I could feel myself slowly falling apart with the simple touch and did my best to hold myself together.
“It’s better. The pain medicine helped.”
“How exactly did this happen again?”
Lying to my mom, or my father, it felt like the cardinal sin. I loved my parents; I’d always been truthful and sought their guidance when I wasn’t sure what I should do. Only this time, I kept all my doubts and fears to myself.
“Someone dropped a tool tray on the floor and must have missed a few pieces when cleaning things up. I stepped on them, slid, and before I had the chance to stop myself, I was colliding with the frame of the door with my shoulder.”
“Is that why you left early?” I nodded, unable to say another word, already feeling the burn in my throat from finding it so easy to make up a story. It wasn’t completely made up, though. I did knock over a tray, the tools fell to the floor, and I collided with the door. I just left out a few things of importance.
“Do you work tomorrow?” Again I nodded, and I thought of the earlier message I had received.
Chloe, this is Dr. Andrews. We would like you to come in early tomorrow for a meeting about today’s events. Let’s say seven-fifteen.
It was all just too much.
“You could stay here, you know, sleep in your old room.”
“I think I’ll just take a nap, maybe stay for dinner. I don’t have anything to wear, and it would be easier to get ready at home where all my things are.” If my parents had their way, I would still be living at home.
After a few more minutes of conversation, she excused herself, and I slowly dozed off.
The vibration of my phone against my hip woke me, and I looked down, seeing Landon’s name flashing on the screen. I knew I’d have to talk to him eventually, but at my parents’ wasn’t where I wanted to do it. I’d wait until later tonight to call him. Maybe by then I would feel a little more rational and a lot less hurt.
At least I hoped I would.
***
“It’s been brought to my attention that you and Holly had a disagreement yesterday.” I stared ahead at both doctors, refusing to look at the bimbo at my side. When I say bimbo, I was referring to her choice of attire today. Tight, and I did mean tight, yellow sweater, a dark bra underneath, and the neckline was entirely too low. It would appear she showed up for this little meeting with a hidden agenda…seduce the doctors.
Considering neither one of them seemed to be able to remove their eyes from her tits, I would have to say it was working in her favor.
“Now Holly has brought us up to speed on the reasoning behind the misunderstanding. She has also explained that this is not the first time.”
Breathe, Chloe, just keep breathing.
“Holding a grunge because the man you are dating now is still hung up on her is hardly fair. After all, she isn’t the one pining.” I blinked not just once but rapidly. Like I was attempting to clear away the fog or the bullshit—same thing. “Holly is a very attractive woman, and she seems like the kind of woman that would leave a mark on any man.”
“Thank you, Dr. Andrews.” The sugary sweet in her voice made me want to vomit or punch her. Yeah, punching her sounded so much more appealing.
“After discussing what should be the
