“I’m pissed at her, really fucking pissed.” Robbie’s bitter tone cuts through the bathroom. “Part of me wants to tell you to fuck her out of your system, but I know it’s not possible. That’s not how this works.”
“Nope, you’d know. When we find it, we find it.”
“So what can I do?”
“Get out of my fucking bathroom so I don’t embarrass you with the size of my dick?” I shut off the water and grin at my lame attempt at humor.
“Never happen, but you need anything, you say the word.”
“Got it.” I slide the curtain halfway and grab the closest towel I can reach.
“Jesus, you’re pitiful. Is that towel even clean?” He wrinkles his nose.
“Hope so. You gonna watch or get the shit ready for my bandage?”
“I’ll meet you in the bedroom. It has to be more sanitary that this atrocity.” He leaves while his words hang in the air.
Atrocity is a word Presley would throw out on a whim…
Maybe it’s time I find her and see exactly what happens when we’re face to face.
“Pull over here and let me out,” I instruct Tripp and point to the ‘No Parking Zone’ in front of the K9 offices.
“I’ll wait.”
“Suit yourself.” I fold out of the car, cursing the fact I still can’t drive myself.
I watch him park and give myself a second to mentally prepare for what I’m about to do. It was my choice to show up unannounced and take Presley off-guard. It was the only way to gauge an authentic reaction to seeing me after the way we left things in the hospital. Her calls, messages, and gifts have gone unacknowledged, but I know seeing the look on her face will tell me what I need to know.
Is there anything worth fighting for?
The receptionist greets me with a sexy smile and doesn’t hide her blatant stare as I approach.
“Hi, I’m here to see Presley Chambers.”
Her smile falters when she calls to the back. Then her eyes light up and she hangs up, giving me a pouty face. “You missed her. She’s at lunch with her boyfriend.”
“Her what?”
“The volunteer in back said she left with a man about forty-five minutes ago.”
I don’t jump to conclusions, because obviously, it could be Johnny. I thank the lady and shut down her attempts to talk further, heading to Tripp’s truck. He’s on the phone, leaning against the back, and when I approach, his eyes go wide.
“Son of a goddammed bitch to all fucking hell!” he hisses.
I give him a crooked look then see what he’s focused on. Presley is walking across the street with her face directed up at the sky, laughing loudly. Her arm is linked with none other than the fucking safe and boring Russell glowing at her side.
I watch him kiss her cheek before she turns to go into the building. He stares a little too long then swivels his face to mine.
We lock eyes; he knows who I am and doesn’t hide his cocky smirk. The urge to beat his ass simmers from deep inside, but I swallow hard and give him a chin jerk, getting into the car.
Tripp slams his own door and sits quietly for a second before yelling. “Fuck the doctor’s orders. Fuck the antibiotics and pain pills. You want to get drunk?”
“No, man, take me home. I have some arrangements to make and a house to back out of.”
Chapter 31
Presley