The Man I Thought I Trusted - E. L. Todd Page 0,71
that it would always divide us. He could never really let me in because of everything that had happened, and I wouldn’t let him in ever again.
“Maybe we should just get together and be done with it.”
I raised my glass from the table. “I’ll drink to that.”
25
Dax
It was an out-of-body experience.
I was so devastated that I didn’t know how to behave.
Everything unfolded in front of my eyes, getting worse and worse, as I watched her pull away more and more. It was like a horror film, losing the love of my life. And when the ending finally arrived, I knew there was nothing I could do to stop it.
So I let her go.
There would always be obstacles between us because of my wealth. There would always be a fine line between us—my family’s wealth and then her. I would always have one foot on each side of the line, unable to fully give myself to a single person.
It sucked.
I didn’t go to work the next day. I kept up with things through my laptop but never got out of my pajamas. I didn’t shower or brush my teeth.
Whatever.
By the end of the day, Renee texted me. Everything okay?
Just had stuff to do at home today.
Are you sure? Because you never don’t come in.
I said I’m fine. I resented my sister because she was responsible for all of this, but I also didn’t blame her. She was just protecting her own interests, which were unfortunately attached to the decisions I’d made. I’ll see you later.
I sat at the table and looked out the window, watching the sun fade and darkness spread over the city. I had nowhere to go. I had no purpose. Carson had been the most important person in my life, and she’d just walked away.
I didn’t go after her because it was pointless.
There was no hope this time.
She was right. It was too complicated, and I didn’t handle everything well. I should have been more involved instead of letting my sister take charge. The only reason I was so clinical about the whole thing was because I didn’t want to be involved at all. The assets didn’t matter to me. But from Carson’s point of view, it did look like an attack.
It did look like she didn’t matter.
I grabbed my phone again and texted Charlie. How is she?
The three dots came and went, like he wrote a message, deleted it, wrote it again, went back and forth because he didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry it didn’t work out between you guys because you were great together, but I’m Carson’s best friend and I don’t think we should talk anymore. Take care, man.
I got dumped again, this time by her friends, and that hurt just as much.
Because they had become my friends.
My family.
The next few days were lifeless.
I went to work but didn’t give a damn about what I was doing.
The company could burn to the ground for all I cared.
The idea of having to go out and meet someone new at some point sounded like torture. I’d already found exactly what I wanted for the rest of my life, and I didn’t want to move on. I didn’t want to lose that. I just wanted it back.
I went to work then went home, scrounging for food in the fridge instead of cooking like I usually did. Scotch became my best friend.
My only friend.
My phone lit up with a text from Charlie. I’m outside your building. Do you mind if I come up and grab her stuff?
Living with her shit was the worst part. Her clothes were still on the floor, and I didn’t touch them. Her beauty products were still on the counter in my bathroom. I wanted them to disappear so I could go back to my lonely existence, but the idea of her stuff being gone forever seemed like another version of goodbye. Sure.
Be up in a sec.
I stayed on the couch in my sweatpants, rocking a full beard because I’d stopped shaving. The game was on, and my glass of scotch was never empty, no matter how much I drank.
Minutes later, the elevator beeped, the doors opened, and Charlie stepped into the living room. He took a quick scan then settled his gaze on me. For a brief moment, he wore a look of pity, like he could see my struggle in just a simple look.
I dragged my hands down my face before I stood up. “Need help?”