The blonde woman spun around and started to make her way back into the house. Dropping the bags to the ground, Genevieve followed behind the woman, stopping her from closing the door.
“I want to speak to him.”
The smirk returned to Emma’s lips. “Honey. He’s sleeping, we had an exhausting night. Do yourself a favour and don’t embarrass yourself more. Take your skank ass home.” Without another word the other woman slammed the door in Genevieve’s astonished face.
This can’t be happening, not again. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Not again, Graham was supposed to be different. But how else could she explain Emma nearly naked answering the door? Graham’s car was in the yard so he was home. Gathering the bags of groceries and the Frederick’s bag from the ground, with a hollow heart, Genevieve made her way back to her car.
When she reached the car, she considered turning back and demanding to go in and speak to him face to face, refusing to leave until that happened. Hear it from his mouth. But what good would it do, really? All that would be accomplished would be her embarrassing herself further.
“Fuck him,” she growled to herself, “fuck him and fuck Alex and fuck every man in this motherfucking world.” Her friends were right, no-attachment sex and you don’t get disappointed.
There’s no point in giving a man your heart, all they did was tear it in two and throw it back at you. Fuck them all!
~*~*~*~*~
~ Dane ~
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Dane shouted, rubbing his eyes as he made his way downstairs and to the front door. “I swear to God, if it’s someone peddling some bullshit magazine or preaching the Goddamned gospel there’ll be hell to pay.”
The previous night had been hell, the streets seemed to be crazy. Every insane and unstable person seemed to be out and the calls never stopped. It had been a long time since he’d been so exhausted. He glanced at the clock mounted on the wall next to the door. 6am. He’d gotten less than an hour’s sleep.
“This is bullshit,” he grumbled, unlocking the door and pulling it open.
His hazy state immediately cleared at the sight of Genevieve on his doorstep. She was fighting back tears and the feelings he’d had for her before she chose his brother came rushing back to him and it tore at him to see her hurting. He’d spend the past couple of weeks telling himself she was just another girl to him, but he knew he was lying to himself.
Quickly he stepped aside and motioned for her to enter.
“Oh Dane!” She threw herself into his arms, burying her face against his neck. “I didn’t know where to go, or who to talk to.”
He held her tight to him, stroking her dark hair and basking in the sweet smell of her shampoo. She felt so good in his arms, regardless of the reason she was there. He wasn’t sure what it had been about her that had gotten under his skin, but she had and despite making up with his brother, he still couldn’t bring himself to go see his brother when he knew she’d be there. He knew now why he kept himself at a distance, he didn’t want to allow himself to be in a position to be hurt.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s G-Graham…” The floodgates opened up and sobs overtook her, her petite body trembling with each sob. “Why does it keep happening? Why? First Alex and him?” She pulled back to look him in the eye, her green eyes red and brimming with a new set of tears. “What’s wrong with me?”
Dane frowned. What in the hell did Graham do to her? He was scared to ask and bring about another round of tears and sobs.
“Not a thing, you’re incredible, Ginny.” He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her temple. “Come on and sit for a minute. Do you want some water, coffee?”
“No… I don’t know. I just…” She sniffed and raked her hand through her hair.
Closing the door, he led her into the living room and sat down on the sofa, pulling her down with him. She sniffed as she sat and cuddled into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face into his bare chest.
“Do you want to talk about it? What happened?”
She shook her head and clung tighter to him. He was dying of curiosity, he had no idea what Graham could have possibly done. He let her go so she wouldn’t be hurt, because he thought she had a better chance with Graham. Graham was the faithful one who wanted a commitment. It made no sense.
Could he have been wrong? Should he have fought harder to win her affections? Graham hadn’t said a word about them breaking up or her being upset with him, although they still weren’t on the best of terms with each other.
“Can you just hold me for now?” She looked up, pain etched in her face. “Just for a bit.”
He touched the side of her face, swiping at the tear that was making its way down her cheek with his thumb. “Of course. Take all the time you need.” Grabbing a throw pillow he arranged it and laid back, pulling her down with him so she was stretched out next to him, snuggling the top of her head under his chin.
Why in the hell did I let Graham have her? She felt so good and right in his arms. He didn’t say a word to her, just waited. Her sniffs slowed and stopped, replaced by soft snores. With a sigh and too tired to remain awake any longer and seeing no point in it, Dane closed his eyes and decided to go back to the sleep she’d interrupted. There’d be time to get to the bottom of things when she woke.
~*~*~*~*~
~ Graham ~
“Thanks a lot, man.” Graham gave his partner Officer Mooney a nod as he exited the car and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of his house. They’d attended a football game before their shift so it made more sense just to carpool rather than take separate cars to the game and then to work since their shifts were at the same time. They didn’t carpool often, but in cases like this it made sense.
He was across the lawn and about to step onto the porch when he caught sight of Emma’s Fiat in his driveway.
“What the fuck…” he frowned as he walked toward the car and discovered it empty.
Turning back to the house his eyes landed on the large rock he hid his spare key under and noticed it was overturned. Emma was there, in his house waiting for him.
You have got to be kidding me, he groaned inwardly. After all this time why in the hell is she here? If anything he’d have expected to see her showing up at Dane’s house, but certainly not his.
The last thing he wanted to do was deal with Emma today. His plan was to go straight to sleep and get up mid-afternoon to get ready for his date with Genevieve. Since it was their one-