“When was this?”
“Six months ago. And as for Tyler confronting me last night. He was being a little bitch, trying to flip the switch, and do to me with you what he perceives I did to him with Allison.”
“What does he think you did to him with Allison?”
“They broke up after that. I have no details.”
“He behaved badly last night,” I say. “But as I think about last night, I don’t think he wanted to push you to fight. And I think taking me to see you came from a true place of concern.”
“You’re right. He threw down and got more than he gambled for. He didn’t want me to fight because the repercussions might affect him. He wouldn’t want to damage the big paycheck I represent for Hawk Legal.”
But that wasn’t how it’s always been for these two and I’d tell him that I believe Tyler still cares about him, and not the paycheck, but I don’t think it’s what he wants to hear right now. Dash releases me, grabs my phone from the sink counter, and returns to press it into my palm. “Call him and get your job back.”
“I don’t understand. I thought you’d be relieved I quit?”
“I got you out of his house. That’s what I wanted. You like what you’re doing at Hawk Legal and you’re good at it. I trust you.”
He trusts me.
Words that hit raw nerves.
Trust matters. I want to be trusted and to give trust, but trust has been cruel to me, so very cruel. Dash slides my hair behind my ear, a delicate touch that sends a shiver down my spine. “Maybe one day, you’ll trust me, too.”
His cellphone rings in his pocket. “That will be Bella with news about her record deal. I’ll talk to her. You set-up your meeting with Tyler.”
He steps around me and answers his call.
I rotate to watch him exit the bathroom, with the realization that he’s giving me privacy to call Tyler. He’s giving me trust. But he’s also asking for it in return. The thing is, I do trust Dash, in the general sense of the word’s meaning. I don’t believe he’s lying to me or pretending to be anything he’s not. I don’t believe he says things that are not true. He has secrets though, things he isn’t ready to talk about. But then, I’m no different, I remind myself. I still have my own secrets, and I’m holding them close to my chest, tightly guarded. And I’m really not sure I’ll ever want to talk about them. Not even with Dash.
Exactly why I shove the past aside and dial Tyler.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Tyler doesn’t answer my call. He simply doesn’t answer. I’m really not sure what to make of that. I walk to the bedroom to find Dash standing at the window, staring out over the city, rain pitter-pattering the windows. I join him, stepping to his side. “He didn’t answer. What happened with Bella?”
“The record studio is lowballing her client.”
“But they offered? That’s great right?”
“She’s not ready to be excited yet.” He pulls me in front of him, staring out over the city. For a long time, we just stand there, before he says, “Have you ever been to Boston, Allie?”
I rotate to face him, leaning on the steel beam that runs down the window. “I haven’t. Do you miss it?”
“Only the memories of my mother. My father still has a place there which is why I just told Bella to turn down a signing there.”
“Oh. Don’t you want to go back there for you? For your mother?”
“I prefer the memories of her without him. I need to go run, baby. You up for a workout?”
I don’t point out his present physical condition because as he said he’s a physical person. He deals with whatever is bothering him by moving his body. And so, I say, “Yes. I’d love to workout.” Which is true. I’ve been eating like crap and my arteries have to be clogging up. What I don’t do is ask questions. This is what he needs, and it’s not fighting. I’m along for the ride, and happily.
We dress for our activity and head to his home gym, okay our home gym as long as I’m living here, and it’s pretty impressively equipped. Dash is on the treadmill in about a minute flat. He runs like he’s running for his life and I don’t even think about asking how much of his frustration has to do with Boston, his father, and the brother he lost. I don’t have to. I know it does. I just don’t know how it all comes together and drives him to this underground fighting self-punishment. Tyler said as much. This all started when Dash’s brother died. Dash lets his opponent beat him up until he’s had enough, and he finally fights back.