Page 88 of Staying for You

I’m barely able to get the words out when I ask, “Is he okay?”

“He is. Or he will be. Broken leg, dislocated shoulder, and a concussion but he’ll be okay. Eventually. He has rehab and physical therapy he’ll have to go through.”

I move to my butt and sit down then start weeping. Crying so hard, snot is coming out and I’m having a hard time getting in a good breath.

Olivia’s soft voice breaks through my crying. “Cami, there’s more.”

“No.” I can’t take more. The last few days have been such a roller coaster of emotions, I truly can’t handle anything else.

“Do you know where your ex-husband is?”

That gets me to stop the tears abruptly. “Why?”

“Well, I think… from what I know, anyway…”

I stand from the floor and begin to pace. “Olivia. Out with it.”

“Owen’s alert. And he said he had a little bit of a tiff with him before he fell, kind of pushed, actually, down the stairs.”

“What?!” I shout.

“Cami, he’s talked to the police. He might have been knocked unconscious but he remembers exactly what happened. They’re working on the details.”

“Details?”

“Of how it all happened. That your ex came up to the resort and was wanting to know where you were then he became aggressive. I guess Owen punched him in the stomach once, which sounds like it wasn’t enough, but Scott, your ex, right?”

“Right.”

“He had an advantage because Owen was standing at the top of the stairs on his deck. According to Owen, he charged him and Owen lost his footing. He went end over end down the stairs and when he came to, he was in an ambulance.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” I whisper just as my doorbell rings. “Just a second, okay, Olivia? Don’t go anywhere, alright?”

“I’m here.”

I make my way to the front door, wiping under my eyes and trying to get control of myself. The doorbell rings again and I pick up my pace.

I open the door and mutter, “Shit.”

“What? Who’s there?”

“Olivia, I have to go. Text me the details. Tell Ethan I can make my way there on my own and do me a favor and let Owen know I’m coming. We’ve had enough miscommunication between us to last a lifetime. If he doesn’t want me there, let me know.”

“He’ll want you here.” She’s so sure, no question in her mind. It brings me hope.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll be there.”

“Cami?”

“Yeah?” I ask, not taking my eyes off the guest at my door.

“I know shit went down and trust me when I say that driving up to The Escape and laying it on the line feels like you’re giving in or conceding, accepting things the way they are or submitting. Trust me, I get it. But it’s not that. Because I did the exact same thing once so I know. It’s not that. You can still stand your ground and show him the way you expect to be treated even while meeting him halfway. Or, in this case, all the way. It’s not that.”

“Huh?”

“With Ethan, I did the same. But I’ll explain it later. Maybe over wine again. Actually, crap, I can’t have wine right now but maybe over some herbal tea.”

“Okay? Where are you going with this?” I ask, stepping aside and allowing the person at my door to walk through.

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