Page 45 of Endeavor

“What’s wrong? You sound…off,” she states. The fact that she can denote my mood after one week is, well, baffling to me and also makes me want to protect her. And that’s when I decide that I need to do the one thing that I don’t want to do in order to keep her safe. I decide to give her a slightly limited version of the events that have transpired.

“Emma, listen, we need to talk.”

“About what?” Her voice is filled with hesitation and what I’m about to do kills me. I feel my heart shattering into a million pieces as I speak the words.

“This…we can’t see each other right now. I…the band…we have a stalker and it’s not safe. I’d rather we just stop seeing each other. I can’t handle a relationship right now with everything else going on.” I lie. I lie because even though we’ve just met, I know this woman will not leave my side just because of a stalker. So, if I’m going to protect her, I have to let her go.

“Grady, don’t be silly. I’m fine. Besides, stalkers are into famous people, and I’m not famous.”

“Emma, damn it! I can’t do this. I’m…sorry, OK? I wish I could. Stalker or no stalker, you deserve better. I’ll see you around.” And with that, I hang up and toss my phone on a chair before she can say another word. I let out a roar and pull on my hair as I slam my fist into the drywall of my kitchen, leaving an indentation on my wall and bruises on my knuckles, which is nothing compared to the fracture I just made in my heart.

Chapter Eighteen

Emma

What in the actual fuck just happened? Did Grady just break up with me before we were even officially dating? I fall back on my bed. I text the one person I know who will make me feel better.

Me: Men suck! I’ve decided to become a nun.

My phone rings with a video chat and I answer it.

“Whose balls do I need to rip off?”

I tell her what just happened.

“What in the actual fuck?” Kate questions.

“Right? I don’t get it. One second we are all lovey-dovey and planning date three and then he calls and dumps my ass.” I sigh. “Maybe my first impression was right. Maybe he’s just a giant, narcissistic asshole.”

“I’m sorry, Ems. That just sucks. I promise you though, there are good guys out there.”

“Right. I think you got the last eligible bachelor prince, so I’m screwed.”

“Don’t say that. You’ll find a guy. Plus, on the bright side, you can throw yourself into your project and school.”

I grunt. “I suppose. I just…I really liked him, Kate. And he was an amazing kisser. I can’t believe I was even contemplating sex with him on date three. I was such an idiot. Ugh. And Blythe, what will I say to her?”

“You aren’t an idiot. And Blythe will be pissed at her son for being an asshat. Hey, you should ask Will out again.”

“Maybe,” I grumble.

“We could make you a dating app profile and right-swipe some guys?” she suggests.

“No. I’ve tried that and, just no.”

“Fine, but don’t let one fucker get under your skin.”

“I won’t.” I let several get under my skin, I think to myself as I reflect on my past boyfriends.

“Good. That’s the spirit.”

“I should go. I have reading to do,” I say as I look over at my desk.

“Go be a student. I’ll talk to you later.”

“OK.”

“Love you, Ems.”

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