Page 52 of Just A Little Love

I shook my head no and kept moving. Correcting his error seemed pointless since the guy was only trying to be polite. The elevator ride to my floor was mercifully brief, and I was forever grateful when the door pinged. I trudged down the hall and leaned heavily on the doorjamb while I fumbled with thecode. After a few false starts and more than one curse under my breath, I punched the correct one in and unlocked the door.

“Justin! What the fuck are you doing here?”

My fucking ex-boyfriend was lounging on my fucking couch in my fucking apartment. None of these things should have happened, and somehow, they had. I was so fucking confused. My jet-lagged brain was about to leave my body and go on a damned vacation by itself.

“Sweetheart, you’re home!”

“Yes,myhome. How did you get in here?” Justin unwound himself from the sofa and slunk over to me. He closed the door and took my suitcase handle from me. He moved the case to the side and ushered me to sit down. I was shell-shocked enough to let him. None of it made sense, but I hoped something would click soon. “Justin, why are you here?”

“I got to thinking, Daddy--”

My hand automatically went up at his words. Only one man could address me by that name. That man wasn’t currently speaking to me, but that didn’t change my feelings toward him. I loved him.

“I’m not your daddy.”

“Sure, not currently, but you were and could be again.”

“No, I can’t because I don’t want fucking want to be it again. How did you get in here? And how long have you been here?” If gray aliens emerged from my kitchen, I’d be less surprised than I was right now.

“You left it open for me.”

He was delusional. “I abso-fucking-lutely did not leave my apartment open for you.” This was getting old. I was tired, and I wanted Bunny, and since I couldn’t have him right now, then I damn sure wanted to be in my bed. Alone. “Justin, I’m tired. You need to get out of here and if you don’t, then I will call the cops, and they can explain trespassing and burglary to you.”

"Stop being silly. Once it sunk in that I had reduced you to buying a date, I couldn’t leave you to your own devices. When I was up here on a job, I stopped by to speak with you, and imagine my surprise when my name was listed as an occupant. No one makes a mistake like that unless it’s what they want. So, I gave them my ID, and that was that. My code wasn’t working, so they kindly gave me a new one. There’s some top-notch security in this place. I had no idea you were still pining for me. I only wish I'd known sooner. I would have returned ages ago."

As Justin spoke, he sauntered over to me and trailed his hands over my face and down my neck. He raised on his tiptoes and brushed a kiss on my cheek. “Gabe, let’s go to bed. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.”

No. No. No.

“It’s not going to work, Justin. You walked out on me. Don’t you remember what you said? It was my fault that you fucked your way through your gym and your jobs. According to you, I was the worst kind of Daddy because I wasn’t around to take care of you like a proper one should. We are going to stick to that. You need to get your shit, and you need to get out. I’m taking a shower. I will call the police and report a burglary if you're still here when I’m finished.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t burglarize any damn thing. My name is listed as an occupant.” He stabbed at his chest before continuing. “We were beautiful together."

“Haven't we all said things in anger at some point? You think that boy who showed up can fit into your life like me? He’s practically a child. You’re an adult, and you need someone who can attend your events and mingle with your clients. I'm the one who can do that. I’m an actor. People love me.”

“What did you say?” My voice was deadly calm.

“I said I am--”

“No,” I roared, “what did you say about Rory?”

“Is that his name? Your Rory ran off like a scared little mouse. He didn't bother to ask my name before he left.”

I clenched my hands into fists and worked hard to keep my breaths even. Every muscle in my body was poised for attack,and it was Justin I had in my sights. I’d never been a violent man, but my ex might find the end of my rope tonight.

“You need to be gone by the time I get out of the shower.” My voice was flat and void of all emotion. I wouldn’t ever be a willing participant in whatever games Justin wanted to play.

I stomped out of the living room and headed straight into my bedroom. I needed a shower, a change of clothes, and then to fix this fucking mess. No wonder Rory had disappeared on me. Why wouldn’t he think I screwed him over? He came to my house, and there was a man who’d made himself at home there. There was no other conclusion to make.

A selfish thought lingered in my mind that a text to me would have confirmed Justin was lying. Jakob could confirm Justin wasn't living here with me. If he had picked up any of my attempts to reach him, and he answered so he could yell at me, then I could’ve explained the person in my apartment had no damn business being there.

Why the fuck had I thought I needed a dramatic moment to tell Bunny I loved him?

I grabbed jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie from my closet. There was no chance I’d risk leaving this room without being dressed. This mess had enough complications that I didn’t need to add more because I was impatient. I stepped out of my room and headed straight to the living room. The front door was open, so I shut it and began my inspection. I checked all the rooms, including the closets, to ensure Justin had left. On my way tothe shower, I locked the bedroom door. The last thing I needed was for Justin to follow me in there and try to wash my back or some such bullshit. The entire time I stood under the hot spray, I replayed every moment with Rory. In hindsight, there was one inescapable conclusion. He could’ve come to me, but why would he? He’d given me an out because he knew I didn’t want a relationship. It wasn’t a massive leap for him to think I didn’t because I already had one.

Judging by the messy state of the guest room, Justin had been camping out in there. It was a disaster. He had left the bedding in a messy pile and with a host of suspicious stains. The trash can was full of empty takeout containers and shopping bags. The attached bathroom had more overflowing trash, and a sink covered with drips and drops of toothpaste. I didn’t remember him being so messy, but he’d also insisted we use a cleaning service three or four times a week. From the looks of what he could do when left to his own devices, I ought to find them and offer a bonus.

My next stop was the office. It was evident that Justin had made himself at home in here too. There was more trash… how much takeout does one guy need… and pillows strewn across the floor. It looked like he’d rifled through my desk and files. I double-checked my locked cabinet with client information. But, thankfully, there was no evidence it had been tampered with. I’d always kept cash at home in a little wooden box on the shelf. When I peeked inside, it was all gone. Whatever. A few thousand dollars in cash was a small price for him leaving the apartment.

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