Page 166 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Rubbing my temples I remembered my conversation with Aunt Cleo. I had called her in a panic when the story broke, wanting to explain why I had kept it secret even though we had spoken on the phone numerous times in-between. She knew already. That was a shock. It seemed she had found out not too long after it had happened. She had called the house phone when unable to get me on my cell and Matt had informed her I would no longer be living there and to try my old home number. Aunt Cleo said he had ended the call right after telling her that. When I asked why she hadn’t said anything, she had sighed then said she was waiting on me to come toher with the news. That conversation hadn’t been a pretty one. Matt was once again in her bad books, filed somewhere under ‘my niece should have listened to me’. I think Aunt Cleo was really hurt though, and ashamed she had let her guard down with him only for him to turn around and do exactly what she always feared he would do. Throw me away. Her words, and she was right, he had thrown me away.

Of course I didn’ttellher about the whole crazy-sex-pictures-frame-up. My aunt was a Christian, but I knew ifsheknew, someone would end up dead and she’d be a fugitive. It was hard enough trying to keep Dante from planning how to take out Matt, even though I warned him my stupid husband had secret bodyguards. D watched too many action films.

“Madi,” Dougie prompted softly.

“It didn’t work,wedidn’t work,” I replied curtly. Why did people always want to be in my business?

“Did I cause-”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. The action brought his words to an immediate halt. “Full of yourself, aren’t you?” An uncomfortable pause stretched between us until I finally said, “I guess we weren’t compatible enough to make it work.”

Dougie cleared his throat and stretched his legs out before crossing them at his ankles. “I did warn ye he was full of himself and too old.”

My mouth fell open. “Seriously? That’s what you have to say?”

“Aye,” he shot back, as he grinned impishly at me. “He’s a right numpty.”

“Who I’m still married to, Dougie,” I snapped. “Do youwantto make amends and be friends? Because you’ve got a strange way of going about it! Matt isn’t old at all, he’s only 38 and that’s not much older than me. Ten years is nothing - and what the hell is a numpty?”

Suitably chastened, Dougie made an apologetic noise. He didn’t expound on the definition of numpty either, perhaps due to the doctor coming to get me. With a fierce scowl at the Scotsman I stood up. Dougie jumped to his feet also, once again holding an arm out as he cradled my bouquet in the other one.

“Bite me.” I mumbled before limping towards the waiting doctor under my own steam. Once more ensconced in the examination room with its lurid green walls, I awaited the diagnosis.

“It seems you’re suffering from a metatarsal stress fracture, luckily we caught it on the x-ray,” the doctor said. For someone with such a sour face he was all about the luck.

I chewed my inner cheeks. “Ok, so you’ll give me a prescription for some painkillers and I’ll increase my calcium and vitamin D intake. Problem solved.”

“This is a serious fracture, Madison,” he advised and Dougie leaned forward in his chair, listening attentively. The doctor continued. “You need to rest your foot, I’d recommend at least 6-8 weeks, maybe even push it to 12-”

I burst into incredulous laughter, they looked at me as if I was crazy. No way in hell was I taking that much time off.

“Right,” I nodded, still smirking in disbelief. “Ok then. Can I get that prescription now?”

“Look, I know someone in your profession may be unwilling to take the necessary time off in order to heal, especially when you’re performing; but I recommend you do this.”

Running a hand through my temporarily straightened hair, I spoke, “I’m due on stage every night for the next week. At the Royal Opera House.TheRoyal Opera House. The toe’s not broken, and even if it was, I’d still be going on stage.”

“You can do further damage-”

“I’ve had stress fractures before that felt worse, Doc,” I quipped. “Now, about that prescription,”

Dougie glared at me. Heglaredat me, then asked, “Can this affect her long-term ability to dance?”

My neck snapped around so fast I swore I would end up with a case of whiplash. Was he getting up in my business? I should have never let him stay.

“If it isn’t allowed to heal properly and further stress is endured, it can possibly cause serious injury in the long run. You’re lucky to have made it through tonight.”

My head snapped back at the Doc. Yeah. Whiplash no doubt.

“Um, ok. I’ll take a few months off.” The blatant sarcasm lacing my tone earned me a stern look from the doctor. He could take that ‘lucky’ and shove it. “And the prescription?”

I got my prescription, thanked the doctor, and left the room with a concerned Dougie at my side.

“Should ye even be walking on that foot?” Dougie asked,automatically taking my elbow in his hand. He chuckled softly before adding, “I can carry ye, be your knight in shining armour.”

Those playful words brought me to a standstill, and my heart broke just a little more. Huh. I thought there were no pieces left to break.

“Knights aren’t all they’re cracked up to be,” I replied hoarsely. It was true. I had a knight, or did, and he hadn’t loved me enough.

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