Page 19 of Love on the Line

When he was quiet for a moment, AJ brokethe silence. “What happened, Mathias?” she asked gently.

“Shefell in love with someone else, married him, and moved to Central Washington.”

“Wait, what? Who? How?” AJ wasflabbergasted, especially at his matter-of-fact tone. As if the entire incidenthad been no more upsetting than ordering curly fries, only to receive thecrinkle cut.

“AJ, the particulars don’t really matter. Whatmatters is I devoted years to a woman I thought I loved, whom I thought lovedme, only to see her affections given to another—a coworker she had barely knowna month but said was her soul mate. Do I believe in something like that? Notpersonally. Was I angry? Yes. Was I hurt? Absolutely. But I couldn’t fault herfor feeling she had found her true love.”

“Wow. You were much more understandingthan I would’ve been. Unbelievable,” she muttered.

“What’s unbelievable is spending the pastthree years fearful of getting close to someone again because I couldn’t standthe thought of going through the heartache again. Of course my friends’ cure tothat situation was to love ‘emand leave ‘em. Enjoy women without any attachment. But I’m not thatguy.”

“I’m glad you’re not. I’m glad you exist,and I hope there’s a lot more like you out there.”

Mathiasscoffed. “Yeah, because I’m so honorable.”

“Hey, you are. You aren’t a user, a cheat,or an imposter. You don’t hide a monster behind a false façade.”

“And that’s what you dealt with.”

AJ sighed, realizing at some point she’dhave to confess. And honestly, it didn’t upset her as much as it might have aweek ago. Hell, even a few days ago. The past was right where it belonged, andAJ was ready to move forward.

“Yes. Brad was an imposter. A wolf insheep’s clothing. He was a coworker, someone I was immediately attracted tobecause of his intelligence and aggressive work ethic. And okay, sure, he wasphysically striking. But good looks mean nothing when there’s a cheating,pompous asshole lurking behind that fake exterior. He rode the backs of others,stealing their ideas and passing them off as his own. He was resentful that Iheld a position over him, and when his duplicity became known, he was fired. Andbefore I had a chance to break it off with him, he turned the tables by dumpingme and accusing me of not supporting him.”

“So for years while I was reluctant to putmyself out there, you were giving it your all, only to have it thrown back inyour face.”

“Yeah,” AJ scoffed. “Funny how life works,huh?”

“Sure, if that’s how you choose to look atit.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for thatto sound so—”

“AJ, I said to stop apologizing, so stopapologizing. We all deal with shitinour own way, and whatever brings us out on the better side is fine by me.”

AJ chuckled. “You’re right.”

“Of course I am,” he said quickly.

“’Member what I said about confidence andcockiness?”

Mathias laughed. “Yes, indeed—a fineline.”

“So, now that we know so much more aboutone another, whatever shall we discuss next?”

“Music.” Mathias’s suggestion came out ofleft field, which was most likely the intention, and AJ was definitely readyfor a topic switch. The two spent the next thirty minutes playfully arguingover true country versus much of today’spopcountry, as well as the days of good rock and roll being long gone.

And when AJ couldn’t stifle her yawns,Mathias kindly suggested they call it a night.

“Mathias?”

“Yes, Amelia Jane?”

“Thank you.” She said nothing else, hopinghe’d understand there was a wealth of emotion behind those two words. Shesmiled broadly to herself when he whispered “You’re welcome.”

Once again, they agreed to talk the nextevening at the same time.

“Good night, Mathias.”

“Good night, Amelia Jane. Sleep well.”

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