Page 26 of Saving His Heart
I feel my forehead furrow into a frown. I do stuff for myself. I just … well, I—don’t I?
“I’m not asking to be a bitch, Emory. I’m asking because it seems like you might be having a hard time letting someone else take care of you for a change. From what you said last night, it sounds like you have always been the caregiver. There’s nothing wrong with that, either. Lanie and Julia are the same way. I just get the impression that you might need to let go a little because as much as I hate to admit it, Preston also takes care of those around him. He wants to fix everyone and everything. And I think you should let him.” Finishing her burger, she grabs her purse.
“Trevor and Dexter are coming over in a couple of hours to help us switch places. I think they realize the sooner Pres and I are under different roofs, the better it will be for everyone,” she says, laughing. “Just think about what I said. It’s not always a bad thing to have someone you can lean on, okay?”
“Yeah, okay. But, Lexi?”
“Yes, chica?”
“Who do you lean on?” I ask.
Fumbling with her purse, she turns away so she doesn’t have to make eye contact. “I chose the wrong man to lean on, Emory. It almost cost me my life. I can’t do that again, but you and I? We’re different. I think we have probably both made mistakes … I just have a feeling you’ve always had to choose between bad and worse. Let Preston be there for you. I’m not his biggest cheerleader, and even I know something is up with him. I think you could both help each other,” she says before turning and heading out of my apartment. Just before the door closes, I hear, “Two hours, Ems. Get packing.”
Chapter 9
Preston
How bad would it be if I just turned around and climbed into bed beside Emory?Bad, very bad. Just get the kitchen cleaned up, you idiot.This is completely fucking ridiculous. I have been with this woman every single day for almost a year. Your feelings don’t just change in a blink of an eye. My emotions and my libido are getting the better of me, that’s all. “It is time to check yourself, Preston.”
“Before you wreck yourself?” Lexi laughs.
“Jesus, I think I’ve been hanging out with Julia too long,” I tell her.
“Mhm, so what are you ‘checking yourself’ about?”
“Nothing, I just have a lot going on at work,” I lie.
“Liar. I’m not buying it. And I’m guessing you’re in here talking to yourself for the same reason your girl was just downstairs on the verge of a panic attack.”
Lexi’s words have me whipping around in her direction. “What? No, Emory’s eating breakfast.”
“Yeah, downstairs,” Lexi says, obviously enjoying me being the last to know.
I’m dumbfounded, and I end up just staring between Lexi and the hallway to my bedroom.
Laughing, she goes on, “You can go check if you want, but I just left her. Whatever kind of relationship you guys have—” She must notice my mood shift because she changes direction. “I’m not judging, Preston. I’m just saying, whatever kind of relationship you have, it’s not something she has experienced before, so you need to be gentle with her.”
I can’t help the snark that escapes me, “And you know her so well after a few hours?”
Pushing off from the island, I hate the hurt I see in her eyes. “Yeah, Preston. I know this after a few hours. Misery loves company and all, you know. It’s easy to see it in someone else when you’ve lived it yourself.”
I’m an asshole.
“Lex, listen. I’m sorry—”
“No need, Preston. Just take care of her. She is more fragile than you think,” she tells me as she walks out of the kitchen.
Fuck. “Lexi, wait. Just wait a minute.” I jog around the island, attempting to catch her in the hall. “I really am sorry,” I say, but she tries to wave me off. “Listen, I don’t want to fight with you about this or the clothes, okay? What if I told you we all pitched in, and we want you to have them? I also spoke to my brother, Easton. Give him a call first thing on Monday. He needs some help, so he’ll be expecting your call. I’d offer you a job myself, but we both know how that would end up.”
“I don’t need a handout,” she stubbornly argues.
“Can you just let down your wall for two goddamn seconds? I was telling you, Easton’s assistant up and left. He needs the help. Dexter and I put in a call to Ryan about your career. You were great at what you did, Lex. And before you go all crazy, we aren’t doing this because you can’t do it yourself. We’re doing it because you don’t have to do it yourself. There’s a difference. Family helps family, okay?”
Without making eye contact, she nods in understanding, and I’m pretty sure I heard a whispered thank you.
“Okay. Then, maybe you can help me figure out what to do about Emory?” I ask.
Finally, looking at me, she says, “That’s easy. Go help her pack. Everyone will be here in two hours to help us switch apartments.”
