Page 17 of The Truths We Find

“Mm-hmm. Just remember, I’m your boyfriend now, not him,” he fumes.

“Seriously?”

Sam huffs back to his bike and roars the engine. He throws his helmet over his head, and races out of the lot.

“Really, Dani? Sam? Of all people. Sam fucking Lincoln?” Gavin shakes his head, running a hand through his hair, the kind of stunned disbelief written all over him that says he still isn’t sure what he saw was right.

I start walking towards the coffee shop, and I hear Gavin running behind to catch up. What is with this guy and chasing after me in this parking lot?

“I know you guys didn’t always get along when we were together,” I start. “But I didn’t expect either of you to react this badly.”

When Gavin and I were together, Sam was stationed just a few hours away and came to visit as often as he could. I thought the boys would become best friends. I was very wrong. They’re like oil and water. I just never figured out why. At least, they tolerated each other for my sake. Fine, maybe tolerated is putting it nicely. They put up with each other for me. Barely.

When Gavin ended things and I was a complete mess, Sam was there. He let me cry on the phone, played unofficial therapist, and even took leave to help me move my life from Sacramento to San Diego when everything blew up.

“He’s not good for you, Dani!” Gavin yells, still trailing behind me.

“How the hell would you know? Sam’s been my friend since we were kids. He was there for me when you left, when I had no one else.”

“Oh, I’m sure he was.” His tone is sharp and clipped, the restrained edge of someone trying very hard not to show he’s hurt.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but we didn’t even get together until a year after you dumped me.”

“And you’re not married yet?”

“I don’t know if it’s for us. We’re comfortable with how things are, and I don’t think we want to mess with that.”

“Ooo comfortable. What every relationship aspires to be.”

I stop walking and turn to look him right in the eye.

“You don’t get a say in my life anymore, Gavin. You lost that right.”

“I don’t trust him, and honestly you shouldn’t either.”

“I don’t care what you think. I’ve known Sam basically my entire life. He’s been there for me, unlike someone else I know.”

I refuse to release my gaze. I won’t give him the upper hand here.

“Okay. I won’t say anything else. Let’s go get that coffee. I’ll even get you an extra shot of espresso to make you feel better.”

“Music to my ears,” I spit out with sarcasm. I turn and keep walking, trying to get his warnings out of my head.

Chapter 7

Gavin

When Dani and I get back with coffee, I leave her with Alexa in the editing suite. I keep my promise, and don’t bring up her relationship with Sam again. But the thought of them together is eating me up inside. Not because she’s with someone. I’m not stupid. Of course she found someone after all this time. But why does it have to be him? He’s an arrogant jackass, and if she knew half the stuff he pulled while we were together, she wouldn’t look at him again.

Or me.

I go back into my office and slam the door. “Fuck!” I scream, reaching my hands up in my hair and grabbing the roots in frustration. I really hope no one outside my door heard that. Right on cue, I hear a light knock on my door.

“Come in,” I force out in a calm tone.

The door slightly opens and a mousy-looking woman I vaguely remember meeting yesterday sticks her head in.

“Everything alright in here?” she says cautiously. “We heard you yell.”