Page 86 of A Little Bit Uncertain

“He’s not here, is he? I can’t see him.”

“He’s not here, no. But yeah, he came into my work event frantic. Busted right in. Everyone turned to him because the man was shouting my freaking name like a lunatic. Never thought I’d see the day that Sir Donovan looked anything less than dashingly handsome, but he looked crazed, and was freaking the fuck out.”

Guilt crept in. I didn’t want him to lose it; I just needed to step away. To remind myself that he and I were not meant to be. But that wasn’t just stepping away, that was throwing a grenade into a situation and watching it explode.

“I’ll text him,” I said.

When we got to her hotel room, I pulled out my phone.

Audra

Hey. Sorry about leaving like I did. I’m with Jules.

The reply was instant.

Donovan

Audra. I am so sorry. That went both how I expected it to and nothing like I expected it to. I should have protected you and never subjected you to that in the first place. Please let me explain myself. Just a talk. Are you willing to come back to my apartment tonight?

I hadn’t quite thought that piece through.

Audra

I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.

Donovan

Can I come to you?

“Jules, help!” I shouted to her.

She popped her head out of the bathroom. “What’s up?”

“Do I see him tonight?”

“What’s your goal?”

I knew she was going to ask that question; it was her favorite one to ask.

“I’m not sure. I want to yell and tell him how bad that hurt me. Shout that this is literally the reason I’ve been hesitant the entire time. To be fair, he doesn’t know the full story about Theo and why this cuts so deep. But I want him to explain why he sat there and let his parents talk like they did. I should have left, Jules. I should have flipped them all off and walked out with my head high twenty-five minutes before I did.”

“Did you know his parents were fucked up?”

“We haven’t exactly delved deep into our traumas yet, but I’ve gathered that his family drama is significant. I know he doesn’t have a good relationship with either of his parents. He drained his trust and ran when he was twenty-five, and he hasn’t seen them since. There was so much thrown around tonight. A possible baby. And apparently he knew that tall bitch was going to be there.”

“Wait … he has a kid? The fuck? Also, side question; Why did he agree to come if things are so fucked up?” she asked.

“His sister begged him to come. She passed her bar on the first try, and she’s my age. I don’t think there was an actual baby. Maybe a miscarriage or something?”

“Ah, so he’s close with the sister, then?”

“Yeah, and she’s wonderful. I don’t know how the two of them were raised by such assholes.”

“Because their parents didn’t raise them. There had to be nannies involved. They’re normal because a normal person raised them and loved them.”

“You’re right. He has talked about his nanny a couple of times. One time, he mentioned she would be the one scolding him if he didn’t remember his manners.”

“Okay, you want what I have to say?” she said as I nodded. “I think you have to give him a chance to explain himself. He’s not Theo. I rather like Sir Donovan.”