Page 11 of Preacher's Property

“Come. I’ll walk you to your car and we can chat. You…” I turn to the big man who’s glaring at my ex. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“You heard her. Stay put, dog.”

“No, please.” I grip Preacher’s chest, keeping him from lunging forward. He’s liable to kill Dusty if I let him go. “Please don’t do this.” His amber eyes shift down to mine and those burning flames simmer slightly, cooling as I plead with him. “I’m going to go talk to him, and I’ll be right back.”

His hand comes up, gripping my cheek and I lean into his touch, turning my head and kissing the center of his palm. That seems to do the trick, settling him enough to let me go.

“I’ll go start dinner,” he says, then looks up to Dusty. I’ve never seen a glare with so much warning in my life. “You hurt her, I’ll hurt you. The kind of pain that lasts an eternity.”

“And if you threaten me, I’ll arrest you.”

I grab Dusty’s arm and start yanking him towards the parking lot. I’ve never been so annoyed in all my life.

“What the fuck, Chass? Are you dating that guy?”

“No,” I tell him. I don’t know what’s going on with Preacher. We have a bet going, but after last night, it feels like something could be happening between us. “He’s staying here while Cage is out of town to keep an eye on things.”

“You wouldn’t need a fucking bodyguard if you didn’t associate with criminals. I should arrest that fucker’s ass. He threatened me.”

“And you threatened him first. Now, what do you want?” I’m ready for this conversation to be over and to get back inside. Dusty has ruined my entire mood. I was excited to get home and see Preacher, but now, I’m breaking up fights and fending off exes.

“We need to talk, Chass. Things can’t end like this.”

“Things were already over. You were the one who wanted to break up. Remember? You needed more time. You didn’t want to feel pressured into marriage or feel guilty about not spending time with me.” Funny how he’s managed to make time for all the single ladies around town. “What you really wanted is to be able to date.” I don’t even fault him for it anymore. After last night, I realize I should be exploring things too.

“I knew Miranda was going to rat me out. Kollette meant nothing. It was just sex. Believe me. I don’t have feelings for her or anyone else. I love you.”

Kollette. It was Kollette that he hooked up with. But she’s always been cruel to me. He told me he thought she was a bitch. How could he do that?

“I’m done, Rockland. Don’t ever contact me again. It’s over.”

I go to turn but am yanked back.

“What the fuck? Why? I just told you it meant nothing. And it helped me realize that you’re the one I want. I want to be with you, Chass. Only you from here on out.”

There isn’t a single apology in anything he just said. NoI’m sorry for hurting you. NoI’m sorry for lying. NoI’m sorry for fucking the one girl I should never have even looked twice at. There’s nothing. No apology. No regret. No fucking shame for his actions.

It suddenly feels like I wasted all those years. For years, I believed his lies. Believed we were going to walk down the aisle together and start a family. I wasted all that time when I could’ve been out exploring other relationships. I could’ve been dating and having fun. But I was hooked onto the end of his lie and couldn’t see the truth. Now I know. He doesn’t love me. Someone who loved me wouldn’t need to go out and date other women to know that.

“I don’t love you anymore, Dust. I’m sorry.” At least one of us can say the truth out loud. “While you were off ‘working’ and trying to figure out whether you wanted to be with me, I realized I don’t want to be with you. It’s over, and it’s time for us to move on.”

I’m shocked by the relief I feel in saying those words. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my soul. Like the chains have finally been broken and I’m free.

“Twelve years, Chass. You can’t throw away twelve years over that lowlife criminal. He’s only using you. And once he gets what he wants, he’ll be off fucking other women. Just you wait and see.”

That brutal truth slaps me hard across the face. All those women are waiting for Preacher to return. The sweetbutts can’t wait to beg for his attention. I’m fooling myself to think he wantsto be tied down in a committed relationship when he has so many to enjoy whenever he gets the urge.

“This isn’t about him, Dusty. This is about me knowing that I don’t want this.”

If I could have a spark with someone else, one that burns hotter than anything I ever had with Dusty, then I know I’m making the right decision by walking away.

“Goodbye,” I tell him, hearing the resolution in my voice. “Stay safe, okay?” In spite of everything, I’ll always be thankful he was my first. But my best friend is gone. He’s grown into a man I don’t even like.

I turn, walking back inside before he tries to stop me again. It’s over. For good this time.

“You okay, babe?”

Preacher’s gruff voice has me looking up. A tear slides down my cheek at the same moment he pulls me to his chest. I’m not sad over losing my boyfriend. I’m sad over losing my friend.