Page 60 of Pursuing Desire

I’m annoyed by the first message but pissed off by the second one.

“Why haven’t you returned any of my calls?” Anthony’s voice blasts out. “I’m getting tired of panting after you like some damn dog. Just thought you should know there’s a situation with the condo. Call me back or don’t. Up to you, but I’d call me back if I were you.”

I have no doubt Anthony is lying about there being a problem with the condo. However, even knowing it’s likely a ploy to get me to call him back, he’s left me with no choice. I have to call him. Reluctantly, I dial his number and pray he doesn’t answer.

As is par for the course when dealing with Anthony, I’m not that lucky.

“It’s about time you called me back,” Anthony says in a nasal tone when he answers. “I must’ve left you a dozen messages.”

I snort into the phone. “We aren’t together anymore. I don’t have to call you. I have no obligations to you whatsoever.”

“I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn about this, Jess. Like you haven’t screwed around on a boyfriend before. How long are you planning on making me beg? My patience will only hold so long,” he warns.

“Beg all you want. It’s not going to change anything. All I want from you is to agree to sell the condo. Let’s just be done with this. We’ll lose some money, but at least we won’t have to deal with each other anymore.”

Anthony laughs, and it comes out sounding so horrible, so evil. Shivers of distaste roll through me.

“Speaking of money, that’s why I was calling you. Turns out you owe some fees to our condo association. We’ve had a whole slew of complaints about the noise in our condo lately. Ridiculous that a person can’t have a few friends over to party whenever they want. Anyway, the association said if you don’t pay those fees, they can put a lien on our property. Doesn’t sound like a good thing,” he says flippantly. “I’d probably take care of that if I were you.”

I swear, I think I can see his gloating face through the phone. It’s one thing after another. I knew it was a bad idea to call him. More money down the drain. And I have no doubt he’ll keep doing what he’s doing.

“Why are you doing this to me, Anthony? I don’t understand. I never did anything to you.”

“I’m doing it because you refuse to see me.”

I’m so upset, I’m shaking. “I can’t see you. I’m not even in New York right now!” I yell.

Another mean laugh, and then, “You’re always one for excuses.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You aren’t even making sense. Enough of this. I’m serious. Let’s just sell the condo, and we’ll never have to see each other again.”

“Listen, it was really nice to talk to you, Jess. Next time I call, how about if you go ahead and answer. Maybe I wouldn’t get so angry if you’d just answer. You’re forcing me to be a jerk, and I just don’t want to do that to you. Okay?”

I open my mouth to tell him to go to hell, but he’s already gone. The bastard hung up on me. It pisses me off that he got the last word. I’m not calling him back, not giving him the satisfaction of hearing me beg. I’m starting to think I’m never going to get the condo back. I’m never going to get my down payment back. I’ll have to start over. It’s the only way to be rid of Anthony for good.

Chalk it up as the worst mistake of my life and just move on.

No, screw that. That little rat bastard can’t do this to me. I don’t know how, but I’ll find a way to get my money back. I might let him think he’s won, but I’ll figure out something, and I won’t stop trying until I do.

My hands are still shaking from the call. I’m angry but also a little scared about what he might do next. While we dated, there were times when I could see his temper come out, but he always played it off as being tired or having a bad day. Now that I’m seeing the real Anthony, I wonder how much he’s still hiding. Not that I think he’d ever be violent or anything like that, but I think it would be wise to be cautious where he’s concerned.

Luckily, I hear Dax coming through the door, and I don’t have to dwell on the situation with Anthony any longer. I contemplate telling Dax about the phone call, but he doesn’t need to know the gritty details of my poor excuse for a personal life. He knows too much as it is. Besides, I want to talk about Anthony as much as I want to go swimming with sharks, which is not at all.

Dax strolls in, carrying coffee and a bag. He’s dressed in casual khaki shorts and a button-down shirt and looking ready to start his day.

I look down at myself and the hotel robe I quickly shrugged on when getting out of bed. And since I haven’t done anything with my hair yet, I’m sure it’s a curly, riotous mess. Nothing like standing next to Hotty McHotterson when you’re looking like Ms. Hot Mess Express.

“Ah, so Sleeping Beauty is awake,” he says. He leans down and pecks my cheek. He hesitates for a moment before straightening.

The oh-so-casual kiss is strangely intimate and unexpected. If he were my boyfriend, I’d find it sweet. Given our current relationship status, I’m not sure what to think.

“And my prince is here with much-needed sustenance,” I say flippantly.

I take the cup of coffee Dax is holding out and remove the lid while inhaling the steamy goodness. Dax is already laying out containers of creamer and packets of sugar on the table for me.

“We have to eat and run, unfortunately,” Dax says. “The show has booked us solid for today. First up, putt-putt.”

I look at him in horror. “I’ve never played putt-putt. Please tell me there won’t be any cameras to watch my pitiful display of ineptitude.”