Michael didn’t want to answer the door. But it was Darryl standing on the front porch. He knew that his business partner wouldn’t be satisfied if he just yelled for him to beat it. Michael opened the door and turned away, letting his friend find his own way in.
Darryl stepped inside and shut the door. He followed Michael, speaking to his back. “You haven’t been to the office. You haven’t taken my calls. You look like hell.”
“Yeah.” Michael walked into the living area. He was aware that Darryl trailed behind him. He flipped his thumb over his shoulder. “There’s the door. Make free.”
“I’ve seen you act this way only one other time in your life.”
Michael swiftly turned, both of his hands curling into fists. “Shut up.”
Darryl frowned. His dark gaze was speculative, considering. “How is your lady friend, Mike? You haven’t said anything about her lately.”
“I’m not seeing her anymore.”
The words were bitten out. Michael felt the stabbing pain and rubbed a flattened thumb over the spot in the middle of his chest. It hurt him to even say it. He wondered bleakly if it would ever stop hurting. God help him. For the past few days, truths had battered him worse than his hangover. He had hurt her. He had driven away the woman who had become precious to him. He didn’t know how to fix it.
The ultimate truth had bitten him hard in the ass. With the rush of revelation, he had uttered a hoarse despairing laugh. Now that it was too late, he couldn’t hide from it anymore. He loved her.
Darryl lifted a thick brow. “I’m sorry to hear that. You seemed real happy there for awhile.” He shook his head and gave a resigned sigh. “You’re twisted, Mike. What happened? Did you run her off or did she run out on you?”
“She had reason to leave.” Michael swallowed. He had to tell someone what a stupid fuck he was. “She told me that she loved me. I told her that I was married.”
“You stupid fuck.”
“Funny. That’s what I thought, too.”
Darryl’s expression of disgust altered. Disbelief colored his voice. “Do you feel something for her?”
“Yeah. I do.” Michael sprawled backward onto the sofa, the heels of his hands pressing tight against his closed eyelids. “God. It’s a friggin’ nightmare. I can’t stop thinking about her!”
“Have you talked to her? Gone to see her?”
Michael dropped his hands and looked up at his friend. Despair weighted his chest. He shook his head. “She won’t take my calls, won’t answer my emails. I–I don’t want to make things worse by showing up at her door. Like I’m some stalker.” He didn’t bother to mention the fact that he wasn’t even supposed to know her address. That would open a discussion that he didn’t want, one that would expose how truly twisted he really was.
“What are you going to do?”
Michael shrugged helplessly. He spread his hands wide between his knees. “I don’t know.”
Darryl cleared his throat. “If you want, I can go see her for you. I can talk to her. Take a letter, maybe.”
Michael was deeply appreciative of the offer. He knew Darryl’s concern for him was genuine. They had always had each other’s backs, but this time he wasn’t going to let his best friend wade into his mess. “Thanks. But I’ve got to handle this one on my own. Somehow.”
“Maybe it’s time you talked to Morgan.”
“I’ve thought of that.” Michael passed a hand over his face. “Shit. I’m totally screwed.”
“Yeah, well, you always were screwed up.”
“Thanks for your support.”
“You’re welcome.”