Always(Time for Love Book 4)(8)

How many times in the past had he comforted Brenna when she’d had her heart broken? He had hoped against hope that because he was there—right in front of her—she’d finally see she should be with him instead. Well, she never saw him that way. He’d be the biggest fool on earth if he let himself believe it would be different this time.

So he left early, even though he wasn’t due to pick up Sophie until much later. He had to leave before he succumbed to his heart’s plea to hold Brenna and make her feel better. It might get him hoping again, and he didn’t want that. Besides, he knew Brenna. She was someone who stuck with a relationship and made it work. After her words on the beach that morning, he was sure she wouldn’t be giving up on Lance so easily—just like it took her six years before she finally called it quits with her idiot ex, Darren.

His heart constricted, and he sighed with annoyance. He still ached at the knowledge that Brenna had been so in love with Darren for six long fu-cking years. That was why he wasn’t going to hang around to watch her fall in love with a new man.

That’s right, Ash. fu-cking move on. For good, this time.

*****

“Thanks again for picking me up and dropping me off, Ash. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem,” Ash said, giving Sophie a smile.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come in?”

Ash shook his head regretfully. “Sorry. I have to go.”

Sophie pursed her lips. “You know you’re my rebound guy, right, Ash? And we’re only in this for the sex?”

Ash chuckled. “Yeah.”

“I want you to know that you can call me any time you need me—even if it’s just to talk.”

“Thanks, Sophie,” he said with a sigh. “I’m sorry I’m cutting this date short.”

“Well, I’d been hoping for some sex today,” she said teasingly, “but it’s obvious you’re not in the mood.”

He gave her an apologetic smile. The way he was feeling, he didn’t think he’d be in the mood for a long, long while with Sophie. Perhaps it was because he’d come to think of her as a friend. He was only able to have sex with women when it was one hundred percent casual with absolutely no view of forming any relationship whatsoever. Otherwise, the guilt would have gotten to him—because every single time he was in bed with a woman, his heart and mind were with Brenna.

But he expected that to change soon. He was committed to moving on from Brenna, so surely it was only a matter of time before he was over her. Then he could be present with whomever he was having sex with, right? That would be freeing.

“This woman’s really messing you up, huh?” Sophie commented.

He opened his mouth to make a joke, but a confession came out instead. “She’s been messing me up for years. It’s about time I end the madness.”

“So if you want to end the madness, wouldn’t a rebound romp be just what the doctor ordered?”

“A great idea. But I’m ashamed to say I might not be able to perform tonight,” he answered.

“I could suggest a pill for that.”

Ash laughed out loud. “Now you’re really embarrassing me.”

Sophie shook her head at him. “You got it bad, Ash.”

“Damn it,” he said mildly. “Is that your diagnosis?”

Sophie smiled. “Well, I myself know what unrequited love feels like. But don’t worry. It does get better with time once you truly mean to leave it all behind and move on.”

“I’m glad to hear that. That acceptance started for me this morning, so I hope to make good progress soon.”

“Great. Keep at it. Now, are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

“Not tonight. Thank you.”

*****

Ash parked his car in front of his mother Tracy’s house, right behind a convertible which was identical to his own. Connor and Amanda were obviously there already for a middle-of-the-week family dinner to catch up with Tracy, who’d just come back from a solo one-month overseas trip.

His mum had made noises about having met a man—another single traveller who was part of her tour group.

Well, it was about time. It had been four years since his stepfather had passed away. Time for his mum to start dating again.

Tracy was a true romantic. She’d said that even though her first marriage with their dad didn’t last, it didn’t mean that love didn’t work. She might have had her heart broken, but she hadn’t given up on love. And she’d found her second husband, who’d made her very happy. Unfortunately, their time together was cut short by illness.

Ash could only hope his mother would find someone else again. He worried about her living alone in a big house—like she worried about him still not having someone special in his life. He’d never taken a girlfriend home to meet his mum. Unfortunately, he had no doubts she’d be putting more pressure on him to do so now that Amanda had gotten engaged.

He rang the bell and Amanda opened the door.

“Hey, sis. Sorry I’m late,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “Things were a bit crazy at the clinic again today.”

“Why? Didn’t you get a temp to fill in for your morning shift receptionist who’s on leave?” Amanda asked as they made their way to the back of the house.