Mending Heart |18+|

Chapter 20

Crash and Burn

"It's okay if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire." – Colette Werden

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As soon as I walked through the door and into my apartment, I kicked off my shoes and set the keys in the bowl by the door. Dropping off my purse on one of the kitchen island stools, I made my way towards the bathroom.

I needed a shower.

Not only was I sticky with sweat from the heat, but I figured it would help calm my nerves and help curb the strong urge to call Ethan and give him a piece of my mind.

I should have followed my gut and stayed as far away from him as possible when I found out who he was, and that he was going to be my boss. Nothing good ever comes out of thinking with your lady parts, I thought.

The apartment was empty and eerily quiet except for the whirring of the AC and my padded footsteps against the hardwood floor. Zoey had gone back home shortly after I told her it was time for her and mom to kiss and make up. Of course, the two of them had not completely made up and they were continuously throwing snide comments at one another like there was no tomorrow – but, there was only so much I could do.

Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the shower and immediately felt the hot water prickle my skin. As I stood there letting the day wash away, I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips.

Was I really that gullible and easy to play?

Was stupid written on my forehead and I somehow missed it?

First Justin, and now Ethan.

I'm not going to sit here and pretend like I'm innocent, because perhaps if Ethan and I had defined our relationship – or whatever the fuck you want to call it – then maybe meeting his wife would not have taken me by such surprise.

In the end, it stings because he turned out to be no different than all the other guys out there – a lying cheating asshole.

........

I had just settled on the couch with my laptop in front of me, ready to tackle the hundreds of unread emails I had yet to respond to when I heard a knock on the door.

I swear to God if it's Mrs. O'Connell from downstairs here to yell at me about making too much noise when I walk, I was not going to be responsible for my actions.

Yanking the door open, I expected to see Mrs. O'Connell's old and wrinkly face staring back at me. Instead, it was Ethan's handsome face I was met with. I blinked stupidly – once, twice. When I finally came back to reality, I scowled. "You have the wrong address. Your wife lives somewhere else."

"McKenzie, please." He pleaded, attempting to get closer but I was quick to block him by extending my arm and pushing against his chest.

"No –" I said, putting my other hand up. "You don't get to come to my apartment and act all innocent."

His brows knitted together. "I'm not acting any one way. Please just listen to me. Whatever Stacy said to you isn't true."

"No?" I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest. "So she isn't your wife?"

"She is bu –" He began before I quickly cut him off.

"Get out," I said, standing my ground. With one hand still clutching the door frame, I motioned for him to leave.