Page 81 of Body Check
“Oh, I made my share of mistakes too,” Gavin admitted. “I didn’t—I didn’t give him the time or attention he wanted. Look, we both know I’m a workaholic and if it’s a choice between closing a deal and coming home, I never think twice about putting the team first.”
“I get that,” Dakota said softly. “But he still should have been more upfront about what he expected.”
“He should have,” Gavin agreed.
“So what made you realize it wasn’t working anymore?”
“Oh, he left me. Packed his bags and posted some nasty things on social media that blew up everywhere.”
“Ugh.”
“Yeah, he blamed it on my job. On me being a shitty husband. That I’d let him down, made him feel alone. The ink was barely dry on the divorce papers before he was with someone else though. Someone even more well-off than I am, so …”
“Damn.”
“Yeah.” Gavin shot him a tight smile. “But, hey, two things can be true at once, right? He used meandI was a shitty husband.”
“I suppose.” Dakota frowned.
Gavin stretched. “So, that’s my story. You’re probably sorry you asked now.”
“I’m not,” Dakota said. “I am sorry your ex was a dick though.”
Gavin tugged lightly at Dakota’s hair. “I’m sorry yours was too. I think I got the better end of the deal.”
“Mmm. Maybe. I can’t decide if it was better or worse that Bryce said he loved me and still treated me that way.”
“It’s a good thing I didn’t know about him when we traveled to Seattle earlier this season,” Gavin admitted.
“What would you have done? Gone and beaten him up? No one could find him.”
“Yeah, well, if I could have hunted him down, I’d have fucking thought about it, that’s for damn sure.”
“I can fight my own battles.”
Gavin dragged his thumb across Dakota’s cheek. “I know. I don’t have any doubt of that.”
“But?”
But I feel protective of you, he thought, even though he knew it would be a mistake to say that aloud. He did say, “But maybe you deserve to have someone in your corner.”
“I had Violet.” There was a softness to Dakota’s voice now. “We’ve always had each other’s backs.”
“Good.” Gavin sighed. “I have to admit, I’m envious.”
“Of Violet and me?”
“Yeah. It seems like you’re really close.”
“We are.”
“I wish I had that with my brother,” he whispered and the words came out sounding a lot rawer than he’d meant. Then again, it had cut even deeper than what had happened with his ex-husband.
“You said you don’t understand why things are so bad with your brother.”
“Yes and no. I’m pretty sure I understand why. I just don’t know how to fuckingfixit.”
“What have you tried?”
