Chapter 50

As soon as Dash left, I crawled into my bed and slept for a few hours. I woke up groggy and momentarily confused, but then those last few minutes before I'd fallen asleep came rushing back and I smiled. I couldn't believe we'd finally made it official.

He and I had been through quite a bit to get this far and I wouldn't deny that I hadn't thought it would ever happen. I'd been so determined to move on from him and so convinced I was right about his motivation for giving that quote that I'd never imagined we'd get back together.

After what he'd done and then again after he'd taken care of me last night, I'd realized once again that he wasn't Ethan. He hadn't lied to me and he wasn't trying to keep me down or distance himself. He wasn't ashamed or only interested in himself.

All of which had made me realize, in turn, that I had to start separating my relationship with Dash from my past with Ethan. One relationship was not the same as the other and I didn't have to work so hard to protect myself from Dash. He didn't actually mean me harm. He'd made mistakes, but he was always working on fixing them, and when he said he was trying to be better, he meant it and he always came back stronger.

It'd been one heck of a learning curve for me so far to really understand all these things, but now that I did, I knew he wasn't the only one who'd have to try to do better. I had my own stuff to work on and I was now more motivated than ever to do it.

Knowing that I needed to share all this with someone, I called Julie. She picked up and didn't even say hi. "How was the trip? Where did he take you? Please tell me it was amazing and he made up for all the rotten things he's ever done to you."

"It was amazing and he's definitely making up for all the rotten things he's ever done to me. We went to Vegas, which was amazing until I got food poisoning. Sort of ruins the mood if that happens."

"Shit. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine now. Poor Dash had to take care of me all night, though. I feel so bad for him."

She scoffed. "Don't. It was the least he could do. Besides, a couple who vomits together, stays together."

I gagged a little bit. "I've never heard that saying, but we didn't vomit together. Thank heavens, it wasn't a stomach bug that I could've given to him, or else we might not have been together anymore."

"Bullshit. Everybody gets sick, Serenity. Sometimes, they pass that sickness on to a partner. Anyone who can't handle that shouldn't be in a relationship. He really took care of you? He didn't cut his losses once sex was off the table?"

"Not at all. I felt horrible about it, though. He went through all that effort to organize a night for us to spend together and he didn't even get anything out of it."

"Contrary to what you seem to believe, you don't have to put out just because he takes you someplace. Besides, Dash is a big boy. He could've taken care of himself if he really wanted to."

"With me hurling in the next room?" I grimaced. "That's not exactly sexy."

"I know, but that's the point. Life isn't always sexy and not everything is about sex. Did you have a good time with him before the hurling?"

"The best."

"Well, there you have it." She paused for a beat, disappeared, and then came back again. "Uh, Serenity? You have to hang up right now and look at what I just sent you."

My stomach went cold, but I did what she'd said, finding a video from her waiting for me on my messaging app. I played it immediately, confused when I realized it was a clip of Dash and Ethan arguing outside Dash's offices.

It hadn't been filmed from close enough that I could hear exactly what was being said, but it was clear that neither man was happy. Ethan said something and grinned, and Dash moved in a split second, grabbing him by the collar and ramming him into the side of the building. Holding him there by his jacket, he got in Ethan's face with his own only inches away from my ex's.

I gasped, all my nerves tattered as I clapped my hand over my mouth. I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing, but nothing else happened, other than Dash clearly telling Ethan to leave. Ethan looked shocked. Nobody ever treated him like that. The coward only picked on women like me who he could physically intimidate. It was a different story when someone his size stood up to him.

He straightened his suit and left with his tail between his legs, and Dash watched him go the entire time, his face made of stone.

The clip ended and I just sat there, staring at my screen as disbelief robbed me of all thought for a long minute. I certainly hadn't expected anything like that from Dash and I didn't know what Ethan had said to have made him react that way, but I couldn't deny how it made me feel.

For so long, no one had known how truly awful Ethan was and it'd killed me to see everyone kowtowing to him, kissing his ass and trying to get into his good graces. This was the first time I'd ever seen anyone fight back, and even if they hadn't come to blows, it'd definitely been a fight.

One that Dash had clearly won, which sent a rush of triumph through me as if I'd been personally responsible for it. That argument could only have been about me, and judging by the way they'd both reacted, Dash had stood up for me when Ethan had started talking shit.

Not only that, but he'd shoved him against the side of the building. I really, truly couldn't believe it but it'd happened and I suddenly knew that I had to see him. I had to check on him and make sure he was okay, but I also needed to let him know how much I appreciated what he'd done.

Unlocking my phone once more, I tapped out a quick text to him.

Me: I just saw the video. Are you okay?

After I sent it, the ticks turned blue, letting me know that he'd already read the message. He didn't keep me waiting long for a reply either.

Dash: Shit. I'm sorry. I was hoping you were still sleeping and that I'd be able to explain it in person when I saw you tonight. How are you feeling?

Me: Much better, but this is about you. Are you okay? That looked intense.

I desperately wanted to speak to him, but he was at work and I figured texting was probably better while he was there. It'd sounded like he was already getting some flak for having been gone so often. I couldn't give his people the added incentive to cause trouble for him if he was on the phone to his girlfriend all day.

Girlfriend.

Another thrill ran through me at the moniker. I'd been that to him in the past as well, but back then, it'd been a looser term. There had still been so much for us to figure out and we definitely hadn't been as sure of what we wanted.

It felt like we were on solid ground now rather than alternating between head-in-the-clouds and rock-bottom.

Dash: I'm fine. I don't know what came over me, though. I am sorry.

Me: I'm not mad. At all. Are you almost done at work?

Dash: Just about. Should be another hour or so. Want me to come back to your place?

Me: Please. Really want to see you. As soon as you can!

Dash: You got it. I'll bring dinner?

Me: Don't worry about it. Just get here!

Dash: Am I in trouble or something? I thought you weren't mad.

Me: I'm not. Just eager. I can't wait to see you.

Dash: Same. I'll be there ASAP. At least give me a clue what I'm walking into, though. Getting nervous over here…

Me: I'm finally feeling a lot better. Thought we might finish what we started in Vegas.

With that, I dropped my phone on the bed and shed my dirty clothes, dropping them in my hamper once I reached the bathroom. After drinking some water from the filtered faucet, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, instantly happy that I'd already decided to take a shower before he arrived.

I looked like hell warmed over, my face all pale and my hair hanging lifelessly around it. Dragging in a deep breath, I exhaled slowly, thinking back to the video and to how he'd taken care of me while I'd been sick.

I knew Julie had said it was normal to take care of someone you were in a relationship with, but I'd certainly never had a boy holding my hair for me. Or staying with me through all that extreme grossness, bringing me water, and pills, and my things once I was in the shower.

As I climbed into the cubicle in my own bathroom and started the water, I tried to imagine what it was like to be married to someone like that. Someone who took me away just because. Who sat with me and brought me soup when I was sick. Who brought over flowers simply because it was Tuesday. Who spent his nights worshiping my body and his days supporting me in my career and whatever else I tackled in my life.

I knew Dash and I weren't there yet, but he'd said he was serious and serious usually ended that way. While I could definitely see myself and my future with him, I didn't know if I was quite ready to think about that just yet.

What I was ready for, however, was the surprise I wanted to have waiting for him when he showed up. I was excited to finally get to be who I was, to explore what I wanted to explore and to have a guy with me who wanted to be there with me through it all.