Stefan was silent for a moment. “Look man, I’m sorry. I get that this has you tied in knots. Personally, I think you ought to go out, have a few drinks and get laid. Come off that self-imposed celibacy stint you’ve been on since you threw her out. I know you so I won’t go there.”
Matt laughed and shook his head.
“Dash wants to talk to you a minute so hang on. Both of you have women in your lives now and I don’t understand you guys anymore. Dash has been God knows where for how long now.”
“See ya,” Matt muttered to empty air.
A second later, Dash came on the phone.
“I won’t repeat all Stefan has said other than to ditto everything. What I wanted to tell you is that I won’t be around for a while either.”
“Oh? Eloping with Tess?” Matt asked playfully.
Dash muttered a not-so-nice directive and Matt chuckled.
“No. I mean not really. I just haven’t had this whole marriage thing figured out yet so I want to spend some time with her.”
Matt smiled and then leaned back in his chair. He could understand that.
“That’s okay” Matt said. “How is it going with Neal and Tess? You are really going to do this?”
“Yeah I guess I am. It’s the only way to get my family’s company back” Dash said, and Matt noticed that he seemed much better with the idea of getting married than he had before.
“I want Tess to spend some time with my family” Dash said. “You know… Get to know them and stuff like that.”
“I understand. Well, I hope it works out for you. I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately “
“Well, Stefan can do without us for now. The guy has nothing in his head except work”
Matt laughed. “Yeah” he agreed.
“Just be careful, you know. With Savannah.” Dash said.
“Yeah, I will. I brought her here because I thought it would give us time away from… It’ll give us some time alone to sort things out.”
Matt could hear Dash sigh all the way through the phone.
“What exactly do you want to sort out? You honestly want her back? After everything that’s happened?” Dash asked.
Matt gripped the phone and stared out his window. “I don’t know yet. I need some answers before I make that kind of decision. I tried to move on from her and I couldn’t, so I decided to try this. Look, I know you and Stefan think I’m nuts, and maybe I am, but I would really appreciate you guys having my back.”
Dash’s dry response was immediate. “Yeah, you’re nuts. But whatever makes you happy, man.” He said.
Matt hung up and stared at the phone for a long moment. He had planned for he and Savannah to spend a few days alone. And that was what they were going to do. Maybe they could start putting the pieces back together. And if they couldn’t, well, as least he would know that they tried.
Savannah sat cross-legged on her bed, staring into empty space. It was evening already and she hadn’t come out of her room since that stupid encounter with Matt and his brother.
This was definitely a bad idea. She couldn’t stay here. She’d been stupid to think that she could exist in an environment where she was exposed to Matt. To hell with that job… This thing with Enzo wasn’t worth it.
It had been all she could do to keep it together. She was furious that she’d sat there while that bastard stood in the doorway with his bewildered look of innocence, but she’d been paralyzed the moment he’d walked into the house.
She hated the feeling of helplessness and she’d never, never allow herself to be such a passive respondent again. Going forward, if she saw the bastard, she’d kick his ass. She didn’t care if she was in his family’s property. And then she’d tell Matt precisely what he could do with his precious brother.
She hated Enzo with a passion she reserved for few things in her life. And she hated Matt for turning his back on her when she absolutely needed him the most.
No, she couldn’t stay here. Not a minute longer. She forced herself to consider her alternatives.
This time she wasn’t fleeing on ragged impulse without caring which way the wind blew her. No, she would come up with a solid plan of action. She’d go someplace quiet and safe—and start her life all over again. She should have never come back.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
Matt’s voice came from the door. She started guiltily and finally raised her eyes to his. Angry because she allowed herself to feel guilt even for a second, she hardened her gaze as she stared back at him.
“There’s no reason for me to stay.” She said.
“Come with me into the living room,” he said, holding his hand out to her. For a long moment she simply stared at his outstretched hand. She should refuse, but something in his voice made her comply and she slipped her hand into his much larger one.
He pulled her up from the bed and led her into the living room.
Sitting on the couch, he pulled her down beside him. He ran an agitated hand through his hair. “I’ve been an ass and I’m sorry. You’re in no condition to bear this stress and pressure and I’ve only added to your burden.”
She opened her mouth to speak and he placed a finger over her lips. “Let me finish. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about us. And I want you to know that the reason why I actually brought you here is because I wanted us to spend some time together…. Maybe… Fix our relationship… Or what is left of it. I know it sounds stupid and crazy, but I want you to give it a try”
Savannah stared blankly at him. Why? She didn’t get it.
Why torture themselves? Why was he so persistent in flogging the dead horse that was their relationship? He’d been the one to end it. He had rendered judgment and tossed her aside like she’d never meant anything to him.
She opened her mouth to ask him just that, but again, he silenced her with his finger.