Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

“The first day he turned up, he had a book in his hands and told me it was his favorite. I soon worked out that he loved the classics, so it was a no brainer.” I shrug.

“Excuse me? Sorry to interrupt but we really have to go.” I turn toward the couple that were painting with their feet and walk over to them, shaking both of their hands. “We’ve had such a fun night, thank you.”

“Thank you so much for coming, it wasn’t exactly ‘fine art,’ but a little fooling around keeps you young.”

They both chuckle but I don’t miss the subtle smoldering look they share between them. “It certainly does, we’ll definitely be back.”

“That’s always good to hear, take care.” I watch as they leave, realizing that I’m now alone with Tristan.

He stands up as I turn toward him and puts his hands on his hips loosely. “He does, he loves getting lost inside the world on the pages.”

We stand staring at each other for what feels like forever. How is he acting so normal? It feels like old times, but nothing like it all at the same time. He looks down, tearing his gaze from mine as the atmosphere around us changes. We’re a lot older now; wiser, but that doesn’t mean that what he did all those years ago doesn’t hurt any less.

“Tristan?” His head snaps up from the floor. “Why are you here?”

“I…” His eyes search mine before he lets out a puff of air. “I have no idea.”

I scoff, walking toward my office to get away from him, only he pulls me back by my wrist. “Get off of me.”

“The question is,” he says, his voice deeper as his face comes closer to mine. “What are you doing back here?”

“Where I live is none of your concern,” I grind out, my gaze wandering over his angular jaw.

He laughs, but it’s not a humorous one. “Funny how you chose this side of the tunnel to open your studio—”

The anger I’ve been holding back rises to the surface and I’m about to argue back when the front door to my studio pushes open, banging against the wall. I stare in shock at an angry-faced Gerry standing there, staring at Tristan’s hand that is still connected to my wrist.

“I fucking knew it,” he spits out. “Couldn’t fucking wait, could you?”

I feel Tristan’s hand squeeze my wrist as his body tenses before he steps in front of me. “Who the fuck are you?” he thunders.

Gerry walks forward, a sneer lifting up his lips as he looks between the two of us and then down to where Tristan’s hand is again. “Who the fuck am I?” He takes another step toward us slamming the palm of his hand on his chest. “I’m her husband.”

I raise a brow at him before I shrug off Tristan’s hand and walk out from behind him. “Ex. He’s my ex-husband.” I huff out a breath. “What do you want, Gerry?”

He watches us for a beat, his gaze swinging between the two of us. “What do I want? I told you I was coming back into town. Yet here you are cozied up to lover-boy again.” He throws his hands up in the air. “You’re unbelievable.”

Uncontrollable rage flows through me, exploding in my veins as I storm toward him, pointing in his face. “I’m unbelievable? I’m unbelievable!”

He takes a step back, and rightly so, the anger I was feeling toward Tristan coupled with Gerry turning up unannounced and treating me as if we’re still together, has me seething. “Get. Out,” I snap seriously, turning away from him.

He tries to grab my arm but Tristan is there in a fraction of a second, stepping in for the second time tonight. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Tristan warns, using a menacing voice that has shivers darting up my spine.

They stare at each other, chests heaving but I don’t intend to let them fight this out. Neither of them have any business being here in my eyes; they need to go… now.

“Get out!” I shout, making both men turn toward me. “Both of you!”

“But I—”

“I mean it, Gerry. What we had is over, call or turn up again and I’ll call the cops.”

He sniggers. “For what? All I—”

“It’s over!” I shout as I push him out of the still open door.

He stumbles slightly but rights himself as Tristan says, “You heard her. Get out.”

“And you!” I swivel to face him. “Unless you’re dropping off the kids or have answers as to why you were here tonight, stay away!”