Dash’s mouth quirked in a slight smile. “With band members who come and go at will and frequent parties. Not the same thing.”

No, it wasn’t, Sasha thought, glancing at Cassidy, who wouldn’t meet her gaze.

“If I had to guess, in Xander’s eyes, he thinks you’re like me.”

Sasha’s own eyes opened wide at that pronouncement. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You travel from country to country or within the States for whichever movie comes next. The paparazzi follow us both with flashing lights and cameras, trying to dig into our personal lives. Not to mention… a stalker.” He gestured to her head. “He knows himself well enough to understand it’s too much for him—for Xander the veteran and the man. And he didn’t want to make you choose between your career and him. So he did it for you.”

“You’re very intuitive,” Sasha murmured.

He shrugged. “I can read my brother pretty well. Better than myself.”

She bit down on her bottom lip, waiting for Dash to continue and to finally make his point. So far she’d gleaned that her life wasn’t what his brother wanted.

“He never gave me the chance to tell him I’m finished with living that way, that I have a plan for my future that includes him. He just blew off what we shared and left.”

Dash looked at her with understanding in his gaze. “Because he’d rather walk away first than have you reject him. Keep in mind, this really is armchair psychology. It’s what I see when I watch Xander and how he acted with you.”

She sighed, the sound deep, from inside her chest. “I understand but I’m furious. I deserve better. He should have manned up and told me how he feels about me. He should have let me tell him what I need.”

“You’re right. And I’m betting he’ll come to that same conclusion pretty soon.”

Or he wouldn’t. Who knew. He’d taken her off guard today, and she wasn’t certain what was going on in that thick-headed brain of his.

A part of her wanted to head to the Hamptons now and give him a piece of her mind, something she should have done at the hospital, but she’d been blindsided and concussed. She’d have to give herself a pass. And right now, she felt like utter crap and needed a nap.

“Thanks, Dash. For everything.” She turned to Cassidy. “Can we talk?” She gestured for them to go out into the hall.

Her friend nodded. “Sure. I’ll walk you to your room.”

Dash flopped down on the bed, bracing his hands behind his head and leaning against the headboard. “I’ll be waiting when you get back.”