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I glance away and wish I could make myself smaller. “I wasn’t trying to blame him. I just don’t want this environment for my baby. How does that make me the bad guy?”
“It doesn’t, and Carter will realize that. He just doesn’t like sharing, and I think he’s having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that you have other priorities now.”
I clear my throat. “I guess so.”
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” Sam adds, her voice barely above a whisper. “Tristan and I can switch rooms with you if you want if you’re more comfortable upstairs.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m okay. You have guys already done a lot.”
More than enough for me to feel welcome.
When I start drifting off, I feel Sam pull her arm away and stand up. She pulls the covers up to my chin and tiptoes to the door. I pry one eye open, and Sam looks back at me with a smile. My heart is heavy when I flip onto my side and chase sleep.
A short while later, Sam comes in with a tray full of food. She leaves it on the nightstand and leaves the door slightly ajar.
I flip onto my back, and my eyes fly open. I’m staring at the ceiling and counting backward from one hundred when I hear Sam and Tristan whispering. They drift closer to the door, so I squeeze my eyes shut and hold myself still.
“Is there anything I can get her?”
“You’ve already done a lot. I know she appreciates you standing up to Carter.”
Tristan snorts. “Yeah, he is not happy about that, and he’s probably going to make me pay for that later, but it’s okay. I can handle it.”
“You won’t be alone,” Sam says, her voice rising towards the end. “I know he’s your cousin, but he can be really…”
“Overbearing? Pig headed? Thick headed?”
“All of that and more,” Sam replies with a sigh. “I know they love each other, but right now, I don’t think they’re any good for each other.”
Tristan exhales.
They’re quiet for so long that I wonder if they’ve moved away.
“When I first heard about Isabella, I wasn’t happy, and I’m not happy about how I handled things,” Tristan admits, his voice trailing off toward the end. “But I’ve seen the effect she’s had on Carter, and I know what a dumbass I was.”
“He’s had a good effect on her, too. I didn’t see it at first, but I can see it now. They need each other.”
“They’ll find a way back to each other. Carter doesn’t give up on people he loves,” Tristan replies after a lengthy pause. “They just need a few days, that’s all.”
“And you’re sure you’re okay with her staying here?”
“Of course. This is their house, anyway. Isabella is welcome to stay for as long as she needs.”
I pry one eye open and twist on my side. When I see Tristan drape an arm over Sam’s shoulders, I breathe a sigh of relief. The two of them share a tender kiss and a sweet look before drifting away. I stare at the space they occupied for so long that my eyes start to burn.
Then, I bury my face against the pillow and let out a muffled scream.
Chapter Twelve
Carter
“I should be with her.” I’m still pacing the length of the living room while Anita lingers by the front door, watching me carefully. “The fucking things I said…”
I know I can’t take them back, but I want to.
Isabella and I have both screwed up, but I should’ve never thrown her mistakes in her face like that.
“Isabella loves you, and we all say stupid shit when we’re angry or hurt,” Anita responds, pausing to shift from one foot to the other. “She’ll forgive you.”
