AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brian hugs me close, his body relaxing against mine. “I don’t know how we can fix this,” he admits. “Diane’s stubborn, and she won’t soon forget that we betrayed her trust.”
“We have to give her space right now,” I say. “Let her cool off, and then we’ll talk to her and try to make things right. It won’t be easy, but if we’re honest and truly apologetic, she might come around in time.”
Brian sighs, stroking my hair gently. “Oh, I hope you’re right.” His arms tighten around me. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you both.”
My heart swells at his words. Despite the mess we’ve made and the hurt we’ve caused Diane, Brian still wants me in his life. It gives me hope that, while the path ahead won’t be easy, if we face it together, we can make it through this and come out the other side stronger.
I tilt my head up and press a soft kiss to his lips. “You won’t lose me,” I promise. “And Diane is your daughter. Trust me, she’ll forgive you.” Things are bad enough already, and I don’t want to add a larger burden on Brian, so I keep one of my overriding thoughts to myself…Would she forgive me?
Chapter twenty
Just Let Me Explain
Brian
My heart’s still pounding from everything that happened. Diane’s face was livid. Tanya and I have run out of words to say to each other and are now just sitting in silence pondering over what just went down. “I should go,” Tanya eventually says. “I’ll show myself out in case…”
I nod. Diane might still be around. Tanya leaves the gym and I sit back and do some deep breathing to clear my head. After a few minutes, I decide to get up and contact Diane. I need to apologize. As I close the gym door behind me, I turn to find Diane right there. The veins in her neck bulge as she blocks my path, her arms crossed over her chest.
“We need to talk,” she spits through gritted teeth.
My stomach drops. She’s so angry. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get through to her. I glance over Diane’s shoulder, scanning the gym for any sign of Tanya. The last thing I need is for her to overhear this conversation. The coast is clear. She’s gone.
Diane jabs a finger in my chest as rage simmers in her eyes. “Don’t even think about trying to weasel your way out of this.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Diane, listen—”
“No, you listen!” She shoves me back a step. “I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing, but it ends now. Stop seeing Tanya, or so help me, I will never speak to you again.”
Panic and anger war within me. I care deeply for Tanya, but I can’t lose Diane either. My throat tightens as I grasp for the right words to defuse the situation.
Diane’s face reddens. “Did you really think I wouldn’t figure it out? I’m not stupid!” She jabs me in the chest again. “Choose. Me or her. Now.”
I swallow hard, my heart pounding. My mouth opens and closes uselessly, with no sound emerging. Diane stands before me, her eyes blazing, arms crossed, waiting for an answer.
After what feels like an eternity, I finally find my voice. “Diane, please try to understand. Tanya is not just some…some harlot to me.”
Diane scoffs. “Oh really? Then what exactly is she?”
I run a hand through my hair, grasping for the right words. “We’ve been seeing each other for months now. She makes me happy, happier than I’ve been in years, and—”
“You’re joking.” Diane throws her hands up. “Unbelievable! How long did you think you could keep this from me?”
Shame washes over me. She’s right; I should have been honest with her from the start. “Diane, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you or keep secrets. It’s just that…well, I was afraid of how you might react.”
“And you were right to be afraid!” Diane shouts. “I don’t want that woman anywhere near our family!”
Anger flickers inside me at her harsh words. “Tanya is not some ‘woman’, Diane. She’s a kind, caring person who loves me for who I am.” I soften my tone, hoping to appeal to her reasonable side. “If you’d give her a chance, you might see that too.”
Diane folds her arms across her chest, her eyes blazing with anger. “I will never give her a chance. It’s her or me, Dad. Choose.”
I open my mouth, then close it again. How can I possibly choose between my only daughter and the woman who has brought love and joy back into my life?
My heart pounds as silence stretches between us. I stare at Diane, willing her to understand. “Sweetheart, it doesn’t have to be that way. I want you both in my life.”
“It’s one or the other,” Diane says again, her voice rising. “I won’t share you with that tramp!”
Anger and hurt swell inside me at her venomous words. “That’s enough! Tanya is not a tramp, and I won’t have you speaking about her like that.”
