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Oh, for God’s sake. Tony wanted to ask why she’d answered or tell her to hang up. Irritation rose, even as he knew it wasn’t justified. Except when caught up in something on the job, he rarely ignored a call from his mother or any of his sisters.
“Emily, don’t say that!” she exclaimed. “I got hurt because someone attacked me. It’s on him, not you.”
The conversation went on, Tony able to hear most of what Beth’s little sister wailed. Increasingly annoyed, he thought she was playing Beth. Apparently, she was used to being the center of attention and didn’t like having the spotlight shift.
“Emily, really—” Beth started to look alarmed. “Okay, okay. If you need me—”
What the hell?
More wailing.
“In just a few minutes. Yes, I promise. I love you, you know.” Finally she ended the call. Her unhappiness visible, she said, “I’m so sorry, but Emily is falling apart again, and I need to go over there. If you want to go ahead to the lake, I can—”
“What? Spend two hours patting her back?”
Hers stiffened. “You think I should have told her to suck it up? I might stop by tomorrow, when I don’t have anything better to do?”
“I hurt my mother’s feelings so I could spend the day with you. Apparently, spending the day with me isn’t as important for you.”
“She threatened suicide.”
“Did you believe for a minute that she was serious?” he asked, incredulous.
Beth hesitated but said, “That’s not the point. She needs me.”
He shook his head in frustration. “I can’t do this.”
For a moment, she went so still, he couldn’t tell if she was breathing. Then she whispered “This?”
“Us.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I CAN’T DO THIS. Tony’s words rang in Beth’s ears. He couldn’t do this.
Us.
Why was she even surprised? There’d been plenty of hints.
“Well, this is the shortest relationship I’ve ever had,” she heard herself say.
He paced a restless circle in the small kitchen before facing her again. “It’s not you. It’s both of us. We’re too much alike, trapped by our families. I love mine, I can’t back away, but they drive me crazy enough that I can’t take on any more. Every time your sister or father claim to need you, you’ll be running to their sides, won’t you?”
Beth stiffened. “Claim? I suppose your family really needs you, while mine is just manipulating me?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You implied it.”
“Damn it, that’s not what I mean!”
“So, if I’d told Emily she was on her own and gone to the lake with you, we’d have been fine? You expect to be the center of your girlfriends’ lives? No other priorities accepted?” She tried to cross her arms and could only clutch the bulky cast with her good hand. “Well, good luck with that.”
“You have to see—”
“I don’t have to see anything. You’ve made your decision. Fine. I’d appreciate it if you’d clear out what you have here and leave.”
He looked strangely shocked, considering he’d started this. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
Hurt and angry, she said, “That’s not your business. I have people who care about me.”
“I’m one of them,” he said quietly.
Beth braced herself. “You need to go.”
They remained locked in a stare for what had to be a minute, his eyes dark and turbulent. Then he shook his head and went into her bedroom, where the clothes she’d washed for him sat atop her dresser. His badge and gun were there, too. He hadn’t immediately donned them this morning, the way he had other days.
Because it was Sunday. The day of rest.
On the verge of tears, she held herself together. She didn’t say anything when he emerged with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
“I’ll get your towels and the lunch,” he said gruffly.
She held herself as tightly as she could. “Don’t bother.”
After a moment, he gave one more nod and started for the back door. He opened it but didn’t turn around. “Be careful, Beth.”
