Page 140 of Brighter Together

“But I refused,” I add desperately.

He looks at me again.

“I told him I wouldn’t manipulate you. I told him you had to make the decision yourself.”

“But you still gave them plans designed around what you knew I wanted.”

“Yes.”

There is no point trying to soften it.

That is exactly what I did.

Tommy’s mouth tightens.

“So they had an advantage.”

“Yes.”

The word tastes awful.

“I didn’t give them anything from the other firms. I never showed Lee confidential documents or budgets or proposals.”

“But you knew me.”

“Yes.”

“And you used that.”

Tears spill down my cheeks again.

“Yes.”

There is hurt in his voice now.

Not shouting.

Not rage.

Just hurt and it is killing me that I did this to him.

“I need you to understand why,” I whisper.

“I’m trying.” He folds his arms. “Tell me.”

I take a breath that shakes all the way down.

“Lee’s designs are terrible.”

Tommy gives me a look that would almost be funny in another situation.

“They are.” A broken laugh escapes me through the tears.

“For years, I did most of the actual design work. Lee presented it. Dad let him. If I asked for my name to go on projects, I was selfish. If I complained, I wasn’t thinking about the family.”

The words come faster now.

“He got the credit. I got told I should be grateful I had a job.”