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“It’s because of love, Nic. You love Sylas, even though you’ve been angry. And I know he loves you, too.”
“So? That doesn’t change a thing, Ashley.”
“You love me. I love you. I love Sylas. That’s what is important. Love. The question isn’t how does a man share the woman of his dreams with another, but how much does he love her? Do you love me enough to share me with Sylas?”
Nic stared at her for what seemed like forever. Finally, he stood and said, “Ashley, I don’t understand
any of this.”
The tears streamed down her cheeks. She took his hand and looked up at him. “Then let me help you understand. Please, Nic.”
He shook his head and began dressing. “What you’re asking doesn’t make any sense to me. I should be enough for you. I don’t understand this town. I don’t understand how Phoebe could be married to three men. And I definitely don’t understand why you want me to share you with Sylas.” He looked her straight in the eyes. “I should go.”
“Please, Nic. We can work this out.”
“I could never share you.” He walked to her front door and opened it. “Good-bye, sweetheart.”
He left, closing the door behind him.
Sobbing, she felt her heart breaking apart again.
Chapter Nine
Nic stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were red. No wonder. He hadn’t slept since leaving Ashley.
“Fuck.” He pounded his fists on the sink’s counter. Once again, he was getting the short end of the stick. Typical. That’s how his entire life seemed to always go. He loved her. That should be enough. But it wasn’t. How could it be? What did he have to offer her?
His father’s liquor-soaked breath spoke to him from the past. “You’re a worthless piece of shit, boy. No one wants you. Not me. Not your whore mom. No one.”
“Fuck you,” Nic said aloud, but the old demons he’d fought back were haunting him again. He got his wallet and pulled out the photo of Pop Jim and Mama Gayle. Unlike his biological parents, Jim and Gayle had loved him. They were his foster parents for two years and had even started the paperwork to adopt him. God, he missed them.
“What should I do?”
The two loving people just smiled back at him from the photo.
Ashley deserved to be happy. If he couldn’t give it to her and Sylas could…
I know what I must do. But knowing it didn’t make it any easier. This was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever have to face, and he’d faced the devil in the eyes and lived to tell about it.
* * * *
Sylas sat across from Patrick and Sam O’Leary in Blue’s Diner. Desirae had just left after bringing them coffee and taking their orders.
“So, Sylas, how did the date go last night?” Patrick asked.
“It appeared to go extremely well. We were all laughing, enjoying the food. The conversation was great. And to all appearances, Nic seemed to be enjoying himself. But I know him too well. It was all a façade.”
Sam sat down his cup. “Are you sure?”
“Oh yes, I’m sure. When we got back to the hotel, we walked in together. Not a word was spoken. Not even a good night. Complete, total change. I don’t believe Ashley knew Nic was putting on a front.”
“Why do you suppose he was acting like that?” Sam said.
“You remember me telling you about how he grew up in foster care?”
“Yes.”
“It goes deeper than that, I’m afraid. Nic’s parents were no good. His dad was sent to the pen for life when Nic was only five years old. Homicide.”
