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Liam sighs and joins me on the floor. “She is. Mia caught the gist of what happened, or rather what Dahlia discovered. She was worried, so Mia kicked me out to come over and check on you.”
“Mia was worried?”
“Yes, Mia’s worried. I was referring to Dahlia, though.”
I raise a brow in surprise. “She was really angry with me when my mom blurted it out.”
“I know.” He glances at me. “If you need to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Liam. I’m good.” Glancing at the mess I’ve created, I start to laugh. “I am now, at any rate.” Standing and dusting myself off, I ask, “Will you tell Dahlia that I need to explain everything to her? I don’t want her staying away because of what my mom told her.”
“Is it true?” Liam asks, as he glances toward the door—probably looking for an escape. If I were him, I’d rather be someplace else as well. “Yeah, it’s true.”
“Shit. You hid that well.”
“I was married six years ago. We’ve been separated for just as long, and that’s all I’m saying for now. I need to explain to Dahlia before anyone else.”
“I hear you, but if Reece finds out before you’ve spoken to her, he’s going to be pissed.”
I’d expect nothing less from Reece. He has every right to be pissed when it involves his sister.
“I’m going to head back to the house.” Liam looks me over and nods his head, as if he has decided something. He turns and heads toward the door. “I’ll give Dahlia your message.”
“Thanks.”
Dahlia
Why did my day have to go to hell? Before Ryder’s mom burst my bubble, I’d been really excited to finally have my relationship with Ryder moving forward. I’d even been waxed—everywhere—which had hurt like a bitch, and for what?
I just don’t get why he hasn’t said anything before about having a . . . wife. It’s as though I’ve been stabbed in the heart with a sharp object when I think of the word . . . the person. Someone out there is his wife. He’s lived here for over twelve months now, and there has never been any female visitors, which confuses the hell out of me. If they’re separated then surely it isn’t such a big deal, so why has it been made into one?
Mia has been wonderful by letting me hole up here. I needed to feel grounded . . . needed to be capable of talking to Ryder without my emotions getting the better of me, like they did out front of Kix.
I’m not embarrassed about what happened. I reacted and he’d seen it but it was understandable, because finding out he’s married really hurt. My feelings for him go a lot deeper than simple friendship, and I thought he felt the same about me—how wrong can I be?
Although we’ve known each other for most of the year he’s lived in town, we’ve grown close over the past week while I’ve been living above Kix with him. I have my own room, but we’ve eaten breakfast and dinner together nearly every day. We’ve talked about everything under the sun and although he’s always hinted about there being something in his past, he’s not once brought it up. He’s had plenty of opportunity, especially after I’ve told him all about mine and the way my father treated me. I feel betrayed, as though he’s led me on just to get into my panties, which I was planning to let him into after dinner tonight. That is so not going to be happening now.
Be honest—you know he isn’t like that.
Swiping at a stray tear, I turn away from the kitchen as Liam walks through the door and wraps his arms around his pregnant wife. Mia is gorgeous, and pregnant, she is glowing. The love that she has fo
r her husband, radiates across her face and it hurts to watch them. I’m sure if I wasn’t sitting in viewing distance, they’d be naked and doing more than cooking in the kitchen.
I’m not even sure why I came here. I could have just as easily called Reece to come and get me. But Reece wasn’t really an option. He’d have taken one look at me and gone after Ryder. No doubt, he would have gotten himself in trouble for starting something.
“God! What a mess.” I sigh.
“Hey. It’s a mess right now, but all you have to do is go and talk to him.”
I turn and face Liam, my eyes full of questions.
“If it’s any consolation, he looks just as bad as you do.” He winces. “I caught him throwing chairs around the bar.” Liam glances at Mia, who offers him a small smile. “He may be married, but it looks to me like he’s separated and has been for a while. Just pull yourself together and then go talk to him. He wants to tell you, and I think you need to listen.”
Does he know?
Liam shakes his head as if he’s reading my mind. “Don’t look at me like that. I have no idea what’s going on with him. But the only way you’re going to find out—”
“Is by asking him,” I finish for Liam.
