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I’m shocked. I know what I saw. He was with her. “Maybe it was only the one night, but it happened.”
He has a look of doubt on his face. “I think you’re wrong.”
Why is he telling me this? We just had sex, and he wants me to be with him. His words don’t fit with his desires. It’s a little conflicting. I feel like I have whiplash. Then it sinks in. He wants me to choose him because I want him, too, not because I’m angry with Brady. He’d rather not have me than be second best. My heart hurts.
I’m not wrong, though. I saw it all. Tug can deny it all he wants. I saw it in the pictures, too. They look like a couple deeply in love. I look at Tug and cross my arms over my chest. “Whatever!” Wow! I sound like a child. “He’s hasn’t made any effort to contact me, and he signed the annulment papers immediately. It’s over.”
He holds his hands up defensively. “Hey, I’m not going to argue with you.”
I realize my anger is directed at the wrong person. “Thanks, Tug.” I smile.
He smiles back. “Are we good?”
I nod.
Tug rises from the bed and picks up his keys. “Should I take you home now?”
Home? Oh, shit! My parents! My mother will be frantic. I jump up from the bed. Tug drapes his arm around me. “Relax, sweet girl.” He drops a kiss on the side of my head. “I called your mom and told her that we had wine with dinner and I thought it best to wait until morning to bring you home.”
I smile, stretch up onto my tiptoes, and kiss him on the cheek. “Thanks, Tuggy. You’re too good to me.”
He looks down, directly into my eyes. “I just want you to be happy.” His voice falters. I am happy, but also miserable. The look on his face tells me things between us are changed forever.
I dart my eyes away from his and look at my feet. Why did I let this happen?
Tug goes to the door and opens it. “Let’s get you home.”
“Tug…”
“I told you, we’re good.” He looks annoyed and walks over to the door.
I march to him. “It wasn’t a mistake.” He sighs heavily. “I mean it. Yes, maybe it wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t drinking, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want it, too. I care about you.”
“But you’re still in love with Brady.”
We’ve been here before, Tug wanting more than I can ever give him. He’s hurt.
“I love you, too.” My lungs constrict as I hold off tears. I really do love them both, and probably always have. “It’s different, but I do.”
“I love you, too, sweet girl.”
He pulls me in for a hug. I wrap my arms around him and squeeze hard. I don’t want to let go. I’m afraid of how things will be if I do.
“I’ll take you any way I can get you, even if it’s only as my friend.”
I lean back and peer up at his sad face. “Promise me that won’t change. That we’ll always be friends.”
He smiles. “I promise.”
I return his smile and grab his hand to leave. “Good, because I’d rather streak naked through town than lose you.”
He laughs a genuine laugh. I feel better. We’re good.
Brady
I wake twitching, a sudden jolt bolting me upright. I’m covered in sweat. My head is pounding. I was dreaming. Tori was holding a blood-covered Mona in her arms, begging me to save her. I would do anything to save her. I would do anything to save our marriage. I’m too late. There is no marriage to save.
It’s been a grueling month without her. When I received the annulment papers, it nearly killed me. I shouldn’t have signed them. It was a mistake. I was angry and hurt.
