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When I didn’t say anything, she drew her own conclusion. And it was the right one.
“You still want her.”
I took a deep breath as I tried to gather my thoughts. “Things between us weren’t resolved when she left for Europe. And even though a lot of time has passed, I’m afraid things between us are still not resolved.”
“Why the fuck did you get involved with me if you had feelings for someone else?”
I ran my hands through my hair. “I thought I’d moved past them. I have genuine feelings and nothing but the utmost respect for you.”
As expected, she became angrier by the second. “This is bullshit, Dax. I can’t be with you if you have feelings for someone else.” She yelled up at the sky. “Nearly a year of my life down the drain.”
“It wasn’t my intention to waste your time, Morgan.”
The evening breeze blew her hair around as she shook her head. “Well, enjoy. Now you’re free to be with your little slut.”
Whoa. “You can be mad at me all you want, but leave her out of it. She didn’t do anything wrong, and she’s most certainly not a slut.”
“Only a slut would fuck her brother’s stepfather.” She pointed at me. “And you—who the hell fucks his stepson’s sister?” She rubbed her temples. “God, it makes my head spin just saying it out loud.”
I was almost relieved she was being so harsh because it lessened the blow of hurting her. Maybe I deserved it, but I still tried to defend myself.
“It wasn’t cut and dried, as much as you want to paint it that way. We hadn’t known each other for long before we developed a connection. And Rafe and I weren’t as close then as we are now.”
“That’s your excuse? If you don’t think it’s something shameful, then why not tell him?” When I didn’t answer, her face changed. “I wonder what he’d think if I told him.” She laughed angrily.
That rattled me. I didn’t know if she was serious, but if Rafe were ever to find out, it was going to be from me—not from anyone else. Over my dead body. “Why would you even joke about that? You think it’s funny to hurt a kid?” I closed my eyes a moment. “Look, I understand you’re shocked and upset. I don’t blame you one bit. But your attitude right now is surprising. I didn’t cheat on you, nor would I. You walked in on a conversation, and I’m sorry about that. I—”
“You know what?” She began walking back inside. “I’m getting an Uber, and I’m leaving. We don’t have anything more to say to each other.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe this.”
“We need to talk about this when you’re less drunk and less angry,” I called after her, though I knew there wasn’t much more to say.
It’s over.
• • •
The following morning, paranoia consumed me. I hadn’t wanted to make an even bigger scene, so I’d left the party right after my blowout with Morgan. Would she do something rash to get back at me? Would she see to it that Rafe found out about me and Wren?
More to the point, how was I supposed to deal with the fact that I couldn’t seem to live without Wren? I wavered between telling Rafe the truth and vowing that he would never find out. Would he understand? Would he forgive me? He was older, more mature now. Then again, he and I were closer now—did that make what I did even more wrong?
I’d survived a lot of things—estrangement from my family, the death of my wife, losing Wren. But I didn’t think I could survive hurting that boy when I’d been the only constant in his life—when he’d been the only constant in mine.
I leaned my forearms against the kitchen table and held my head in my hands. Rafe had left earlier this morning for a track meet, so thankfully he wouldn’t have to witness me in this state. I needed to use this time to figure out my next step.
“Hey,” I heard.
I looked up to find Rafe standing at the entrance to the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my heart pounding. “I thought you were at your track meet.”
“I’m not feeling well, so I told the coach I needed to sit this one out. I got a ride home from someone.”
“You never skip meets. Even when you’re sick.”
He ignored my comment. “Why did you have your head in your hands?”
“I’m just…going through some stuff.”
He continued to stand at the doorway. “Is this about my sister?”
I froze. All I could manage was, “What?”
“Are you upset because you’re in love with my sister?”
What? Panic squeezed my chest. Morgan. She fucking told him. “Did Morgan say something to you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I did…a bad thing.”
