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“I think if we get married, maybe I can keep my father from doing something to you.”
“You just said a second ago we can’t stop him.” I yanked on my hair.
“I have to try.”
Something about the smallness of her voice caused a fissure in my anger.
“You don’t even live in this country.”
“All the better, right? You can do what you want.”
She hadn’t grown up with an example of what marriage should be. And in her world, marriages were obviously used as transactions.
But in mine, marriage was sacred.
Ma was still devoted to Dad even though he’d been gone six years. My brothers loved their wives. My grandparents had been devoted, no matter that they bickered like they had been born to argue.
Your brother’s wife cheated on him with his best friend and got knocked up.
Well, it was supposed to be sacred.
“I don’t want to be married to someone who lives on the other side of the world.”
Her face brightened. “If that’s a deal breaker, I’ll move back. Now can we go to Connecticut?”
“I didn’t say yes.”
In my wildest imagination, I never pictured a woman askingmeto marry her. And I sure as hell didn’t think that woman would be Beau.
“If you’ll just drive, by the time we get there, you’ll agree.”
In the old days, she was right.Nowasn’t a word I said to her. Ever.
Replacing one groom with another wasn’t a solution. I wasn’t even sure it was a temporary fix.
Beau was handing me everything I’d ever wanted.
Except she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life with me. I was just an easy target.
“I’m sorry, baby sister. But I can’t do it.”
Her shoulders drooped. I couldn’t stand the defeat in her posture, but she’d realize I was right.
“I can’t marry him,” she whispered.
“But that’s not a good enough reason for you to marry me.”
She dropped her chin to her chest and fiddled with her gold chain. Then she pulled down the visor and flipped open the mirror.
She used her phone as a light to rub the makeup off her jaw.
Every bruise revealed was like a gut punch.
She glared at her reflection, as if she were furious with herself for ever letting that happen.
“It’s not your fault.”
I hoped she heard me. Believed me.
