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49
AARON
Aaron hunched over his shot of whiskey at The Shipwreck. Charlie had tried to talk to him, but she must have read his misery because she’d nodded towards Mason across the room and left him alone.
Mason leaned his back against the wooden bar, on the stool next to him. Aaron had just finished explaining the truth to his friend.
“Wow. I wondered, with how quick everything happened.”
“Pippa didn’t tell you?” Aaron asked.
“She knew?” Mason’s eyes widened.
“Brynn told her in the beginning.”
“That little . . . I can’t believe she didn’t say anything to me.”
“I know Brynn swore her to secrecy.” Aaron hoped he didn’t just start something for the happy couple. They’d dealt with enough issues between them.
Mason waved his hand. “That figures, then . . . So, was she a project for you to fix?”
Aaron’s jaw clenched as he straightened. “Absolutely not.”
One of Mason’s eyebrows rose as he scrutinized Aaron.
Aaron sighed. “I wanted to help her, yes. I knew I could save Dani from possible terrible outcomes. But everything between Brynn and I was because I cared about her. Yes, I wanted to help her work through her shit, but isn’t that true for anyone who loves their partner?”
Mason nodded. “Yeah, it is. But we can’t always save them. Some people have dragons only they can slay. Other times, you just have to get used to having those demons around because they aren’t going anywhere. Sure, they may slink into the shadows, but they’re still there, waiting for the opportunity to sneak back out when it’s least convenient.”
“Speaking from experience?” Aaron asked.
“Unfortunately.”
“I can’t let her go. I love her like—” He clutched his chest at the blooming ache that never seemed to ease since she’d told him she was leaving.
“Like she’s a part of your soul,” Mason finished for him.
“Yeah.” Aaron ran a hand over his overgrown stubble. He hadn’t shaved in days. He hadn’t been home either. The house just seemed so empty and lifeless without Dani and Brynn. So, he’d poured himself into working at Hope and sleeping on the couch there.
“I can speak from experience. A marriage won’t work unless you’re both fighting for it. If she isn’t willing to forgive you and try to move on, then . . .” Mason cast a sympathetic gaze his way.
“Then I’m fucked.”
“Is there anything else she needs from you that you haven’t given her yet?”
Aaron tipped back his shot glass, letting the alcohol burn his throat. He set it on the bar and shook his head. “I’ve given her time and space even though it’s killed me. She won’t let me give her the car back; she’s so fucking stubborn and independent. She won’t let me take care of her at all.”
“You can be too independent. The trick is learning to be interdependent—each being able to stand alone at some times, and then lean on each other when needed.” Mason crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe you should give her what she wants.”
“Let her go?” Aaron’s voice broke. How could he let someone he loved so fiercely go?
“Maybe she needs to see you’ll do whatever she needs, despite how much it will destroy you. That makes you the opposite of her ex.”
Aaron’s stomach churned, bile rising in his throat. Chaos erupted in his body at the thought of divorcing Brynn. Everything inside him rejected the idea. But maybe Mason was right. He couldn’t make this marriage work without Brynn. And if she really wanted him to leave her alone, even if it went against everything his heart told him, he’d let her go.
He breathed out in defeat, every last bit of hope draining with it.
