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Chapter 21
Ember
When Colt and Wendy walked into Stewart’s condo, my heart fell to my knees. I knew what they would think, and Colt had those exact thoughts written all over his face.
When Stewart ran out after Colt, Wendy cocked her head to the side and studied me. “I’m not going to jump to the same conclusions as my son, but if you have done what he believes you might have, I’m going to become one angry woman.”
I sat up straight, pulling the lapels of the robe tightly closed. “No, Wendy, I swear! It’s not what it looks like. I would never do that!”
“And why should I believe you?” She came around the couch and sat down.
“Because,” I swallowed and no matter how hard I tried to hold the tears back, they rushed forward anyways, “because I love Colt. I would never do that to hurt him.”
She was quiet for a few moments, and I dropped my face into my hands. My god, I had ruined everything for everyone.
“Ember, look at me.” I swiped at my tears and turned to face her. I had nothing to hide, nothing but my shame of causing so much pain. “Ember, did you sleep with Stewart?”
“No, I would never do that.”
“And do you love my son?” she asked.
“Yes, god, yes,” I began to sob and heard the door close in the hallway.
Stewart started talking as soon as he walked into the room. “Wendy, I swear, it’s not what it seems like.”
“I know it’s not. Stewart, sweetheart, can you go put a shirt on.”
“Sure, I’ll be right back.” I heard him leave and felt the couch shift as she scooted closer to me. I must have been dreaming when I felt her hand on my back.
“Ember, tell me what happened.”
“I thought he cared, I thought he loved me, but it was all a cruel joke.”
“What? Honey, Colt loves you.” Wendy pulled me back so I was resting my head on her shoulder, and I was so tired that I couldn’t fight it. For a second it was like I was back in my own mother’s arms, and the sobs tore through my soul.
A few minutes later, Stewart came back and I heard the two of them speaking about what had happened. He relayed what I’d told him, and twenty minutes later, the truth was out.
Funny thing was: Wendy said Colt had told her on their way over that he thought I was pretty fantastic, and she was pretty sure that Colt was no doubt in love with me. I begged to differ, but after Wendy explained what had happened to Colt during the day, I began to think through everything.
Stewart ended up leaving the two of us alone and cooked dinner while Wendy and I talked. I told her everything, starting with the accident six years earlier all the way up to falling in love with her son. As embarrassing as it was, I told her the truth about me and explained how Colt had not only opened my eyes but also my heart. She smiled and asked questions, but never appeared to judge me.
That night, I slept in Stewart’s guest bed, and the next day I went home. Wendy said not to worry and that she had an idea. She told me that she wanted me at their wedding, and that by the end of the night, all would be well.
Well, that night had arrived, and I sat at the table in the back corner and began to tremble the moment Colt walked in the door. Stewart came in as planned and gave me a reassuring look before he sat next to Colt. A few minutes later, Colt spun around in his seat, and I stopped breathing. Would he walk out? Would he come over and question me? Would he even care?
Stewart left, but I only knew that because he was no longer beside Colt. Colt slowly got out of his seat and moved toward me. Time seemed to stand still.
He was five feet away when he stopped. From the moment he had turned, he had not taken his gaze off my face. Could he see me shaking? I clasped my hands more tightly under the table.
“Ember,” his voice was like a balm to a burn, and yet it kept me on edge.
“Colt,” I replied so softly I wasn’t sure he would hear.
“Was what Stewart said true?”
“I don’t know what he told you,” I replied—even upset I had the tendency to be blunt.
Colt sat in the chair across from me. “Did you sleep with him?”
