AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I mean that I’ve always known that you two love each other. It’s been obvious since we were kids, but Anson has too much honor to do something about it. He thinks that he’s going to hurt me by going after you.”
I want to laugh at Anson having honor, but I manage to hold myself back.
“I don’t mind, though. Anson is a good guy, and I trust him. I know that he would never hurt you.”
I swallow hard, staring at the far wall.
“I love you both. I just want both of you to be happy,” Rhett says, and I see Goldie shift.
She’s obviously uncomfortable with being here for this conversation. I’m not sure what to say back to Rhett.
Do I tell him that we did sleep together, and then Anson said fuck his honor and disappeared? Do I tell him that I’m pregnant?
I’m saved from having to answer by the hospital door opening and Anson rushing in.
EIGHT
Anson
SeeingLottie again is like a kick in the gut.
I thought that I would be in charge the next time that I faced her. I thought that I would be calm and have a solid plan. Instead, it’s happening on the most stressful day of my life. I’m not calm or in control of anything right now.
When she didn’t hold the elevator, I knew that she was pissed. I could see it on her face. Her eyes were hard, filled with fury.
I know that I hurt her. I know that I fucked up. The worst part is that I don’t even have a good excuse. I just panicked and didn’t know how to fix any of this. I still don’t.
I was upset with myself for betraying Rhett, and that’s all that I could think about after I slept with Lottie. I was so wrapped up in feeling like an asshole to my oldest friend that I pulled back from the girl of my dreams. By doing so, I fucked up with Lottie.
I don’t want to hurt Rhett or ruin our friendship, but I think I did that when I slept with his little sister. I never wanted to hurt Lottie, but I did that when I slept with her and then disappeared. Either way, I did the one thing I never wanted to do and hurt both of them.
I don’t think I could have won or gotten away without hurting one of them, but I’ve realized that I should have chosen Lottie. I can’t live without her, especially not now that I’ve had her. I need her in my life. I’ve learned that in the last few weeks.
I take a deep breath as I walk into Rhett’s room with Theo hot on my heels. He had dropped me off at the door while he parked the car, but by the time I figured out Rhett’s room number, he had caught up to me.
“Hey,” I greet the room as I walk in, my eyes straying to Lottie before they lock on Rhett. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. Really,” he says, giving Lottie a look when she steps closer to him.
Being face-to-face with Rhett just brings everything to the forefront for me. I know I will need to come clean and tell him that I slept with his sister. Should I do it now, though? Or wait until he’s on the mend more and at least out of the hospital.
Once again, I’m back to that weird state where it feels like I’m not on solid ground. I’m used to having a plan. I’m used to getting orders, following a plan of attack, and things running smoothly. It’s part of the reason why I love the military. It’s the complete opposite of my childhood, and I’ve grown used to the routine of that career, and I miss it now that I’m in this situation.
I look over to Lottie again, and I can’t put my finger on it, but Lottie seems different. She looks tired, and guilt starts to eat away at me. Has she been feeling alright since I left? She seems pale, and I wonder if she’s been feeling sick.
I should have been there for her.
Self-disgust and guilt gnaw at me as I move to the other side of Rhett’s bed. He’s hooked up to so many monitors and the annoying but comforting beep of the heart monitor fills the room.
“What have the doctors said?” I ask, stealing another glance at Lottie, but her gaze is firmly on her brother.
“I don’t remember much. I was on a lot of pain medicine when I got here, and it was just the nurse who was in here when I woke up a few minutes ago,” Rhett says.
He keeps looking between Lottie and me, and I start to tense up.
“I’ll go find the doctor,” Theo says, and I jump.
I had forgotten that he was there at all, and when I turn around, he’s already halfway out the door.
