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Exactly. “She’s grieving. She needs people who care.”
“She’s got us. And she’s got you, too.”
I shake my head. “It’s…over. I’ll let her explain if she wants to share. I can’t do anything right now except respect her wishes and go.”
Noah scowls. “You’re walking away from her?”
“Not by choice.” And not forever. “She wants me to. And…I deserve to suffer.”
“Whoa. Slow your roll.” Harlow’s husband looks at me as if I’ve lost my damn mind. “You’re giving up? When she needs you most?”
I open my mouth to explain, but Maxon waves a hand in my face. “I get it. You’re doing the altruistic thing for some reason. It’s a mistake. Maybe that’s my perspective because ruthless is bred into my veins. It’s a Reed trait…along with not knowing your heart. That’s where Bethany is at right now. If I had only listened to my head, I wouldn’t be married to the best woman in the world and I wouldn’t have a beautiful baby girl.”
“Same for Harlow,” Noah cuts in. “I can’t tell you how often she tried to put distance between us. I’m damn glad I was pushy and tenacious.”
Their admissions surprise me. I thought they’d always been deliriously happy. Nice to know someone overcame their differences and found happiness. Just not sure that’s ever going to be Bethany and me…
“Did either one of you deceive your wives?”
Their identical scowls might have been comical if I was in any mood to laugh.
“No,” Noah admits.
Maxon shakes his head. “But I did plenty of other shitty stuff. Trust me. Do you love Bethany?”
“Yes.” I came for my pound of flesh…but I’m the one who lost my heart.
“Then we’ll help you.”
“Why?” It’s a passing curiosity. His help or lack thereof isn’t going to change the outcome. Bethany has to decide on her own that she wants me. “When we first met, you didn’t like me much.”
“I didn’t. But the more time my sister spent with you, the more she came out of her shell. None of us had managed to get past her defenses. You did. If you give up on her now, she’ll only retreat into herself. And since I’ve gone this route—so has Griff—she’ll turn brittle. If you love her, don’t let that happen.”
I look up at Beth. The wives are reaching out to offer their comfort and support…and already I see her pulling away.
“Believe me, I have no intention of walking away forever, but she needs time to grieve. And she needs time to figure out if she can forgive me. I’m not going far, though. And she’ll have to tell me that she’ll never love me before I give up on her completely.”
Maxon smiles his approval and claps me on the shoulder. “Perfect. Keep working on her. We’ll help. She’ll come around.”
I can only hope.
Noah nods. “Why don’t you crash for the night and come back in the morning when she’s fresh. Right now, she’s in no shape to make lifelong decisions. Things may look a lot different tomorrow.”
I doubt it, but I nod and exchange digits with the guys. “I’ll be back. Take care of her for me until then, huh?”
Maxon nods. “You got it.”
As I climb in my car, I’m grateful to see the two men join the rest of the family to exchange condolences and hugs. They’re not letting Bethany shy away from their comfort or support. As much as I hate leaving her now, I know she’ll be in good hands until I can wrap my arms around her again and begin proving that I am the man she can count on. Until she believes deep down that I’m the same man she fell for.
I stop by the apartment we moved into only yesterday, when the day was bright and the possibilities were seemingly endless. But everywhere I look I see Beth now. I can’t stay here. It’s too haunted. I can’t miss her this much without losing my mind. Instead, I grab a shower and a clean change of clothes, then head to Ash’s, who welcomes me with a beer and an ear.
It’s close to dawn when I finally find sleep on his lumpy piece-of-shit sofa. I wake up a few hours later, feeling less than rested but beyond ready to start winning Bethany back.
When I reach the inn a little before ten, Maxon greets me with his mouth pressed in a grim line. “She’s gone. I’m sorry. We tried… She’s leaving the island. And honestly, I don’t know where she’s going or if she’s coming back.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Three months later
Los Angeles
Bethany
My hand trembles as I smooth my skirt, then press my fingers across my jittery stomach to calm it. Above me, the sunny spring sky wraps me in California blue. Behind me, my car door hangs open. Stay or go? But I know the answer. It’s now or never. Do or die.
