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“We did, actually.”
I ran a hand through my short hair. “See?”
His jaw tightened. “You don’t get it. The problem isn’t your relationship with Sarah and Addy. It’s you pushing them away.”
“I don’t need the distraction of a relationship right now. None of you are seeing anyone. I don’t see what the problem is.” I edged away from him, needing to be done with this conversation. I didn’t like the scrutiny of my actions.
He held up his hands. “We’re not seeing anyone because we haven’t met anyone who was worth it. Ireland was there for Emmett last night.”
I shook my head. “That’s different.”
Heath crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me how it’s different.”
“They’re in a committed relationship. They’re probably getting engaged soon.”
“They haven’t known each other long.”
“Is there a point to this conversation? We need to get back to work.” I’d do anything to get away from Heath and his scrutiny.
“How do you feel about Sarah and Addy?” he asked softly.
I shrugged, trying to ignore the erratic beating of my heart that said otherwise. “It was nice while it lasted.”
“Not the relationship. How do you feel about them specifically?” Heath persisted.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I said, even as I remembered Sarah telling me she loved me during our argument.
Heath raised a brow. “Are you in love with her?”
“Does it matter?” I asked, not ready to scrutinize my feelings too closely. To walk away, I had to put up a wall and push those feelings away.
“Of course, it matters. You can be there for your family and love Sarah,” Heath said reasonably, as if he had any idea what he was talking about.
I shook my head before he finished his sentence. “I think I proved otherwise last night.”
“We were here. There’s always someone nearby who can help Mom. The responsibility for the family doesn’t just fall to you or Emmett.”
“It’s falls on me now that Emmett has Ireland.” I realized too late what I’d revealed.
He gestured at me. “That’s what I’m talking about. You aren’t responsible for this family.”
“Someone has to be. Look what happened to Dad.” The words felt like I’d dug them out of a deep well and then flung them into the air between us. I never should have thrown them out there for him to analyze and find lacking.
Heath’s mouth dropped open, and he seemed stunned. A few seconds later, his voice gentled. “Dad had a massive heart attack. Either the signs weren’t there, or he was ignoring them. He wasn’t going to the doctor like he should. You couldn’t have prevented that.”
“You can’t know that. I wasn’t here. Where I should have been.” I gestured around me, at the farm.
Heath shook his head. “You went to college and got a job. You were doing exactly what you were supposed to.”
“I wasn’t there for Mom, Dad, or any of you. I won’t let that happen again. Then last night, I was distracted. I was at Sarah’s. I shouldn’t have been. If I were here, I could have—”
“You could have done exactly what we did. We didn’t need you there. We handled it, and no one blames you.”
“I’m pissed at myself.”
He sighed. “You have to let this guilt and blame go before it festers and consumes you.”
Talon approached. “What are you guys talking about?”
