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Large prints of candid shots—Luke, Kellan, Fallon—and Charlene. At a bar, laughing and drinking, kissing. Nausea unfurls in the back of my throat, and it’s definitely not morning sickness.
Another picture shows them in a bedroom, Kellan’s, by the look of the wallpaper. They’re naked. “Oh, God,” I quiver and throw the photos as far away as I can.
They scatter and fall to the floor, snippets of moments past, moments sent my way solely for the purpose of tearing my heart wide open. This is it. This is what they’ve been holding back. The ugly side of the truth. They weren’t just foes in a legal sense. They were lovers.
I knew I wasn’t the first, but to see that Charlene had also been with them hits me hard and deep in the worst possible way. This is a different kind of betrayal, one I didn’t expect. Why didn’t they tell me when they found out I was working for her?
Could it be that they still have feelings for her? Unresolved matters? They claimed they were keeping me in the dark for my own safety, but after seeing the photos, I’m starting to believe it’s got nothing to do with my safety.
Sickened by the photos and the realization that my men have deliberately betrayed my trust, I let my logic take over. I need to cover my own ass. Professionally, financially, emotionally. I jumped from one bad relationship with a narcissistic psychopath to another relationship where secrets seem to be growing like oranges in a grove.
I have to get myself and my girls away from here. I need room to breathe.
I can’t be here for another second. Not one more fucking second. The anger is too much to bear. The betrayal. The embarrassment. Oh, God, Charlene looked me dead in the eyes and told me about her past relationships, and not once did I put two and two together.
“I need to get out of here,” I gasp and grab my bag.
Five minutes later, I’m in the girls’ room, packing a suitcase and making sure I’ve got some of their favorite toys to bring along. Wherever I’m going next, I have to make sure Miley and Annie don’t feel too shaken by the sudden change of environment. They’ve been through enough, but dammit, I can’t stay a second longer.
14
Avery
Aweek seems a lot longer when you’re dodging calls, texts, and emails from your three boyfriends. They came home that day expecting to have a nice dinner and another steamy session in the playroom, until they went upstairs and found the photos in my office.
They knew why I left. And now, they want to explain.
I asked for the truth so many times, and now they want to talk to me about Charlene, after I’ve learned said truth from a stranger. To say that I’m angry would be an understatement. Yet every day that I’m not with Kellan, Fallon, and Luke is miserable. I know I wouldn’t be feeling such hurt, such misery, if I didn’t love and care for them as much as I do.
Annie and Miley are so confused. I can’t blame them. They were used to the mansion and the people there. It was our home, and I took them out of there without a reasonable explanation. I’m renting a small townhouse in Hershey for the next couple of months. They shouldn’t have to pay for my emotional damage, for the guys’ secrecy and mistakes. They’re innocent in all of this.
It tears me apart on the inside but I don’t regret my decision.
Kellan, Fallon, and Luke should’ve gone about things differently. They should’ve told me the whole truth from the very beginning.
“Momma, when is Kellan coming to see us?” Miley asks me one morning as I’m getting her and Annie ready for school.
Annie is being particularly fussy, and I know it’s because she hasn’t seen Fallon in a week. He always reads her a bedtime story before sleep. I feel awful for having to do this, but I can’t allow anyone to hurt me anymore, and I want to teach my girls that they deserve honesty and respect from every relationship.
“I don’t know, honey,” I tell Miley. “I need you to put your coat on while I get your sister into her uniform.”
“Where is Kellan?” my eldest daughter insists, a subtle frown pulling her brows together.
“Miley, we’ll talk about it later, I promise. But please, help me out here.”
She lets out a dramatic sigh before noticing me struggling with Annie. I’ve managed to pull half of her clothes on. Like a little grownup, Miley comes over to help, keeping Annie distracted with silly faces, making her sister laugh until I manage to get the whole outfit on.
“Thank you, sweetie,” I tell her, then plant a kiss on Annie’s forehead.
“Momma! I want Fallon!” Annie moans.
I have to keep them distracted until we reach the school. There are moments when their outspoken need to see the guys has me feeling like I’m not enough, even though I understand preciselywhat’s going on. I know that the girls miss the attention and security of the guys, but I need to get my life sorted first.
“We’ll see Fallon and Kellan soon,” I say as I take both of their hands and walk them out to the car.
Once I’ve got them strapped in their seats, I take a deep breath and try to figure out what the hell I’m going to do next. It’s been a long week. I miss them so much, but I’m still angry. The worst part is that they’ve put me in a position where I really have to consider picking up Charlene’s project again—it’s easy and good money. I need that to cover my expenses, at least for a while, until I figure out my next steps.
“Dammit,” I curse under my breath as I look at my surroundings.
