Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“No. No, I wouldn’t. Especially not with Angel in the picture.”
Angel rocked my world and put everything into perspective. Someone like Erica wouldn’t even make it through my doorway now.
“I don’t see how she could expect you to be all over her after she slept with your brother.”
I smirk, now realizing her anger isn’t directed toward me; she’s pissed at Erica. She’s cute when she’s being all protective. Rain told me they filled Allie in on the entire Erica debacle during moving day, but she said Allie never reacted. However, I see the anger blazing in her features right now, as though she’s offended on my behalf.
My chest tightens, and I frown. Allie cares about me, and I’m not sure what the hell to do with that.
I know what I want to do with it…
“I pointed that out during a party at the country club. I ended up with a drink thrown in my face. But that was the final nail in the coffin, and I was finally rid of her. I’d wear champagne all day every day to keep those results intact.”
I don’t think she means to laugh, but she does, quickly smothering it with her hand while apologizing. I grin while returning all my attention on the road. Not too much farther.
Allie’s laughter fades, and then she speaks softer. “Why did you marry her? Did you love her?”
I was afraid she was going to ask that.
“I’m scared to answer that one. I’m worried what you’ll think of me if I tell you the truth.”
She laughs lightly while scooting in closer, and I get a small whiff of strawberries. Damn, she smells good.
“No judgment. I swear. Relationships aren’t my strong suit either, so I’m not even going to pretend I have a right to judge.”
As much as I don’t want to tell her, I almost feel obligated to.
“Come on, Wren. You asked for a redo. I’m giving you a chance to clear the air and start with a clean slate. So unload it all. Or tell me it’s none of my business.”
Shit. She’s going to think I’m so fucking pathetic.
“Because, despite her betrayal and shortcomings, she wanted me. She was always there, and I didn’t have to work for the relationship at all. It was easy and it was stable. Mom was always lonely, and she never really dated much because of us—because she wanted to make sure we knew that we came first.”
After sighing, I drag in a deep breath before continuing.
“It didn’t have to be Erica—I realize any girl could have supplied company—but Erica loved the spotlight my name gave, and it took the attention off me when she dove into all the glitz and glamour I try to avoid. She fit into my life the way I wanted her to. It wasn’t complicated… until it was. I know that’s confusing, but at the time, she was safe.”
I expect her to balk at the explanation, but instead, she stays quiet, not seeming too disturbed by it. For some reason, I almost think she’s pleased. Which is not at all what I was prepared for.
“Did your brother ever explain how he could do that to you?” she asks softly, her pleased expression dissipating into sympathy.
Billy. Fucking Billy.
“Apparently, if you’re not close, it gives the other sibling the right to sleep with your fiancée without breaking some sort of unspoken rule most siblings have. Billy is… complicated. He never denied it happened, and he apologized, but I’m fairly sure you’re not supposed to be gloating when apologizing to me for sleeping with my fiancée. I realized then I could never trust him again, and trust was all we had left at that time. People judged me for forgiving her but not him. Honestly, I never forgave either of them. I just went on as though it didn’t happen. It seemed to be the best way to move forward, because resolving the issue took communication.
“Communication with Erica and Billy equals a migraine. And it’s not worth it. They both wanted it to be my fault—their warped minds had different reasons for that. They acted like I stripped them naked and forced them to fuck—figuratively speaking, of course.”
She grows quiet again, pensive. After several uncomfortable minutes, she breaks the silence.
“I think she was stupid. I think they both were,” she says softly, and I smile at her as she gets lost in the sights around us, intentionally not meeting my eyes.
A few months ago, she would have probably enjoyed knowing my brother hurt me, and loved the fact that my ex-wife was a cheater. Now she’s on my side. Things change quickly.
“What about you?” I ask, turning down the final road.
She smiles while looking at the ocean that is below us, and I resist the urge to take her hand that is resting between us.