Page 28

She pulls in a big breath, releasing it on a big sigh. “I need to get out more.”

“You do,” I agree, probably too quickly. I add, “Andy and Shy both miss you.”

“I know.” There’s guilt in her tone. “I miss them, too.”

“Why don’t you have them over one day?”

“I—well⁠—”

I chance a peek at her to see her face is flushed. I look back at the road. “What is it?”

“They don’t know that we’re—you know...”

“We’re what?”

She sighs again, this time in frustration. “I don’t know, Tate.”

“What are we?”

“Fake—ish? I don’t know.”

“We’re not fake.” The words hurt. It feels like a fire poker has been stabbed into my gut. “You’re wearing my ring on your finger. We live together. I have every intention of marrying you and raising your baby as my own.”

“I know I just⁠—”

“What?” I’m not mad, just hurt. The hurt comes out a little sharp and she flinches.

Her voice is quiet. “We’re not like normal couples is all. We—I sleep in a different room. We don’t—we aren’t—I don’t know, Tate,” she stutters. “I just worry if I have them over—if I have anyone over—they’ll see through it all.”

“Then stay in my room.” The words just fly out. I don’t mean for it—not really. I add, “I mean, we’re going to want to start making a nursery, right?”

“I think the baby should sleep in my room with me for a while…”

“Yeah, but there’ll be a lot of wakings throughout the night, right? If we’re all in the same room, I can help. I want to help.”

“I just don’t know if I’m ready for—for sex.”

“I’m not asking for that.” Fucking fuck, I don’t want her to feel like I’m pushing for that. I’m not. It wasn’t long ago she was my brother’s. She’s carrying his child… “I just want to be involved in everything, is all. I want you to be happy.”

I feel like I could be sick. Hot prickles nip at the back of my neck, even in the cold.

“I am happy.”

“You’re sad, Faye.” My voice cracks on her name. “Even I can see you’re sad.”

She’s quiet for a long time. So quiet, I think the conversation is done.

When she speaks, there’s a vulnerable tremble that has me wishing I could safely pull over to the side of the road and pull her into my arms.

“I feel like such a terrible person. I close my eyes at night and cry myself to sleep, not only because my heart is broken because I know I’ve broken his—but because I’ve disappointed everyone I love. Everyone, Tate. They all look at me like I’m this evil witch coming between brothers and I—it’s hard not to see the same thing when I look in the mirror.”

“You’re not evil.” My hands tighten on the steering wheel. “And you’re not coming between us, Faye. You’ve always been there. From the moment you moved in across the street, from the moment we saw you, you’ve been between us.”

A small sob topples from between her lips. “Tate⁠—”

“It’s not bad. It just is what it is.”

“It hurts here.”