Page 109 of Rock On

“You’re not the asshole for what you’re feeling, but you might be one for calling off the wedding and leaving her behind. Did you even talk to her about what you’re feeling?”

“A little? But honestly, I was too freaked to have a rational conversation with her. I spent over a year believing she and Carter had both betrayed me and had an affair behind my back. Not to mention the fact that she hid River from me for three fucking years. It feels like she just keeps hitting me where it hurts and I’m struggling with trust.”

“Look, I’m no shrink, but you need to talk to her. Do you love her?”

“That’s not the point. We have to get past?—”

“Shut the fuck up, man. Do you love her? It’s a simple fucking question.”

“Well, yeah. Of course.”

“Are you prepared to walk away from everything you two have been planning and doing the last month or so?”

Was I?

Not even a little.

“No,” I muttered.

“Then what are you doing? How do you think she feels right now? You called off the wedding and then turned around and left, without even talking it out. How is that working out for you?”

Fuck.

“Why don’t you turn the fuck around and go home and talk to your girl? Don’t you love her enough to talk through it? If you’re gonna yell and argue, do it. Everyone argues. Don’t be mean, but you’re allowed to tell her she disappointed you. What you’re not allowed to do is walk away and leave her hanging. Remember how that felt when she did it?”

I did remember.

Like it was yesterday.

And it was the worst feeling in the world.

I checked the GPS on the dashboard.

The next exit was in a mile.

I was turning this car around and going back for my woman and my kid.

FORTY-TWO

Harley

It took me a good ten minutes to come to terms with the fact that Tommy had really left for Vegas without me. Then I wandered downstairs and went in search of my sister, which might have been a mistake.

“He did what?” Wynter looked furious when I told her what happened. “He just fucking left?!” Her voice rose with each word.

“Shhh,” I cautioned. “I don’t want River to hear you.”

“Why are you just sitting here?” she demanded.

“What should I be doing?” I asked glumly.

“Get your ass in the car and go to Vegas. Or, better yet, get your ass on a flight. You guys are not going to repeat history under my watch.”

“That’s not really what’s happening?—”

“Okay, semantics. It’s not but it is. He didn’t just leave without telling you like you did to him, but he left you behind. That’s almost worse. Like he got right in your face and told you he was going to Vegas without you and River. What kind of shit is that? No. Just fucking no. Come on, get up.”

“Where are we going?” I asked in confusion as she yanked me to my feet.

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