Page 32 of The Right Kind of Wrong

Everyone had told me that Josh had a reputation and I didn't listen.

Did Nathan think it was my fault?

“Did he hurt you?” Nathan asked softly.

I shook my head.

“Do you want to go to the police?”

Once again, I shook my head. I knew how things like this worked, especially with families like my own that had a reputation to uphold. They would much rather settle things on their own, out of court, and keep their names intact. Everything and anything would be done to keep getting money and clients because that was the priority. I'd seen things get brushed under the rug, being ignored just because of who the person was.

“I shouldn't have let you leave.” He was unable to hide the regret in his voice.

I didn't say anything. It wasn't his fault, there was no one else to blame but myself for getting carried away with Josh despite the warnings received. To know that Nathan had gotten in into a fight made me feel even worse. His marriage was already falling apart and I somehow doubted him beating someone up in front of my sister’s potential clients would help the matter.

One thing was for sure. My sister would be pissed off at the fact that I couldn't keep Josh Nicholson happy. Her opportunity to make a deal with his parents and her convenient friendship with the family was most likely over.

“I'm sorry for the trouble.”

He removed his hand from mine, cupping a cheek in it. “It wasn't your fault,” he replied. “He shouldn't have touched you. It doesn't matter how close you two were or what the fuck he thought was going to happen, the second a woman says ‘no,’ a true man stops.”

“But he's a boy,” I repeated the same words he'd used before.

“He's a boy.”

There were so many things going on in that moment. Eyes that shouldn't have been looking at me with so much care were, hands that belonged to another woman were caressing my face, and my mind, all my mind could think of was about his lips on mine erasing the feel of Josh.

So I kissed him.

It wasn't like the kiss we'd shared in the basement. It was soft, tender. Sweet and devoted. He leaned his forehead against mine with a small smile adorning his face. He looked so handsome like that, even with a busted lip.

“I'm going to pretend I didn't see what just happened,” came Carter's voice from behind us. “Because some would consider sharing a kiss with your sister-in-law highly inappropriate, possibly even cheating.”

I pulled apart from Nathan, color rising to my cheeks at the thought of having been caught. Carter looked unamused and irritated, his glare directed towards Nathan. Even then, Nathan made no attempt to deny what had happened and took a seat on the sofa as relaxed as ever.

“Let's have a talk,” he said to Carter with a raised eyebrow.

My gaze flickered between both men.

Carter went into father mode, looking over at me with a firm stare. “Go with your Nana, she's getting the bed ready for you.”

As curious as I was about what they were about to discuss, I simply waved goodbye to both men. The night was starting to wear me out and all I wanted to do was rest. I took off the slippers I wore and finally laid down on the bed next to Nana. She hugged me, kissing my head.

I missed my mom.

I wished my dad would be there to protect me.

I hoped Hannah wouldn't put the blame on me.

I knew better though. Life doesn't always give you what you want and these were the cards I had been dealt; crushing on my brother-in-law and the wonderful gift of a selfish family.

Maybe it was time I accept it…time I started being a bit selfish.

“Nana?”

“Yes, dear?”

“I think I have a crush on Nathan.”

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