Page 28 of Rhett Redeemed

Especially because I’m not that kind of woman. I’d never go against girl code, and I like to think of myself as someone who can be trusted. I’ve only just gotten Cara into my life and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. I don’t think that she knows how truly important she is to me.

I didn’t reply to Rhett’s text. It wasn’t his fault what happened—he didn’t know who I was either—but clearly the two of us could have communicated better and if we had, we could have figured this whole thing out before it got to this.

It also means that Cara hasn’t really opened up to me much or I’d have known more information about Rhett from her. I guess because I came into her life during her Decker stage, that’s all I know and hear about. Rhett was a different chapter for her, and one that I wasn’t a part of.

I felt so much happier with Rhett in my life, getting to know him, but now I feel worse than before I met Cara. I’m all the way back at the start, which hurts after making so much progress. Will I lose my job now? Maybe when they hear about what happened, they won’t want me there; Cara got me the job after all. I could deal with losing the job, but I couldn’t deal with losing her.

All I need is five minutes of her time to explain.

I decide to give her a few days to cool down and then I’ll show up at her house and make her listen to me. I don’t know how one says sorry for sleeping with an ex, but I’m going to try.

It’s all that I can do.

Monday rolls around and I’m looking forward to going to work as a distraction. Rhett doesn’t text or call me again, and I think it’s because he’s realized the same thing I have—we aren’t going to work out. It’s just not possible, unless Cara is okay with it, and I doubt she’s ever going to be.

I do care about him, but Cara comes first. If I had to choose between them, I’d choose my sister every time.

“Good morning,” Bronte says to me, smiling as I step into the garage. She acts normal, which makes me think they haven’t heard about any of the drama from the weekend. I don’t think Cara would ever do that to me, but you never know. I don’t know where I stand right now or what she’s thinking, and it’s making me feel very anxious and on edge. She can take away all that she has given me if she feels like it.

“Good morning.” I rest my handbag on my desk and tidy the files there. “Victoria off today?” I ask, referring to the other receptionist that works here.

“Yeah, she’s actually got a few days off because she’s going away on vacation,” Bronte reminds me.

Oh yeah.

I need to focus on work. I’m not someone who is good at pretending that everything is fine when it’s not, but I am professional and do my best to act like it’s any normal day, and that my heart isn’t hurting.

It’s hard, but it’s called being an adult.

I live my life on autopilot for the next few days. I work as hard as I can, and when I get home I play my guitar, losing myself in music, or I aggressively clean and organize my house. That seems to keep me busy. I wait until Thursday after work when I decide to try to speak to Cara.

I show up at her house with some flowers and a bottle of wine. I realize at the last second that’s probably what a cheating man would show up with, but I don’t know, I just didn’t want to come here empty-handed.

Decker opens the door, eyes widening when he sees me. I stop him before he can say anything. “I know she’s mad at me, but I just want to apologize and explain my side of the story to her. So please, let me do that.”

He glances into the house and nods. “Okay. She’s outside in the garden.”

“Thank you,” I say, stepping past him and walking through their house and out the back door. I find her sitting on the ground surrounded by seedlings.

“Thirty,” I hear her counting, and I realize they must be for school.

“Hey, Cara,” I say, making her jump.

She turns around and looks up at me. “Hey, what are you doing here?” She doesn’t sound angry, just surprised.

“I was hoping we could talk about what happened. I thought I’d give you a few days to cool down, but it’s been hard,” I admit, placing the flowers and alcohol down on the grass next to her. “These are for you.”

“Con—”

“Just please hear me out, Cara. I didn’t know that Rhett was your ex-boyfriend. And he didn’t know I was your sister. Half sister, whatever. I’m so sorry, I never would have gone near him if I knew, but I didn’t. I’ve only ever known you as being with Decker. I never saw you with Rhett and I don’t think we ever talked about your ex-boyfriend by name. I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I never meant to.”

She picks up the sunflowers and stares at them. “I was in shock when I saw the two of you there together, I have to admit. I didn’t know what to think, but I did feel betrayed. Rhett is free to move on with his life—I want him to be happy—but never once did I think I’d see him with you.”

“I know,” I agree, sitting down next to her, legs crossed. “And I never thought I was going to walk into that party and have all of that happen. When I knew he was a biker I should have spoken to you about it; I know you have all those biker ties. But never once did I think...” I trail off and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I just want you to know that I would never purposely hurt you. That’s not who I am.”

“I know,” Cara replies, forcing a smile. “And thank you for coming and explaining this to me. To be honest, I’m not angry. I just needed a little time to process it. I know that everyone else is wild about it and expects me to be really hurt, but I think it was more the shock of it all.”

“I know it’s a little awkward now, but I’m not seeing him anymore. It’s all over with. And I’d like it if you could forgive me.”

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