Page 136 of Forbidden Lyrics

Besides, it’s a moot point.

“Gibbs and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms right now, so you don’t have to worry. I won’t say anything to him.”

“And that’s my fault,” she murmurs. “I’m sorry. For keeping you in the dark. For being too scared to come clean and admit the truth. Everything. And I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know that if I could go back and tell you the truth, I would. I really am so sorry.”

We both lean back against the headboard before she nudges her shoulder against mine.

The ounce of normalcy from her blip of contact along with her sincere apology makes me pause, giving me hope for a future where we can get along and be open with each other without me having to demand it.

My heart may be shattered right now, but at least something good came out of it. An opportunity to finally reconnect with Mads, no matter how painful and eye-opening it’s been.

“Can I ask you something, Dovey?”

My gaze narrows in suspicion as I look at her, but I take the bait nonetheless. “What?”

“I may have seen the video of you guys on the tour bus––”

“It was an RV.”

She rolls her eyes. “Same thing. But you’re missing my point. I know you think that because Gibbs and I were together physically that we shared something special. But it’s not true.”

Fighting the urge to plug my ears, I grumble, “No offense, Mads, but I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t get it––”

“Trust me. I get it perfectly––”

“He never sang for me, Dove. He never sang for anyone. And the way he looked at you in the video? The way you looked at him? It was… It was something special.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. “It doesn’t matter––”

“I think it does.”

“You don’t get an opinion,” I snap before regret pools in my stomach. With a deep breath, I mutter, “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that––”

“Yes, you did.” Her breathing is shallow as she turns and looks me in the eye. “And I don’t blame you. I’m a shitty sister, Dove.” She shrugs one shoulder. “I’ve always been a shitty sister. And even when I was a selfish bitch, you still managed to turn the other cheek and help me out.”

“Mads––”

“Let me finish. I need you to trust me on this,” she pleads. “What you and Gibson have? It was more than Gibson and I ever shared. It was different between me and him. Physical. Hell, it had so much red tape, I’m surprised we were even able to get the deed done.”

I know she’s kidding, but it doesn’t stop the stabbing sensation from flaring up in my chest.

She cringes and reaches forward, setting her hand on mine. “It was a bad joke. I’m sorry. I’m trying to explain that Gibson and I weren’t anything. He was basically a good dildo. The only reason I agreed to the whole thing was because of Milo. Because I wanted him even if it meant pushing my own limits. Especially now that I know it stabbed you in the back,” she adds with a grimace. “Gibson’s a good guy, Dovey. And he doesn’t want me. He’s never wanted me. He only wants you. I think you should give him another chance.”

With a pathetic laugh, I shake my head. “You don’t get it––”

“Yes, I do––”

“What happens a couple months down the road when Peanut’s born, Mads? We sneak in a paternity test before our date night?” I scoff and choke back tears. “You have to see how insane that is.”

“I don’t want to take a paternity test,” she argues.

“Madelyn.” I say her name like it’s a curse and fight the urge to shake her. “They have a right to know who the father is. You have to see that.”

“Yeah, but if Gibbs is the father, it ruins your life. If Marty’s the father, it ruins mine. And if Milo’s the father, it ruins his. Not exactly what I’d call a win-win situation.”

“Yeah, but sticking your head in the sand isn’t exactly going to get you anywhere, either.”

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