Page 42 of The Pilot & the Athlete

Darian smiled, but it slid away as soon as he glanced back at them. He focused on Shay. “What are you thinking?”

“I need to talk to you,” Paul said.

“I have nothing to say to you.” Darian glowered at him. “Except get your hands off my sister.”

Shay clung tighter to Paul, and he showed no intention of letting her go.

“You need to listen to him, Darian,” she said. “This has gone on too long. You don’t need to suffer anymore.” Yet she worried Paul’s confessions would just make him more angry and bitter. At least Paul’s conscience could be clear.

Darian studied her for long enough she thought he’d demand they leave, but then he rolled his eyes. “Fine. Come inside and spit it out. Then you can leave.” He whirled toward the house and marched up the sidewalk, muttering, “Don’t need the neighbors listening in.”

Paul and Shay followed. She glanced up at him. His jaw was tight and his grip on her firm. She didn’t know what encouraging words to say.

Darian banged into his house. Paul held the door for Shay, and they left the beautiful late-summer evening behind and entered the chilly air conditioning. Darian’s house was clean and bright with white walls, large windows, and no decorations. The furniture was all a dark gray leather. As soon as Shay shut the door behind them, Darian whirled to face them, folding his arms across his chest and scowling.

Shay suddenly got angry. She’d heard him rant about Paul. She’d tried to listen and help him forgive, but this was ridiculous.

“It’s good to see you too, brother,” she snapped at him. “Yes, I survived protective custody. Even though my FBI agent sold me out because his wife and baby daughter were kidnapped, their lives threatened if my agent didn’t murder me. Paulrescued me, saved me from four brutes who were groping me and planning to rape and murder me. Then he watched over me and kept me safe. Then he threw himself at the FBI agent who shot a bullet that would’ve killed me if not for Paul’s quick action and heroic skills. Thanks for asking how I’m doing.”

Darian softened, swiping a hand over his face. “I’m grateful you’re safe. Is that what brought you two together?”

“Yes,” Shay said.

“Thank you for saving her,” Darian managed to get out.

Paul nodded. “I would do anything for Shay. But I need to apologize to you because it’s the right thing to do. I’m sorry for the everything with Carrie.”

“You should be,” Darian shot back at him.

“I am. I made mistakes, and I’ve regretted everything that happened with her and that you lost her. I wish I could make things right.”

“Oh, now you want to make things right? After eleven years?” His eyes narrowed. “If you rescued Shay because it was ‘the right thing to do’ then do the right thing now and stay away from my sister. That’ll be a good step.”

Paul stood straight and tall. “I’ve prayed for you and for forgiveness, and I’ll keep praying, but I won’t leave Shay.”

“Of course you won’t,” he sneered. “Some kind of hometown hero.”

“Paul is a hero,” Shay said. “He’s my hero.”

Darian’s jaw clamped tight. “When the hero complex wears off, I hope you don’t choose to be with a backstabber who cheated with your brother’s fiancée.” Darian was back to confrontational in the blink of an eye.

“He didn’t cheat. Not like you’re thinking. And there’s no hero complex. Yes, Paul is my hero, but he’s also the most kind,brave, and loyal man I know. He is the man I’ve been looking for all my life.”

“So you’re here to tell me you’re choosing him over me?” Darian folded his arms again.

“You’re going to make me choose?”

“Yes! No sister of mine would be with him.”

Paul stood like a rock by her side, not getting upset or trying to defend himself.

“No cap, you need to forgive and move past this.” Shay was getting fed up. “Are you going to wallow your life away over some woman who didn’t even want you?”

“She was confused,” Darian roared. “Because of him.” His shoulders heaved and he turned away. “I can’t talk about this. Please just leave.”

Shay was broken for him. Why couldn’t he let this all go? Eleven years of heartbreak over a woman who was fickle and chasing his friend.

“I need to tell you everything that happened first,” Paul said.

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