Page 98 of The Wrong Promise

His blue eyes meet mine briefly before he averts his gaze downward. “You know it is,” he says in a low voice as though there was no other solution.

I take a mouthful of the whiskey before I speak. “What I know is you hurt my family, crushed my sister’s heart, and betrayed my brother’s trust,” I say in a low even tone. “Yet they would’ve forgiven you.” Brandon has hands on his whiskey glass, his elbows on the table. His head is bowed, yet his gaze meets mine with a heavy brow. “You were part of the family, and yet you ran like a dog with your tail between your legs. No explanation, and then cut everyone off. After all my family did for you, you shut us out.” My heart is thumping in my chest, but the little prick needs to hear me out.

“It was my fault,” he murmurs and lowers his gaze once more. I give him points for staying and not walking out on me. “Byron hated me because it was my fault, and I couldn’t handle your family being disappointed in me. Lottie…” he shakes his head, “… Byron…” he tilts his head back and stares at the ceiling. “It’s so fucked up.”

“What is?” I snap.

“Life.” He downs his drink and stands.

“Sit down, BJ. Give me one more minute of your time.”

He remains standing for a few more seconds before he lowers his rear to the chair.

“I met someone. Almost lost her. When you realize there is a person for you out there, don’t blow it with pride or by being a coward and running away when an obstacle is thrown across your path. And I know some obstacles are like boulders, and some are fucking megaliths. Either way, your life will never be as good without these people in your world. So you’ll move Heaven and Earth to fix whatever damage you have done. Clear the path. Time heals. When the hurt may not be forgotten, it will be forgiven.”

He shakes his head gently, three times, then he lets out a loud sigh. “I dunno.”

“You don’t know what?”

“I dunno if she’ll ever forgive me?” He stands. “Too much time has passed.”

“Sometimes, the longer the time between meetings, the better.”

“I saw her last month. Briefly, but her eyes told me everything I needed to know.”

“You’re still a coward.”

He stands beside me. “I’m heading back to Australia at Christmas to train in the Olympic team. Then, my contract with Chicago is done. I have no plans other than to return to Australia to play.”

“So you’re putting as much distance between you and Lottie as you can?” I already know this is not about mates but about love.

“It is what it is,” he murmurs. He pats my shoulder three times. “I hope the family has a happy Thanksgiving.” He takes a step toward the door.

“It’s not the same without you.”

He turns and stares at me. “Has she been seeing anyone?” he asks quietly.

I shake my head. “No one notable.”

He nods once and opens the door. It closes slowly behind him, and all I think is,BJ, you’re a fool.

Several hours later, I’m in the car heading to my home in Pacific Palisades.

“I’ll see you on Monday, Joseph,” I tell my driver. “Zara and I will not need you over the weekend.”

“Very well, sir.” He waits until I have unlocked the gate before he drives away. The house is quiet. No music playing. No romantic movie coming from the theater room. I take the stairs two at a time, open the bedroom door to find Zara curled up on the bed reading a book.

“You’re home.” She jumps into my arms, and I stumble back, juggling her and my case. She kisses me as though I have been gone for months.

“If this is the treatment I receive after a few days, imagine the reception after a month.”

“There will not be a month where we’ll be apart,” she says against my lips. “We’re a team, and where you go, I’ll go.”

I drop my case and twirl with her until we land on the bed together. “I have something for you,” I whisper against her lips.

She pulls back. Her eyes study mine. “You’re my everything, Jobe. I don’t need anything else.”

“And you’re my entire world. This is about wanting to give you gifts, not about needing anything.” I rub the tip of my nose with hers.

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