Page 110 of Someone You Deserve

“I’m not going to lie to you. She and I have been torn up about it, but I’m not going to stop living my life because of what other people might think. I’ve been in love with her for a while.”

“So when did things change?”

“About a month ago.”

He thinks for a minute and sighs. “Well, I know what I think about it doesn’t really matter because you’re grown-ass adults, but if there’s anyone I would pick for her, it would be you.” He reaches out his hand to me, and just like that, everything is good again. That’s how men handle our issues—cut and dry. “But don’t fucking take her for granted, Penn,” he says, our hands still clasped. “She doesn’t need to deal with that again.”

“Again?” I ask, wondering what he’s referring to.

“Yeah. I mean how Brandon never appreciated her. Their marriage was long over, but I’m sure you already know that,” he says and my expression must reveal my shock because just as quickly, he continues, “Wait…youdidn’tknow that?”

My pulse starts hammering in my ears, my mind starts to race, and within seconds so many things start spiraling in my mind like a montage of memories.

“Uh, no. What do you mean?”

I think back to the conversations that Brandon and I had, how much he boasted about his life, about his marriage and kids, that he felt like he had it all.

Was it all a bunch of bullshit?

No. It can’t be. Astrid would have told me.

“Fuck.” Grady releases my hand and blows out a breath. “Dude, she doesn’t even know that I know, okay? My mom told me. She was theonly one that knew the truth. They were going to get a divorce when he returned from his last deployment, but then…”

“Shit,” I mutter turning away from him as I take in this information. She’s been keeping this secret all this time? No one knew they were having issues? I mean, hell—I was his best friend and he sure as shit didn’t say anything to me. Everything he said was always the complete opposite.

Jesus. Was he lying to me? Or was he really that clueless?

Is this why she’s been so hesitant to tell people? Because everyone thought they were so in love, the perfect little family and she’s the grieving widow who can’t possibly move on?

My head spins but Grady pulls me out of it. “Look, I thought you would have known. Don’t be mad at her.”

“I’m not mad at her. I just...” I tilt my head at him. “I just…I need to fucking talk to her.”

“Yeah, and I know that when you do, it’s going to be my neck on the chopping block, so why don’t you let me talk to her first?”

I nod. “Yeah, probably a good idea.” Especially because I don’t even know how to form words right now.

“And Brandon never said anything to you either?” he asks.

“Never, Grady. In fact, he told me the opposite.” I grab my Coke and drain the rest of the glass.

Grady scoffs. “Sounds about right. He always was about keeping up appearances.”

Jesus. Did I even know the man I considered my best friend?“I need to get back to work.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll text you when I’ve talked to her.” Grady heads for the exit and then Dallas and Parker peek their heads out from the swinging kitchen door.

“Well, I don’t see a black eye, Dallas. That’s a good sign,” Parker says as he steps through and Dallas shoves him forward.

“Why would there be, dumbass?” He glares at our younger brother and then turns to me. “Everything okay?”

“Yes and no. Uh, Grady doesn’t have a problem with us being together, but I just found out that Astrid’s been keeping a pretty big secret from me,” I say, grinding my teeth together harder now.

“Shit,” Dallas mumbles. “Is it that bad?”

“It’s pretty big.”

“Relationship ending?” Parker asks. “Because you know we’ll take your side over Astrid’s.”

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