Page 61 of Two Wrongs

“It didn’t come up. I wasn’t exactly worried about the state of their relationship so much as the state of yours. I can’t even be in the room with the two of you without picking up on the sexual tension crackling between you. I thought the goal was to keep Liam from finding out about your affair?” Charlie asks.

My jaw clenches. “They’re separated. What she does is none of my son’s fucking business.”

Charlie levels me with a look. “Do you really think Liam is going to make that distinction when he finds out what’s going on between you?”

“We can control ourselves. I’m more worried about what it would do to her to be forced to talk to him before she’s ready,” I admit.

“I thought this was what you wanted. Didn’t his doctor say it would help him work through his issues?” Charlie presses.

I nod. “Yeah, but it isn’t just about him. I know addiction is a disease, but I don’t think that it absolves his other choices while he’s been using. Cheating on his wife is not the same thing as a cough. She should get a choice.”

“What are you going to do? He only went to rehab because she told him she’d try,” Charlie reminds me.

“I’m going to ask her. No matter what Liam decides, he’s not her problem anymore.”

“Are you saying that because you are worried about her, or because you’re a possessive caveman who doesn’t want to see her with another man?” he asks me.

I give him an exasperated look. “Why can’t it be both?”

* * *

“Didyou still want to learn how to cook?” I ask Wren on our way home from work.

“Yes, but can I have a raincheck? I’ve got to change and get over to the bar.”

“Didn’t Donovan tell you that you’ve got the next couple nights off?” I ask. After I saw him with Bess, my jealousy decreased considerably. Enough that I felt comfortable asking for a favor.

“Why would he just give me a couple nights off?” she asks, and I can tell by her tone she knows I interfered.

“Because the bar has been dead, and he said you work too much. If money is a problem, I’ll make sure you get what you need. I can pay you a bonus for creating the lobby.”

“You can’t do that. You’re having money problems too for the same reason I am. That reminds me, have you put Liam’s Mustang up for sale yet?”

“Charlie did this afternoon. He picked it up and looked it over so we could get the most money for it. I actually need to talk to you about Liam anyway.”

Her shoulders tense. “What did he do now?”

“I just want you to know that you can refuse,” I try to prepare her.

Her arms wrap around herself, and I wish her first instinct wasn’t to turn to herself for comfort. “Rip the band aid off, Griff.”

“His therapist called and left a message with Charlie. They want to set up family therapy with us,” I say all in a rush.

“Us, as in both of us at the same time?” she squeaks.

I shove my hand through my hair. This is hard for me to say, so I buy time by turning off the truck, and going around to help her down.“Yeah. Like I said, you can say no. You don’t owe him anything.”

She’s quiet for a little bit. “I said I’d go if he went to rehab.”

“Actually, you said you’d give him a chance if he went to rehab. That’s not going to happen,” I growl.

Wren drops her arms and steps close to me. She nuzzles close to my chest. “I should be bothered when you get all growly, but I find it kind of hot.”

I hold her tighter. “Lucky for you I seem to speak mostly in grunts and growls.”

She takes a deep breath, holds, then exhales slowly. “When is this therapy session?”

“Next week. I haven’t talked to the doctor yet.”

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