Page 65 of Truths

“Then why'd you show up?” Max asks.

“Because... because, I don't know.”

“Because you know deep down that you care about her, and you're scared. You're scared because letting someone in means you can get hurt. Just like Mom always did. But you know what? Having someone to care about who cares about you, too, is fucking amazing.”

Sighing, Nelson looks Max in the eyes. “You really care about Daphne? It's not just sex for you?”

“I do. It's more than sex. Always has been with her.”

The words make Daphne blush, but she focuses on Nelson. “You want to know how I know you love Sutton?”

“Sure, why not,” he says, shrugging and slapping his hands on the sides of his legs.

“After we broke up, I showed up at the bar to see if Marnie was working. I saw you sitting there with Sutton, drinking and talking and laughing. I don’t think you were officially together yet, and I don't think you'd slept together, but I saw the way you looked at her. That's what makes it different. You started as friends before you became lovers, and you have a solid foundation to build off of. I also know you never looked at me the way you look at Sutton.”

He gapes. “You saw us?”

“I did. I also knew you needed space, so I left. But I meant it when I said she's good for you. You were friends first, and I'm willing to bet she loves you, too. You hurt her, though, so she's pulling away. What you need to do is prove to her that she doesn't have to. That you can love her the way she needs to be loved. The way you need to be loved.”

“We didn't love each other, did we?”

Shaking her head, she gives him a sad chuckle. “No, we didn't. I don't think we really liked each other all that much. This ishonestly the deepest conversation we've ever had. Well, you've ever had. I talked to you a lot, but you never listened.”

“I listen to Sutton. I want to know what she thinks and how she feels. That was never how I was with you, and I'm sorry, Daphne.”

“Hey, it worked out for the best. In my opinion, anyway.”

He sighs. “We never fit. You two do, and I see it now. I think I might've always known deep down, but I didn't want to admit it. I'm an ass.”

“Holy shit, you've admitted it twice now,” Daphne says, clutching her heart dramatically.

Smirking, Nelson pushes her slightly. “Do you think we can be friends? Just friends?”

“I'd like to try. But I'm more concerned about your relationship with Max. Neither of us meant to hurt you, Nelson. I hope you know that. It just... it just happened, but I'm not sorry it did. Other than the fact it upset you.”

He turns to Max. “You did a shitty fucking thing.”

“I know,” Max says.

“But, apparently, everyone and their dog saw how you felt about Daphne except for me, so that's also on me. And as much as you hate me, you were ready to jump in and help me take care of the asshole who hurt my girl,” Nelson says. “I'm still a little upset about the betrayal of... it all, but I don't hate you.”

“I never hated you, little brother,” Max says, earning an annoyed grin from Nelson. “I just wasn't going to let you disrespect my girl. Now, you need to go to yours. She needs someone, and she needs to hear you tell her that you love her. And that you're an ass. That'll probably make it a little better, too.”

Nodding, Nelson lets out a determined sigh and walks out, shutting the door behind him.

Daphne locks it and turns to Max with a smile on her face. “Did we just start rebuilding the bridge with your brother?”

“I think we did,” he says and smiles back at her.

“Want to hear a secret?”

“Always,” he says, pulling her to him.

Her arms wrap around his neck and play with his hair. “I knew Nelson was in love with Sutton because he looks at her the same way I look at you. The way you look at me.”

“Did you just say...”

“I'm madly in love with you, Maxwell Parks.”

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