Page 45 of Burning for the Truth

I wipe my eyes. “But then…I lost him, and I couldn’t bear to be around Dean. When I finally saw him at his party that night, I realized how much I’d missed him. It still all felt so…off. Our time has never been right.”

“Maybe now it is,” Tate tells me softly.

I huff. “I thought so, and it seemed like things were going okay…all other things considered, but he kept Drew’s letter from me. Yes, I know I overreacted. But you’re my witness…I was on my way to tell him. I knew he’d be at the bar because Britt told me he was. Then…” I throw my hands up. “You saw what I saw. So, I guess the feelings I thought we had between us, were one-sided.”

A corner of Tate’s mouth hitches up as he looks out over the hills covered in darkness. “I don’t think they were one-sided at all. I think what you two have is the real deal.”

“What do you mean?” I ask him curiously.

“I think you two have a lot to talk about. A lot of miscommunication is at play between you. Remember what happened to me and my family? Prime example of how not talking can destroy everything even when you both love each other and should be together.” He meets my gaze with his ice-blue one. He’s referring to how last year, he found out his parents stayed separated for so many years when they truly loved each other. But they both pushed the other away to the point his mom left, carrying a secret with her…she was pregnant. A fact he and his dad only found out when they finally talked because Tate demanded his own answers. Now, they’re still working on their issues, but they’re closer than ever…including his sister, Emerson.

“What if I’ve lost my nerve? What if I need more time? He’s always told me to hold on, but I told him I was letting him go,” I say as panic grips my heart, remembering the look of pure devastation on his face as I hurled those words at him without thinking.

He stands and stares at me. “I’m not telling you to talk to him before you’re ready, but don’t wait too long, Bree. Maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem to you. Sometimes it gets dark, even when the sun is shining, but it’s only because we can’t see the sun behind the clouds. The sun is always there, we simply have to be patient enough to let the clouds move so we can see clearly again.”

“Does Sterling know anything?” I have to know what my brother knows. He won’t forgive Dean for hurting me.

“He only knows y’all had an argument and you wanted some space.” He walks over to me and drops a kiss on top of my head before walking in the house.

He’s right. I’ll never forgive myself if I let go without trying to fight for Dean…for what I know is mine.

Iopen my front door for Sterling and usher him in. “Hey, man. What’s up?” I ask.

He plants himself in front of me, feet spread wide with his arms crossed over his chest. “Talk to me. Something happened between you and Bree…” He pauses. “What?”

I smile without humor. “She let me go because I kept something from her. Something I had every intention of telling her when I thought she was ready, but she found out before I could.”

His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “What does that mean?”

“It means you were right to think I’d hurt her.” I drop onto the couch.

“What did you not tell her?” he asks.

I scrub my face with the palms of my hands. “Drew told me there was a letter I needed to give Briella and he had something to go with it. He made me promise to protect her. I thought I was by giving her time before I gave her the letter. We couldn’t talk about Drew at first. But the more time has passed, I should’ve given it to her regardless and she would’ve had it for when she was ready.”

“Shit, Dean.” He rubs his hand down his jaw and sits beside me.

“Yeah. I didn’t read the letter, so I have no clue what was in it, but I can guess. There was an engagement ring.” I tent my fingers over my mouth with my elbows propped on my knees.

“Oh, wow. That…that had to be a lot to take in for her. For you too even though you don’t know what the letter said.” He sits back on the couch.

“So, what are you doing here? Why didn’t you go after her?” he asks.

“She told me she was letting me go, Sterling. Maybe she’s right, maybe you were too. I’m not good enough for her. She deserves someone better than me,” I say honestly.

He looks at me with no discernable expression on his face. “Dean, I don’t think you mean that. There’s no one who would love my baby sister like you.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I know you. You’ve always been the one to save her growing up and I think you’re the only one who can now too.”

“I’m not so sure. I love her, Sterling. I want what’s best for her. I’m just not so sure it’s me as much as I wish it was,” I tell him even though it guts me.

“So, what are you doing, then, Dean?”

“I’m going to see this case through and then I think I may leave. Maybe it’s time to start over where I haven’t hurt anyone. If I stay, she’ll be reminded of losing Drew and the way she thinks I betrayed her. I can’t do that to her.” I stand and shove my hands in my pockets.

He stands with me. “You’re making a mistake, Dean. I’m not only saying that because it’s my sister. If you leave, you’ll regret it. You need to talk to her.”

I shake my head. “She doesn’t want to talk to me. I’m actually leaving this evening to talk to another fire department. I put out feelers last night and already had bites this morning.”

Sterling faces me. “Don’t do this. I’m begging you. We need you here.”

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