Page 54 of Trust Me With Forever

But those days were long gone. And for the first time, I thought about Aunt Lori’s text message about us being friends again, and kind of wished it could happen.

I leaned forward and propped my elbows on my thighs, the water bottle dangling from my fingers. “I know this isn’t easy for either of us, West. But I promise you, I’m trying to make your sister happy. I’m trying to repair things with Emmy, and I’m trying to mend fences with everyone I abandoned when I left Starry Hills. Can’t we start over?”

He gulped the rest of his soda before staring at the empty can. As I tried to think of what else I could say—something that I hadn’t said a dozen times already since my return—West spokeup. “Abby is the youngest. She was only seven when our dad died, and sixteen when our mother passed. I left her not long after Dad died, Nolan a few years later. And within months of our mom’s death, Zane joined the Navy SEALs.”

He paused, and I could tell West had more to say. I didn’t want to break the spell, so I kept quiet.

Eventually, he cleared his throat and continued, “I was too consumed with my grief, and then later my disastrous first marriage, to think much about my little sister back then. But she had the hardest time out of us all, with the least amount of support to deal with her own grief.” He slightly crushed the can and continued, “Despite all that, she remained strong and happy, at least on the outside, and always had her group of friends at her back.” He met my gaze and added, “But whatever happened to her in San Jose was the final straw. It broke her. And I wish I could help her heal, even just a little. But in some ways, I’m still a stranger to her. And while my kids and her friends are good at cheering her up, she needs more than that—she needs someone to always be there for her, to love her and never let her down, to be a better man than me and two of my brothers ever were for her. So can you be that man, Rafe? Because if not, then you need to divorce my sister and let her find the person who will treasure and love her as she deserves.”

I tried to process everything West had told me. I knew, in a general sense, about three of her brothers leaving at some point, as well as her parents’ deaths. And yet, I hadn’t really put together how much loss that was. Especially for one person, and starting so damn young.

And then add her finally trusting her heart with that asshole Travis, and I could see how she might lose hope of anyone putting her first, let alone loving her and staying around.

Oh, Abigail.

West’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “I think you’re starting to understand just how much my sister has gone through. I played a small part in it, and I regret it so fucking much. But you still haven’t answered my question—are you going to treat her as she deserves? Or will you let her go so she can find someone who will always stand by her?”

The thought of letting some other man hold Abby close, love her, make her laugh one moment and moan the next, made me crush the water bottle in my hands. The top flew off and water splashed all over me. “Fuck.”

I quickly grabbed a towel from a cupboard along the wall and dried off. Tossing it aside, I turned toward West and stated, “I will be that man for her, West. I can’t make her trust me, but I’m going to try my damnedest to win her over and be there for her.”

Love her, too. Because it wouldn’t take much more for me to fall for her.

Her humor, her wit, her ability to survive so much loss and still work toward her childhood goal of being a teacher—there was so much to admire about her.

And that was before I even remembered her kisses or how soft and warm she felt in my arms.

West stood and put out a hand to shake. I took it, and as he shook, he said, “Then I think we need more than a truce—let’s start over. If you need my help with Abby, let me know.” His grip tightened on my hand and he pulled me close. “But my threat still stands—hurt her, and I’m going to kick your ass into next week, brother-in-law or not.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to hurt her, at least not on purpose.” West growled, and I added quickly, “Your threat is noted. Now, if you’d let me go, I have a few questions about Abby. I want to surprise her and could use your help.”

West released me and sat back on the couch. “I’ll try my best. Although you should visit your sister and ask her, too.”

I plopped into the chair. “Will you growl the entire time, like during my previous visits? It’s hard to have an honest conversation with a guard dog.”

West narrowed his eyes, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey, it’s true.” I sobered. “Although I’m glad Emmy has you, West. I’ve never seen her as happy as she is with you and your kids.”

His face softened. “I am definitely a lucky man.” West cleared his throat. “Now, what did you have in mind?”

As we discussed my plans, a little of our childhood camaraderie returned. Oh, we weren’t suddenly best friends or anything. But there was a chance, albeit a small one, that we could be friends in truth one day.

But for now, I focused on Abby. Because as much as I would like to get along with West for my sister’s sake, the clock was ticking. The longer Abby kept her distance from me, the harder it would be to break through.

Especially once her ex reared his ugly head—which my gut said would happen at some point—she might shut down completely if I hadn’t earned her trust a little by then.

However, when West finally left and I had a plan in place, I started to feel a little optimistic.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Abby

Aunt Lori:Make sure to leave the hotel room once in a while, for food and fresh air.

Me:I told you, it’s a business trip. Rafe and I need to buy furniture and supplies for the training center. That’s all.

Aunt Lori:I remember what it’s like to be a newlywed, Abby. If he’s not making you sore from all the sex, then you’ve got problems.

Me:Aunt Lori!

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