Page 42 of Crossroads of Love

He steps closer, lowering his voice so Jayla can’t hear. “You never let anyone help, Lena. You’re so focused on doing everything yourself, on making sure everyone else is okay, but who’s taking care of you?”

I inhale sharply and fight back the tears.

Who else is going to take care of me but me? It’s always been on me to take care of everyone and everything.

“If you leave me, I’ll kill myself,” Aaron said to me one night after a fight. “You’re the only thing I live for.”

It didn’t matter how miserable I was in my marriage. I couldn’t be responsible for that.

I grit my teeth, shoving the memory down again. I turn back to face him.

I need to get his focus off me.

“Not everyone can afford to be selfish like you.”

He flinches just a little, but I don’t have the energy to feel bad about it right now. Too much is going on. Too many people depend on me.

He’s got a lot of nerve.He hasn’t been in this town or seen me in eighteen years, and he wants to come in and tell me what I’m like.

He doesn’t even know me anymore.

I mean, maybe there’s some truth to it, but he doesn’t know that.

He doesn’t know me.

“Stubborn,” he mutters.

“Well, don’t worry about me,” I snap, walking toward the door. “I can take care of myself.”

He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something else, but then Jayla pipes up from behind him.“Mom, I’m gonna go help Uncle G unload the rest of the stuff from his truck, okay?”

“Rest of the stuff?”

“Yeah, Miss Betty sent over food for everyone working,” Jayla answers as she and Gavin disappear out the door.

“That man is so damn frustrating,” I groan as I drop my head on the desk.

“Um, are you insane?” Tatum giggles.

“What?”

She throws a hand up, gesturing toward the door. “I know he hurt you, like a lot, but…he’s right. And…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think you should give him a shot. Maybe he’s changed.”

I stare at her for a beat, then laugh. “Tatum, you’ve officially lost it. You can’t be agreeing with him.”

She leans against the counter, arms crossed, giving me a knowing look. “The guy brings you food, remembers your favorite dish, and practically begs you to let him help, and you’re acting like he’s annoying you.”

“He’s Aaron’s brother.”

“Who cares? You’re not dead. I’m not telling you to sleep with him, but it would be okay if you did. But damn, girl, let a hot guy help you out and maybe flirt with you a little while you’re at it.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It is simple. You, my friend, are overthinking it. Like massively overthinking it.”

“Tatum,” I say, but I can’t look her in the eye.

“Oh shit.” She laughs loudly before she slaps the desk. “You slept with him already, didn’t you?”

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