Page 101 of Seven

Once I had my last few pieces boxed up, I wiped everything down, and I was about to hit the lights when I noticed a figure at the front door. It startled me, but then I saw that it was Marcus.

I never thought I’d look at him and feel anything other than love and loyalty. He had been my best friend since high school. He was the one person I could always count on and had never let me down.

Until now.

Now, I knew the truth, and the mere sight of him made my stomach twist into a knot. He must’ve seen the storm brewing in my eyes because his smile faded the second I started toward the door. His easy stance stiffened, and when I opened the door, his brows furrowed. “Tallie? What’s wrong?”

“You have some real nerve showing up here.”

His jaw clenched, but he didn’t interrupt.

I stopped just a foot away, close enough that I could see the flicker of guilt in his eyes when I asked, “How long did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That Holt was alive?”

He didn’t answer.

I took a step closer as I pushed, “How long, Marcus?”

Shame was written all over his face as he muttered, “A while.”

The words hit like a slap.

A while.

All those years I spent grieving. All those nights, I cried myself to sleep, thinking I’d lost the only man I’d ever loved. And heknew. He knew Holt was alive, and he let me drown in that grief anyway. “You were supposed to be my best friend.”

“Iamyour best friend! That’s never changed.”

“You lied to me!”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“Oh my God! Why does everyone keep saying that? It makes no sense! I didn’t need protecting. I needed Holt!” A bitter laugh escaped before I could stop it. “Do you have any idea what that did to me? Do you have any idea how much I needed to know the truth?”

He looked away, but I wasn’t done.

“I trusted you, Marcus. More than anyone. I told youeverything. And you never said a word. You let me believe he wasdead.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you. And when I did, it was too late.”

“You’re right. It is too late. You need to go, Marcus.”

“Tallie, please. Let me explain.”

“There’s nothing you can say.”

“Tallie…”

“No,” I cut him off. “We’re done, Marcus.”

His whole body went still.

I could see it in his face. He knew I meant it, and it wasn’t just anger talking. I wasdone.

“I’m sorry, Tallie.” When I didn’t respond, he lowered his head and said, “If you ever change your mind…”

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