Page 33 of Reunion With Benefits

Abby blew out a long breath and spilled the last of the truth as she looked at Spence. “I didn’t know who to trust.”

The hit didn’t land any lighter because of her softer tone. She saw Spence wince. So did Jackson. But she wasn’t aiming at either of them. Her target, the man she ached to hurt, stood right in front of her.

In the last few seconds he seemed to have lost some of his height. His shoulders fell and he stared at his wife as if he wasn’t sure how to approach her.

“Beth, listen to me.” Eldrick’s hand brushed against Beth’s arm.

“Did you really say those things to Abby?” When he didn’t immediately answer her, Beth’s eyebrow arched. “Well?”

She sounded like a mom now. A really ticked off one. Abby remembered that you’re-in-trouble tone from her childhood.

Finally, Eldrick exhaled. “I don’t remember exactly what I said.”

Relief soared through Abby. Some of the tension eased from her body, leaving her feeling lighter. “Which means yes.”

Eldrick snapped at her. “This isn’t your business.”

“How can you say that?” Carter asked in a voice that still sounded stunned and confused. “This is about her.”

“And Spence is your son, Eldrick.” Beth shook her head before glancing over at Abby. “Were you and Spence actually dating back then?”

Before she could answer, Spence jumped in. “We were starting to. I was hopeful.”

Those words... Abby never expected to hear him admit that out loud, because that moment had passed. She’d spent so much time being angry and hurt because he didn’t believe her. Because he didn’t stick around long enough to listen to her. She’d never stopped to think about what he saw. That didn’t forgive any of his behavior, but it meant something to see how broken he looked and sounded now that he knew the truth.

He did care.

Beth turned back to her husband. “What is wrong with you?”

“I’ve been asking that for years,” Carter said half under his breath.

Eldrick shot Carter a withering look before answering. “Beth, this is a family matter.”

“I am your wife now.”

For once, Abby thought that was a good thing. This woman did not back down or buy into Eldrick’s ramblings. But she clearly deserved a better husband.

After a few seconds, Eldrick seemed to mentally calm down. His shoulders relaxed and the ruddy color on his cheeks vanished. “We should talk in private.”

Beth nodded. “Let’s go.”

“I haven’t seen Derrick and his fiancée yet.” One look at Beth’s face and Eldrick nodded. “Fine.”

Without another word, they walked across the library and opened the door. Eldrick didn’t look back or say anything as they stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind them.

Abby didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until it seeped out of her. She suddenly felt dizzy and her throat ached. She’d been feeling off for a few days but chalked that up to all the energy she was using trying to tamp down on her attraction to Spence. Now she figured the draining fatigue came from finally letting all of her frustration out.

Carter smiled at her in a way that looked almost like an apology. “Happy?”

“I’m not unhappy.” Tired and out of words, yes.

Spence stepped in front of her then. His face was pale and the sexy grin from the pantry was long gone. “Abby.”

He probably wanted to talk it out, but she couldn’t do it. She needed a break. A few minutes of quiet. “I want to go home.”

He nodded as his voice stammered. “Of course. I’ll take you.”

“No, I will.” Jackson backed Spence away. “You Jamesons probably need to talk this out.”

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