Page 76 of Shattering

He had the most beautiful woman in the world. His best friend.

And he had hurt her.

Gray swallowed hard, his throat tightening.

Please, God.

Give me another chance. Let me fix this.

Cadi broke their silent staring contest first, and for the first time in his life, he couldn't read her expression.

She turned and walked into the sitting room.

Gray followed wordlessly.

Cadi took the armchair, facing him directly. Gray knelt by the wood burner, adding logs and kindling, setting the fire. She was always cold, even in summer.

The flames flickered to life, dancing in the dimming light. The warmth filled the room, but the cold between them remained.

Then, without preamble, Cadi asked, "Have you ever had sex with anyone but me?"

Gray's jaw clenched. "No."

Her voice stayed steady. "Have you ever kissed anyone but me?"

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Once. After a match. Rosie O'Maley. She surprised me." He looked at her directly. "It was sloppy and not very good. Before ya and I .Otherwise, no. And no to Vanessa, or any other woman."

He held her gaze, willing her to believe him.

A long moment passed before Cadi exhaled. She studied his face, searching for deception. Finally, she nodded. 'I believe you.'" Gray blinked. "Just like that?"

"When you lie, your eyes get all squinty and shifty, and you keep looking at things on your left," she said simply.

Gray let out a breathless chuckle. "You know me too well. It's scary."

The humour faded quickly.

Cadi's fingers twisted in her lap. "Gray... I was planning to leave you once we got the DNA results."

Gray went still.

"I wasn't sure how," she admitted. "I definitely can't afford the mortgage on my own. And Tomos... I don't know how he would cope. He loves you so much. But I thought... no father would be better than a father like that."

Gray inhaled sharply.

"But what we learned yesterday..." Cadi shook her head. "Callum should have told me. But in a way, it was better. Your mom didn't want you to know. And if I were in her position, I wouldn't want it to touch Tomos either, you know?"

Gray just listened, his eyes unreadable.

"The way you behaved, Gray... it's not okay."

Gray's throat worked, but he said nothing.

"What happened to you and your mom... I can't even imagine," she said quietly. "But we've known each other for thirty years. I thought we were best friends."

Gray's voice came out small. "I saw what that monster did to my mother. David. And Finn... was he any better? That's who I am."

Cadi stared at him. "No," she said, shaking her head. "That's not who you are."

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