Page 104 of My Promise To Keep

‘They’re grown men. Let them do what they gotta do.’

‘Bree, arrest them or somethin’,’ I hear Zoe say as the door shuts behind me, and I follow Doug down onto the grass.

‘We’re really doin’ this, man?’

I’ve been in fights. Not with someone as big as Doug, and I’m used to having him behind me, not in front of me, but we’re here now.

‘You’re fuckin’ his wife,’ he spits, but instead of anger, I hear hurt in his tone.

‘Doug, it’s not like that.’

‘You’re not sleeping with my sister then?’

I shrug. ‘Brother, come on.’

‘She’s hiswife, Leo.’

‘He’s dead, been dead a long time.’

‘And you were just waiting for your shot?’ My lips part. I want to say something, but nothing comes out. ‘You think I don’t know you always wanted her? You think any of us didn’t know? Fuck, I think Zoe is the only one clueless enough to think you just wanted to be her friend all this time.’

‘Iwasher friend all this time. I still am.’

He’s pushing me, and his words awaken a primal protective instinct deep inside me to protect Luke’s memory, protect my promise, protect myself, protect her.

‘I didn’t think you’d do it. I didn’t think you’d shit on his memory like this.’ I notice the tension in his jaw as his teeth grind in anger.

‘I’m not.’ I try to keep my voice calm, but I hear the need in my tone. I need him to know the truth.

‘She was the love of his life.’

‘She’s the love of mine,’ I call out, desperate for him to understand.

‘No, she’s not yours, Leo. I can’t believe you would betray him this way.’

‘I’m not betraying him.’ I shake my head, my voice quieter now.

‘You are,’ he shouts, and I’m vaguely aware of Zoe and Bree on the porch, ready to pounce but standing back.

‘You would rather her be with some random asshole than me?’

‘Yes, I fuckin’ would because this way, when it goes to shit, I lose you.’

‘What?’

‘This won’t last. She hangs onto you as a connection to him, don’t you get that?’ He points in her direction, and anger boils in me as Zoe storms to my side, and I stare down at her, but she glares at her brother.

‘You’re way out of line.’

‘Am I, Zo? Any other guy, anyone, but you chose him.’

‘I’m in love with him.’

‘And your husband is turning in his grave.’

I hear her sharp inhale, and I step forward. ‘Doug, you need to back the fuck off,’ I practically growl, getting angrier by the second.

‘He loved you so fuckin’ much.’ His angry stare holds mine.

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