Page 115 of Beach Vibes

He looked away, then back at her. “You knew your brother was cheating on my sister and you didn’t say anything.”

The blunt statement made her flinch. “It wasn’t that simple,” she said quietly. “Yes, I saw Rick with Galaxy. I was stunned and upset, and I confronted him as soon as I could. He agreed to break things off. At the time, I assumed he was cheating on Jana and that Galaxy was the new girlfriend. He was regretful, and I made the decision not to say anything.”

She had more to tell him—she wanted to explain that Rick was family and that she’d always stepped in to protect him. Only Teddy already knew, and looking back, she wondered if instead of protecting, she’d been enabling. But she didn’t mention how she wasn’t sure she knew her brother anymore—how maybe she hadn’t known him for a long time. That would sound like an excuse, or worse.

“I didn’t want to hurt you or Jana,” she said. “I did what I thought was best. I see now it was a huge mistake, and I’m sorry.”

He looked at her. “I won’t ghost you. I’ll tell you in person. It’s over.”

Tears immediately spilled down her cheeks. She wanted to say something, to try to change his mind, only there was no point. She knew him—knew what his family meant to him. She knew how much he loved his children, his sister, and how muchhe’d loved Valonia. He couldn’t forgive the betrayal. If she’d just hurt him, he might have gotten over it, but she’d hurt his sister.

“I don’t know what I would have done,” he said, still looking at her. “If it had been me. I probably would have kept Jana’s secret. I don’t know. Family makes it hard. I’m not sure there was a right thing to do.”

Then don’t go.But she only thought the words, then instead whispered, “I love you.”

He stiffened. “Don’t.”

“I want you to know it was real for me.” She sucked in a breath as she struggled to stop the tears. “All of it. I wasn’t part of the game. You and the kids… Jana… It mattered. I know it doesn’t mean anything, but I wanted you to know.”

He turned away. “You’re right, Beth. It doesn’t mean anything.”

23

Jana carefully squeezed limes into the shaker. She’d already measured out Cointreau and tequila. Teddy walked into the kitchen.

“Margaritas?” he asked. “Not your usual thing.”

“I’m celebrating, and you’re going to join me, because it would be sad to drink alone.”

“What are we celebrating?”

“I saw Rick today.”

Teddy raised his eyebrows. “You’re getting back together?”

“God, no!”

She looked into the shaker and decided she had enough juice, then poured in the other ingredients and added ice. Once she’d put the cap on, she shook it until the metal container frostedover, then uncapped it and poured the margaritas into the waiting glasses.

She handed Teddy one of the drinks and took the other for herself, then raised it slightly.

“To me. I told off the asshole.” She took a sip and sighed at the tart, delicious taste. “He came in all smarmy and smug, acting like nothing was wrong. He wanted me to forgive him.”

“Dick,” her brother muttered.

“Tell me about it. I told him he’d cheated and lied and that it was over.” She leaned against the counter. “He turned into someone else. He basically said I couldn’t do better and that it was all my fault. There’s something wrong with him. That nice, ‘aw shucks’ thing is an act. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”

She took another drink. “While I’m going to have to deal with that, he’s gone and I’m relieved. I’ll tell you, seeing who he is really helped me deal with the whole missing him thing. I’m done with him.”

“I’m glad.”

There was something in Teddy’s tone. “What? Don’t say you hired some guy to beat him up.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I’d ask Dex to take care of him.”

She smiled. “Dex has the skill set.” She put down her glass and faced her brother. “You’re thinking of Beth.”

“It’s the day for dealing with the Nield family,” he said with a lightness that didn’t reach his eyes. “I went to see her today and ended things.”

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