Page 109 of Beach Vibes

“Yes, you would. You did. Deliberately.” His shoulders slumped. “I thought I knew you.”

“Teddy, don’t say that. You do know me. He’s my brother. Ihad to protect him.” But even as she said them, she knew the words were foolish. Protect Rick? From what?

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I was wrong, and if I could change what I did…” She brushed away the tears. “Only it wouldn’t matter, would it? Because Rick would still have cheated, and that was the end.”

“Jana’s my sister. I thought she was your friend, and she did, too. Shame on us.”

With that, he walked toward the restaurant, leaving her alone.

* * *

Jana stood in her room, trying to understand what had just happened. One second she’d been anticipating a fun dinner with Rick, Beth and Teddy, and the next her brother was saying they had to leave. It was only after they were in his car and had driven a few blocks that he pulled over and told her what he’d learned. She still couldn’t believe it. Rick had cheated on her and Beth had known? No. That wasn’t possible. She wouldn’t believe it of either of them.

She was still in shock, she thought as she unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor. She had to be. Otherwise she would be hysterical or crying or something. But she only felt numb—and possibly confused. Nothing about the situation made sense. How could it?

She changed into yoga pants and a T-shirt, then went out to check on her brother. Dex and the kids were still out to dinner, but they would be back soon.

She found Teddy in the kitchen, leaning against the island and staring at the wall.

“You okay?” she asked.

“No. You?”

“Nothing’s sunk in.” She pulled up a barstool and sat down. “Tell me again what she said.”

“You really want to hear it?”

“I think I have to.”

“Rick cheated. Beth knew and didn’t tell either of us. They both lied.”

As far as recaps went, it was short and brutal.

Rick had cheated. There was another woman in his life. There had been the whole time. When he’d stood there, asking her out, acting like he was scared and saying she glowed, he’d been involved with someone else.

“But he was so nice,” she whispered. “Funny but awkward and unsure.”

“Apparently not.”

The first stab of pain caught her unaware. It went fast and deep, cutting through the happy numbness. Her breath caught.

“I can’t believe it.” Not of him and not of Beth. “She was my friend. Oh, no.” She looked at Teddy. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing you want to know.”

“It wasn’t her fault.”

Even as she said the words, she wondered why she was defending the other woman. Beth had known what Rick was doing and hadn’t said anything.

“I trusted her,” she whispered.

“So did I.” His voice was stark. “She was your friend, my lover, and she betrayed us both.”

The pain grew, shattering whatever wall she’d put between it and her heart. There was no escape, no place to hide.

Teddy’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. “Dex is on his way back with the kids. Go wait in your room. Once they’re in the house, you go with Dex.”

“I don’t understand.”

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