Page 70 of Sticking Around

“Truth or dare,” I snap again. He cocks his head and I explain, “You still owe me a truth from our previous game, and you should probably stick with that because I don’t think you’ll like the dare.”

He exhales hard, and runs his hand through his hair. “Truth.”

“Did you make a bet with the guys? Was there beer involved?”

“It was a joke.”

I shake my head as my heart crumbles a little bit more. “Is everything a joke to you? I thought you were something different. I thought you were someone more. I thought we had a real connection. But maybe I should have stuck with my first impression of you. Maybe that’s the real Brady, and this new, kind, tender, sweet version you presented to me, was just the Brady who was trying to get into my pants and my heart.”

He starts to come my way but I back up and he stops. “Lanie…”

“Did you make the bet? Remember, you picked truth.”

He looks down, shame reddening his face, telling me all I need to know. “Yes, I made the bet, sort of…”

I don’t think sort of counts. “If you picked dare, I was going to tell you to leave, so I can pack my stuff in private. I think that still stands.”

“Lanie, wait please. Don’t do this.”

I gulp as hurt rakes down my throat, making speech painful. “It’s okay, Brady. I got your sperm, remember. So, I don’t need you anymore now, and if you had to rush home before you got to have that beer with the guys, maybe now is a good time to rectify that.”

He stares at me long and hard, until his expression shuts down. I finally find the strength to turn my back on him. A moment later, his footsteps sound on the floor and the front door opens and closes with a slam. My entire body shakes, tears flooding my face. I sob like a toddler and sink to the floor, my legs too weak to even hold me up. I cry for a long time, until a soft voice pulls my attention.

I glance up to see Brighton. “I heard Brady leave, and let myself in. Don’t be mad.” She sinks to the floor with me, taking my hands in hers. “Talk to me, Melanie.”

Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m talking non-stop, blurting out everything that happened since Brady first found me in her apartment and nearly poked me with the fireplace poker. I spill it all, leaving nothing out, and I cry the entire time.

Once I’m done, Brighton grabs a few tissues and wipes my face. “Do you know what I’m hearing?”

I sniff and take the tissue from her. “What?”

“That you two love each other very much.”

“I was a bet to him, Brighton. He was using me, and trust me, I’ve been used enough to know it when I see it.”

“Okay, I’ve given this some thought, and Noah and I have talked, so let me ask this: why would the man throw a wonderful party for you, get your car fixed, pay your tuition, and bring you into his home when you needed out of yours?”

I crush the tissue in my hand. “To make me fall in love with him. To win a bet.”

“Deep in your heart, Melanie, do you really believe that?”

I sniff and bend my knees, bringing them to my chest. “Yes,” I answer half-heartedly.

“I don’t know a lot about your past, but I do know there was trauma. Do you think you’re still clinging to that and expecting the worst from everyone, never taking anyone at their word?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“I’ve seen the way Brady was with you. I’ve seen the way he looked at you. He was tender, caring and loving. I don’t think those things can be faked. You brought out another side of him. A good side. A great side. He’s a wonderful man with a huge heart. Not many people get to see that side of him.”

“He said…he said, I used him for his sperm.”

“He was reacting. He might be a great man, but underneath it all, there’s so much vulnerability. I know you see it too. He obviously has a lot of work to do on himself. I think you know that.”

Her words ping around in my brain for a long time, and when I realize everything she’s saying is right, I let loose a garbled laugh, the knot in my chest loosens. “Who’s the psychologist here, anyway?”

She squeezes my hand, her expression pained. “Which brings me to my next point.” I arch a brow and she continues, “If a client came to you and said everything you just said to me, what would you tell them?”

Fear erupts inside me as my brain races. “I would tell them to unpack the past, deal with it and then leave it there, otherwise they can’t move on to a happy and healthy future. I’d tell them that things in the moment are often said out of fear and trauma.” I take a couple of deep gulping breaths as my words sink into my own brain. I glance around the room and feel Brady’s absence like a deep ache. “Oh, God, Brighton. I’ve made such a big mistake.”

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