Page 18 of Unveiled

“I can do that. Do you think you might be able to learn to trust them, my friends at Cole, I mean? I know they could really benefit your situation, and they are all aboveboard, but I understand your reluctance.”

Tatum was torn. She wanted to make that pain or doubt or whatever it was saddening his voice go away, but she just didn’t know how deep the Blankenship influence ran. “I can’t, not yet. But I want to, I really do. I hope that counts for something.”

“It does, Babes. It does.” They sat like that for a long time, their fingers intertwined on the side of the tub with her pruning in the bath. The soft splashes of the water when she moved was the only sound for what seemed like forever. But it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, it was intimate.

“I was relieved when Cheri cheated.” Rush broke the quiet with a barely audible confession that was deafening. Tatum was seriously puzzled. How could that be? Relived to be cheated on?

“Why?” She knew there were probably a million other, more appropriate sentiments to share before shock, but that’s what won out.

“Because I would’ve never left her, she would’ve been miserable for the rest of her life, and it would’ve been all my fault.” The more he spoke, the more confused she became.

“Did you love her?”

His hollow laugh echoed off the walls. “Depends on your definition.” He clearly wanted to talk, but it was like extracting teeth. Rush didn’t know how to share or what to say. She asked the next thing that came to mind.

“Would you’ve stayed faithful?” As soon as she asked, she angled her body so her head was resting on her arm on the side of the tub and their joined hands now dangled on the bathmat. She needed to see him, if even from the corner of her eyes.

“Yes. I’ve always been faithful. That’s never a problem for me. I honor my commitments.”

“Wow, what every woman dreams of, being another honored commitment.” The snark came unbidden. She hated a cheater, but somehow the way Rush spoke felt worse. He turned his head, and she swore she saw an extra sparkle in his jade green eyes that comes from unshed tears.

“That’s just it. No woman wants that. Hell, no man does either and no one deserves it. But it was how I viewed every failed relationship I’ve ever had.” The bottom dropped out of her stomach. There she was, fantasizing about trusting him and a relationship, yet she was just another commitment.

It shouldn’t have hurt like it did, having known each other no time at all. Hell, he didn’t even know her real name, but she’d started falling for him. She couldn’t take her error in judgement out on him. Rush had been nothing but amazing, and he shouldn’t be punished for honesty. Besides, he clearly needed to talk, and she owed him to listen.

Tatum slipped her hand from his and stood, grabbing the towel off the rack above his head and wrapping it around herself. Lounging in the tub suddenly felt to exposing. Instead, she sat on the side, holding the towel in place, and crossed her legs. Tatum wanted to not make it about her, this was about him, but she couldn’t help the words that fell from her lips.

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