Page 26 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

A desperate look fills Nathan’s eyes, and I feel sorry for him for a brief second. I know what purpose Nathan served in my life—the place he was holding. But for him, ‘we’ were about the appearance of having it all: The perfect career. The perfect wife. The perfect family.

Without that, he’s lost.

He’s always cared more about the image people perceive than about me. For the first time, I realize how devastated he is, and a feeling of deep empathy fills me.

“Nathan,” I say as calmly as possible. “This could potentially work in your favor.”

His brows pull together, his lips thin, and his eyes whip back and forth between me and Duncan. I can see the muscle in his jaw tick. “How?” He growls.

“Play the broken man. The injured party,” I answer. “I did injure you, right?”

A real emotion shoots through his eyes, and for a single moment, his facade falls. For the first time since knowing him, I understand his struggle with me ending things. Heisa broken man. I was the shield keeping everyone from seeing it.

It doesn’t excuse how he’s been acting, but it explains the absolutely insane behavior.

“You can blame me,” my voice breaks, and I feel Duncan’s eyes roaming my face. His hand moves slowly up and down my arm, giving me strength. Then I softly say, “I can handle it.”

Nathan’s face pulls together, and he steps forward, but he abruptly stops when Duncan moves toward him.

His eyes snap to Duncan, and a snarl distorts his handsome face. “It’s going to be fun letting everyone know that the burly hockey player is a complete softy.”

“Do what you need to do, man.” Duncan’s shoulders tense, but from the evenness of his voice, you’d never know just how much he hates this part of his life becoming public. People knowing he wears a pink apron that says ‘Time To Make The Donuts’ is one of his biggest nightmares. “I’m pretty secure in my masculinity. Not to mention my skill on the ice.”

Looking between these two broad and powerful men, having a silent battle of wills is fascinating and terrifying.

Nathan breaks eye contact with Duncan and switches his gaze to mine. The turmoil there leaves me sympathetic for the man I was in a relationship with for almost seven years. When his eyes harden, and hate replaces the turmoil, a tinge of fear at what his next move will be makes my stomach turn over.

“This isn’t the end,” he grinds through clenched teeth, pointing at me and Duncan before getting into his car and peeling away.

Watching his car drive down the street, my stomach fills with dread.

When Nathan is out of sight, Duncan turns toward me, his hands resting on my arms and his eyes searching my face. I give him a wobbly grin.

“Have you ever seen that side of him before?” Duncan gently asks, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

Warmth spreads through me at the gentle touch. Slowly shaking my head, I try to process everything that just happened.

Nathan knows where I am. He had a complete meltdown. Duncan just told him we were dating.

Wait. Duncan just told Nathan we were dating.

“Duncan, why did you tell Nathan we were together?” My brows pull together, and confusion fills me. “I know you don’t want to pretend we’re a couple. You don’t have to do this.”

“Ava,” he says gently. His green eyes hold mine, and my stomach swoops. “I was on my way to tell you I’d do it, but then I found you with Nathan.”

“But why?” I question, none of this is processing through my mind. It’s happening too fast, and I’m still shocked by Nathan’s rage.

“Your face when Nathan called you.” I stare at him, my eyes wide and my head shaking back and forth, feeling like I trapped him. “I saw how afraid you were. At that moment, I knew I couldn’t let you go through this alone.”

“Duncan—” I whisper, overwhelmed by this man’s ability to forgive. He’s standing so close that his scent surrounds me, and his hands still rest gently on my arms. His nearness and touch are causing my heart to hopscotch.

I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure.

“I called out to you before you left, but I don’t think you heard me. That’s why I came out.” He takes his hands off my arms as if he just realized he was still touching me. My arms wrap themselves around my shoulders to replace his warmth. “It’s a good thing I did. Nathan was insane.”

Running my hand through my hair, I slowly exhale. His apron catches my eye, and a smirk crosses my lips. “Looks likeTea Time, and the entire world will know that it’s “Time To Make The Donuts.”

Heat crawls up Duncan’s face, and a sheepish grin crosses his lips as he shrugs. “At least it will be minor compared to the news that we’re ‘dating.’”

---