Page 110 of Beat of Love
“She cheated on me.”
That hit her like a slap of cold water. She blinked, stunned.
“With her tennis coach,” he added.
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” He exhaled, long and ragged. “Look, Brandy, I … I owe you an apology.”
The first light of dawn crept across the sky, chasing away the dark. It was her favorite time of day. Pity it was spoiled by her ex-husband and his problems.
“You didn’t deserve the way I treated you,” he said. “And I am sorry. Very sorry.”
She heard it. The sincerity. No excuses, no accusations. No passing blame. Just raw regret.
Still, she didn’t rush to comfort him. That wasn’t her job anymore. “Thank you,” she said at last, congratulating herself on her calm, yet firm tone. “And what’s happening with Nolan?” With Richard moving closer meant he was farther from his baby boy.
“Nolan’s with me.”
Shock slammed through her.
“She always said he was ‘too much.’” His voice was bitter now. “Said he took too much energy. Too much attention.”
“Yeah, well,” Brandy murmured, “parenting isn’t exactly easy.”
There was a silence that felt like acknowledgment. “You can say it, Brandy,” he said. “I deserve it. All of it. This is my comeuppance.”
She stared at the floor. “I don’t believe in kicking a dog when it’s down, Rich. I never did.”
His breath hitched. “I’d like to see the kids more. Let Nolan grow up knowing his brother and sisters.”
She softened, just a little. “They bonded with him over the holidays.”
“They did?” His voice cracked a little. “I didn’t realize.”
“I guess you were … preoccupied.”
“Yeah,” he said. “That’s one word for it.”
Another quiet hung between them. Not angry. Not tense. Just … sad.
“How are things with you and … him?” Richard asked finally.
Brandy took a breath. “He’s working on some stuff.”
A pause. “So… you’re still hung up on him?”
She didn’t bother dancing around it. “Yes, Richard. I am still hung up on Rafferty Lawson. And it’s got nothing to do with him being a Lawson. He’s a complex, but amazing man. The kind who shows up. The kind who owns his damage and does the work.”
A beat passed.
“So … you wouldn’t be interested in maybe … working things out? Between us, I mean. We once had a spark—”
“Perish the idea, Richard.”
He let out a long sigh, seemingly not surprised. “Figured as much. But it was worth a shot.”
“No, it wasn’t,” she said gently. “But I get why you asked. You’re scared. Alone. Feel betrayed. Need a shoulder to cry on. But that shoulder is not mine.”
