Page 79 of Mended Fences
“I fucked up.” The words tasted like ash as I started to pace the kitchen again.
“You? No.” He feigned shock, but the worry lines around his eyes deepened.
“Ha, ha. Very funny.” I couldn’t even fake a smile.
His tone turned serious. “You’ll fix it.”
“I don’t know if I can, Dad.” My voice cracked again. I scrubbed a hand over my face, feeling the stubble I hadn’t bothered to shave. “You didn’t see her face...”
“You can. You will.” Dad stood, crossing to where I’d frozen mid-pace. He gripped my shoulder, anchoring me like he used to when I was a kid having nightmares. “But first, you need to forgive yourself.”
A muscle ticked in my jaw. “What about herhusband?” I practically spat the word. Sure, she went by Dr. Ventura now, but that didn’t mean shit.
“Ex-husband,” Dad corrected, his hand still steady on my shoulder.
My head snapped up. “What?”
“It’s over. Final. Has been for a month now.” Dad’s eyes held mine, letting that sink in. “He made bail while he waits for trial. She used the time to finalize the divorce. But don’t think for a second he’s done—men like him never are.”
The rage that had been simmering under my skin since I’d first seen those bruises on Elena’s ribs bubbled up again. My fists clenched at my sides. That bastard was walking around free after what he’d done to her. I should have fucking killed him with my bare hands when I had the chance.
“Son.” Dad’s voice cut through the red haze of my anger. “That look on your face right now? I get it. But you need to let it go.”
“Let it go?” I barked out a harsh laugh. “After what he did?—”
“You have more important things to focus on right now.” Dad squeezed my shoulder. “Like getting yourself right. And maybe...” He paused. “Being there for Elena. If she’ll let you.”
The fight drained out of me, leaving me empty and aching. Dad was right. My rage at Peter wouldn’t help Elena. Wouldn’t erase what I’d done to hurt her too.
And she was all that mattered. Her, and the baby.
Morning came too quicklyafter a night of fitful sleep, and I dragged myself out of bed with one thought: find a job. Step three in Jackson’s plan for getting my life back on track.
My first stop was to the tiny home situated on the orchard about a half mile from the main house. Used to be you’d find my brother Elliot at the Sable Point Resort and Spa this time of year, working his way through the tourist population one ski bunny at a time. Now he was disgustingly happy with Tessa—his former business rival turned wife. Those two had spent years fighting like cats and dogs before they finally figured out all that tension was heading somewhere else entirely.
I’d called that one years ago. Some people just needed to fuck out their feelings.
I climbed the three steps to the front door and knocked. Muffled giggles sounded through the wood door, and I could have sworn I heard my sister-in-law say, “Keep it in your pants.”
Fat chance of that.
The door swung open, and Tessa stood inside wearing a thin robe. I kept my gaze strictly above her shoulders. There was no other woman I was looking at these days, but god knew my brother had it out for me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to gouge out my eyeballs if he so much as thought I looked at his wife in any sort of sexual way.
“Hey, Chase,” Tessa said, pulling me into a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Good to be seen.”
“I was just going to hop in the shower. Come on in. El will be down in a minute.”
I stepped into the tiny house, letting out a colorful curse when I rammed my shin into the coffee table on my way to the couch. I don’t know how Elliot lived here, let alone himandTessa. Grown men were too damn big for such small living quarters.
By the time I sat down, Elliot was on his way down the steep set of stairs that led up to their loft-style bedroom.
“Hey, brother.” He pulled me to my feet by my arm and wrapped me in a tight hug.
Fuck, now I really might cry.
I couldn’t remember the last time my brother had hugged me.
