Page 139 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“What if you don’t know if you’re angry because what they did was wrong or angry because you were hurt by it?”
“Then it’s probably a little bit of both.” She sits back and gives me a moment to process everything we’ve said.
“I’m so mad, Row. I’m mad that he went behind my back. I’m mad that I allowed him to get close enough to hurt me. I’m mad that I know what he did is wrong, yet I’m terrified because even with all of that, I want to hope that his explanation will be enough to make the pain go away.”
“Then ask yourself, in your heart of hearts, do you believe that he would ever intentionally hurt you? If the answer is anything other than a resounding no, then he’s not the guy for you, Lottie.”
The word no is swimming through my mind before she’s even finished speaking. “He wouldn’t ever intentionally hurt me. He’s put himself through one difficult thing after another all because he wants to be better—for his sister and for me.”
Her face is soft, and her eyes glisten as she looks at me. “Then it sounds like you need to have some difficult conversations with him.”
Chugging the rest of my tea and whiskey, I stand and place my hands on my hips. “Thanks for that.”
“You sound like you’re leaving.” Rowan smirks, and my brows pinch together.
“I am. I need to ream Thane out, but also tell him how proud I am of him for sticking up for himself with his dad. I have to know what he was thinking hacking into my company and find out if he ever planned to tell me. But most of all, I need him to understand that he can never, ever go behind my back like this again. And Kara… Oh, crap. Sebastian?”
He rounds the corner a second later.
“Ah, I’m going to need a really good family law attorney to fight Thane’s dad. You liked yours, right?”
“I did. I wasn’t about to risk losing my kids to someone who didn’t really want them. I’ll forward you their info.” His gaze jumps between the two of us. “In the morning. You had a rideshare drop you off, remember? How do you plan to get home? Go get some sleep, and we’ll get you sorted out when the sun comes up.”
“Good plan, Seb. Come on, Lottie. I’ll show you to the guest room.”
“It’s not boobytrapped, is it?”
Rowan chuckles. “Nah, Seren gave up on that. She’s retired her prank queen hat.”
“Good to know.”
We get to the top of the stairs, and Rowan pats my arm. “For what it’s worth, Thane may act like an asshole sometimes, but he’s different with you. That guy has hearts in his eyes every time he looks at you.”
I didn’t think I’d need outside validation so much, but her words settle in my chest and put a muzzle on my unease.
Even if I forgive Thane, I know things are about to get a hell of a lot worse before they can get better.
But they’ll be easier to get through if we’re together.
I’m too tired to wash my face, so I fall into Rowan’s guest bed and fish my phone out of my hoodie pocket. My fingers hover over Thane’s name just as a text comes through, and I grip the device tighter.
Thane: I’m sorry. For everything. I know I need to say this in person, and I will. But I’m sorry, and I love you.
The crack in my heart that hurts like a betrayal slaps a Band-Aid over the chasm as if it’s telling me to fuck off and deal with it. Sometimes love hurts. It’s how we move on from the pain that matters.
Me: I know you are. I just need time.
Thane: Three days, Lottie.
Me: Eye roll emoji
The dots start and stop for nearly two minutes before his next text comes through.
Thane: A red heart emoji
Thane: These things are fucking stupid.
Thane: I love you.
