If Wesley was in town, it was only a matter of time before Michael spilled his guts. The guy was a terrible liar, and even if he didn’t necessarily share his family’s views on many things, he’d always been loyal to his brother. All of which meant that Bex’s peaceful life with Izzy was poised on the edge of a swan dive, about to come crashing down. She pulled to the side of the road, her head spinning. She needed to concentrate.
“I hadn’t talked to Wesley for a few months.” Michael paused. “Until last weekend.”
Closing her eyes, she lowered her forehead to the steering wheel and let his meaning sink in. Last weekend, he’d talked to Wesley, and knowing him, he wouldn’t have held out if Wesley scented a secret and started digging. Did that mean that Wesley’s appearance in the bay was because of Izzy?
Anger and hurt simmered in her belly. The more she thought about it, the more she’d be willing to bet he’d spoken to Wesley on Saturday, which was why he’d been uncharacteristically reserved at their brunch. But he’d still come, and hadn’t mentioned anything. He’d asked her on a date, and stayed completely silent. And fine, she could see how it would be a difficult thing to admit, but he should have manned up and told her. Hell, he’d kissed her. She’d been giddy and ready to jump his bones at the first opportunity, but he’d deceived her. Her fury boiled over, and humiliation burned in the back of her throat.
“You told him,” she said.
“I didn’t mean to, but you know how he is. He wanted to come here as part of his campaign, and when I tried to put him off, he suspected something was wrong. He wouldn’t let it go, and it just came out.” He spoke rapidly, his words stringing together. “I thought I’d have longer to bring you around to the idea. I thought we could—”
“You lied to me.” She cut him off. “You manipulated me.” She was shaking now, her entire body trembling with rage, her stomach weak and ready to empty at the slightest provocation. “That wasn’t your secret to tell.”
She was a fool to have trusted him. She should have listened to her instincts and kept him out of her life. Hadn’t she learned by now that the only people she could trust were herself and her parents?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but he does have a right to know.”
“I should never have trusted you,” she spat, thumping her foot into the floor of her car and wishing the action didn’t make her feel even more ineffectual.
“Wait a minute,” he exclaimed, sounding frustrated. “You can always rely on me, Bex. I’ve got your back. Even now, I promise—”
“I don’t want any of your promises.” Her shoulders slumped, and she hated the defeat she heard in her own voice. “Don’t bother coming to brunch tomorrow, and you can forget having another date.” She ended the call, then flopped back, staring at the roof.
What was she going to do with herself now? The evening that had seemed full of possibility stretched ahead, empty and lonely. Knowing Wesley was in town, she was tempted to return and collect Izzy so she could lock her inside and stand guard at the door, but she shouldn’t ruin what might be the last uncomplicated day of her daughter’s life. Besides, she’d have more luck keeping Izzy away from Wesley if she wasn’t at the apartment.
No, she had to ignore her impulse to stash her most precious treasure away, and instead prepare for what would come next. With a heavy heart and a knot of emotion festering inside her, Bex put the car into gear and drove home.
Chapter Seventeen
“Fuck.”Michael stared at the “call ended” symbol, then swore again.
“She didn’t take it well?” Wesley asked from his position across the dining table.
Michael gritted his teeth. Even though he knew the situation wasn’t entirely Wesley’s fault, because he should have spoken to Bex sooner, he wanted to punch his brother’s lights out. Having never been a violent type, he squeezed his hands into fists and resisted.
“You could say that. I think everything we had together just got flushed down the toilet.”
Wesley had the decency to look chagrined. “I’m sorry, I honestly didn’t mean for that to happen.”
Michael sighed. “I know.”
Although a voice in the back of his head asked if he was really sure. Wesley had dropped hints about wanting to be publicly seen as a family man, and while he’d seemed okay about their budding relationship, it could be possible he wanted a second chance with Bex. Generally, what Wesley wanted, Wesley got. That was the way the universe worked.
“Make yourself a coffee,” he said, getting to his feet. “Don’t go anywhere.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll be back in a while. I need to do damage control.”
“I’ll make myself at home.”
Michael hurried to his car and drove to Bex’s place, not wanting to waste precious time by cycling over. When he arrived, he let himself in via the gym entrance and bashed on the door to her private space.
“Bex, open up! We need to talk!”
The door swung in, and he stumbled forward. Bex backed up, and he made his way inside and shut the door behind him. Not one to run from a fight, her shoulders went back and her expression turned defiant. He grabbed her hands and sank to his knees before she had a chance to blast him with the scorn he undoubtedly deserved.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I promise, whatever happens with Wesley, I won’t let anyone take Izzy away from you.”
Her lips parted, and her eyes widened. He had her attention.
“I’m sorry for the way things have gone down. I screwed up, but I adore that little girl, and the best place for her is with you.”