Hell, he knew a few of the things said were about her and could see how she might have taken them wrong.
“The woman stopped by to say hi. It was an old friend from school. Someone I used to be involved with before I left to enter the Navy.”
“She said she could tell the two of you had known each other for a long time, and she had her hands on you, and you didn’t push her away,” Brylee accused.
“Honey, I didn’t notice. My one thought was to get home to Tessa. I just wanted to get rid of the woman. I have no idea how she found me, and I was never going to look her up when I got home. She’s a high-maintenance, selfish person, and I never had deep feelings for her. She knew this.”
“Tessa got the impression that you considered her an obligation again. I have to say, sir. She wasn’t over the first time you said that. She wants you to have the life you want.”
Nate ran a hand down his face. “My life is with her.”
Brylee shook her head. “Not anymore. You have broken her, and she won’t let you in again.”
Gage sighed. “Don’t say that, princess. You know there’s always a chance.”
Brylee shrugged.
“Please let me fix this, Brylee. I need her, and she needs me.”
“I don’t know if she’ll give you another chance.”
God, the thought that he lost her for good was killing him.
Chapter Nineteen
Nate pinched the bride of his nose when tears started filling his eyes. “I’d like a chance, Brylee.”
“Give him a chance,” Gage said.
“I’ve got a number we can reach her at. Let’s see if she even wants to talk to you.”
“I’ll take anything right now.”
They walked into another room where it was quiet, and Brylee dialed her phone.
He felt the emotion well in him again when he heard her voice.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Tessa. It’s Brylee. How are you doing?”
He heard Tessa sigh.
“As well as I can be. I have to come to the realization that my life will never be what I dreamed it would be, but it’s okay. I’ll figure it out.”
Nate saw tears run done Brylee’s face.
“Hey, Nate has been going crazy trying to find you.”
“Why?” Tessa asked.
“He says he wants you.”
“No, he doesn’t. I think if I get a job and make a life for myself, he’ll feel like he’s not obligated to take care of me. My brother would hate that Nate’s putting off his life and that I’m hurting. He would never have expected one of his friends to take care of me, and neither do I.”
He couldn’t take it another moment. “Please let me talk to her.”
Brylee cleared her throat. “He’s here and wants to talk to you.”