Page 57 of Reunion With Benefits

The relief that had just started swirling through her petered out. “What?”

“We’ve been together nonstop. We’ve talked about other topics, very personal things. You never bothered to tell me about what Jeff did back then or what he was threatening you with now.”

“So, this is my fault?”

The loudness of Spence’s voice now matched hers. “I’m asking a simple question.”

One that made her temper soar. He had a right to question. They did need to talk this through. She got all of that. But standing there, right then, in the middle of it all, she felt nothing but raw and hollowed out. Instead of leaping to her defense along with Derrick and Carter, Spence was still doubting her.

“He told me you wouldn’t believe me.”

“No, he’s wrong.” Spence shook his head. “I never said that.”

He didn’t have to. She heard the words so clearly in her head. “First your dad. Now Jeff. You never believe me.”

Spence reached out and held her arm by the elbow. “Hey, that’s not fair.”

“When will I learn?” She pulled out of his grip. “You know when? Right now. I’m going to finally learn the lesson now.”

* * *

The whole room vibrated from the force of her slamming Derrick’s office door as she stormed out. Spence watched her go without saying a word. Speech failed him. He didn’t understand what just happened. He’d been trying to reason it all out in his mind, every step. The idea that Jeff Berger was trying to push her around and she didn’t tell him...it made Spence sick. What kind of trust was that?

He took a step, thinking to go after her. Carter blocked his path.

He loomed there. “You have a couple of choices about what you do next.”

One. There was only one choice and Spence was about to do it. “I’m going to talk with her.”

“Wrong one,” Derrick said as he walked out from behind his desk to stand beside Carter.

They formed a wall in front of Spence. He would have to get around both of them to get out of there.

“What is this?” Spence looked back and forth between his two brothers. “You can’t believe she’s working with Jeff.”

Derrick scoffed. “Of course not.”

“She’s not the type,” Carter added as he shook his head.

Some of the indignation ran out of Spence then. He thought he was going to have to come to her defense, explain it to them. There was no way she would do what Jeff suggested. She’d had multiple chances to screw them all over and never took one. That’s not how she operated. When she was ticked off, she fought the battle head-on. Spence knew because he’d gone more than a few rounds with her.

One of the things he loved about her was her refusal to back down. She fought for what she believed in and refused to be shoved around or forgotten. He found that drive, that will, so sexy.

“Then what’s the problem with me going after her?” Spence asked because he really didn’t get it.

Carter made a hissing sound. “See, you questioned her.”

“No...”

Derrick nodded. “You did.”

That didn’t happen. “I never believed the note from Jeff.”

“I wanted an explanation, which is fine. I’m not sleeping with her. But once she gave it, I was all in on her side.” Carter winced. “But you questioned why she didn’t let you rescue her.”

“Women hate that sort of thing where you rush in and try to save the day without talking to them first.” Derrick shrugged. “Or so I’ve been told by Ellie about a thousand times.”

They had both lost it. Spence didn’t understand what they didn’t get about this situation. “We’re dating.”

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