Page 69 of Love Rewritten

“Yeah, I already called her this morning. She’s understandably frustrated, but we talked through it.”

“Good.” I pull back, only slightly, my hands still resting on his waist, and look up at him.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“I guess it’s more of a statement, but I know about Aubrey.”

He nods, eyes falling to the floor again. “Yeah. Logan told me he mentioned it last night. I, uh, it’s over. In case that wasn’t obvious. I ended it not long after I met you actually.”

“I figured it was done, but I’m more upset that you kept it from me. I mean, you work with her, and she’s yourboss,for crying out loud.”

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I know. Not my finest choice.”

“So, why the secret?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

I cock my head and shoot him a defensive eye. “I suppose, but don’t you think your girlfriend deserves to know you’ve slept with someone you work so closely with?”

He meets my gaze. He looks crushed, disappointed maybe. Not with me, but with himself. “I’m sorry. I know I should have told you, but I knew it wouldn’t go over well. It’s not exactly a phase of life I’m proud of because of our professional relationship. And I hate … that.” He points at my face with a single finger.

“What?” My brows knit together tightly as I take a step back.

“That look you’re giving me, like I’m … faulty.”

I school my face into a more neutral state but hold his eyes. “That look doesn’t mean you’re faulty, Dal. It means I care about you so much that I want to know the truth, and I’m hurt that you kept it from me. That’s all. You’re not faulty, or broken, or any other word rifling through your brain right now. If this is going to work, I need honesty. Okay?”

He bites the inside of his cheek before replying. “Okay.”

"I'm going to ask you something that I though about while laying in bed last night. You don't have to answer. It might press on a memory you're not ready to relive. But I think it's important." He takes a deep breath and stands up straighter. His answer won't change the way I feel about him, but the overarching question is similar to something Meredith asked me not long after I met Dallas. And the memory got me thinking.

"When did you start sleeping with her?"

Chapter 26

Dallas

Thequestioncatchesmeoff guard. I wasn't sure where she was headed with this, but it certainly wasn't there. I debate not answering her question, dismissing it, letting it fade into the void. But her words replay in my head.I need honesty.And I want to be honest with her. So I take a steadying breath and say, "The week Cole died."

Abby nods like it confirmed something for her. Her lips press into a firm line. "Who initiated it?"

I furrow my brows as I think back. I was so drunk most of that first week that I'm not sure I remember. "Honestly, I don't know. Alcohol was basically my diet those first two weeks. It just happened. And then it was such a regular thing that neither of us stopped once I got sober."

Abby cocks her head at me but doesn't say anything. There's a disheartened look in her eyes as she looks between mine. It makes my stomach flip.

"What?" I ask.

"I don't like the idea that she took advantage of you while you were going through so much trauma. Especially with you having been drunk."

I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. There aren't even words Iwantto say, let alone knowwhatto say. The statement hits me like a truck. My stomach goes queasy at the thought. Before Abby was in the hospital, I don't remember the last time I felt myself getting choked up, but a thick knot forms in my throat that makes it hard to swallow. And when I do, a shiver runs through me that makes me physically shudder. Abby grips the sides of my shirt and takes a step closer until we're only an inch apart.

"Look at me." It's a soft demand, but I do as I'm told. "You're still you. It's not your fault. No one blames you for any of it, okay? You're not faulty. You're still the same man I fell for a few months ago. But I want you to realize, you are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for."

I take a breath and it's shakier than I expected.

"I've seen the way she looks at me. And I've seen the result of what I'm assuming are your back room conversations with her. She doesn't like me. I get it now. But Dallas, she's playing the victim because you're pulling away."

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