Page 108 of Push

He sank onto the stool. “Oh,” he whispered. “I’d never think to do that.”

“I know.”

“You think I’m an idiot… Don’t you?”

“Not at all. You take people at their word. You’re trusting and always see the positives.” I nudged my shoulder into his side. “I like that about you.”

“Youhateme.”

I shook my head. “I hate some of the things you’ve done. I don’t understand why you cheated on me, and it makes me angry and confused, and I lash out sometimes, but you, Toby…Ialwaysloved you.” And it hurt so much to admit that truth. “From the first minute I saw you.”

A smug smile spread across his face. “At the rugby game.”

“Way before that. On my first day of school, you were hanging around the front gate, throwing your ball around with the guys. Then, a few weeks later, you got your braces off.” I fanned myself, and Toby’s smile grew wider. “For the longest time, I just thought you were a nice guy. I didn’t… I never thought you would…” I shrugged away the insecurities eating at my insides, still confused about why Toby had chosenmeover the other girls who’d hung off his every word.

“I chose you way before the match, too.” The skin hidden under his beard flushed a deep pink. “I used to sneak around the library and hide behind the shelves to get a peek at you. You were so, so lovely, my Gwendolyn… And you only got better…” He leaned even closer and nuzzled his nose into the sleeve of my T-shirt. Strangely intimate. Somehow perfect.

“Okay, Romeo.” My tight smile barely masked how much his touch tingled over my skin. “Stop distracting me by being adorable. Let’s look at what we’re dealing with.”

Turning my head to avoid the smack of perfume wafting from the bag, I carefully plucked out Kayleigh’s notes one by one, pinching the corners and watching them drop and flutter into a neat pile on the counter. Wilted roses were stuck in between unopened envelopes.

Toby turned. “If it’s okay, I don’t want to see any photos.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I don’t want any more of her in my head.”

Copying his move, I nuzzled my nose into the back of his T-shirt. His head swiveled to show a soft but surprised smile before he focused his attention on making silly faces at Noah.

I took a deep breath.Let’s get this over with. After gently levering a knife to release the flap, I pried open the first envelope enough to peek inside.

A Polaroid.

I pinched the very edge of the photo between my fingers and slipped it out. My eyes narrowed. The sultry gaze of the barely covered naked body of Kayleigh Roberts stared back at me. The next envelope opened, and in the next photo, a little more skin showed. The same for the next. And the next. A lock of dark hair secured with tiny pink ribbons had been sealed in the final envelope.

I tucked everything carefully away, and, sighing, I pulled my phone out of the waistband of my jeans.

Toby turned slightly. His eyebrow was up. “Doll, what are you—”

“Taking photos. Just in case, you know?”

Snapping photo after photo, I scanned the notes. Credit where credit was due, the doe-eyed sex kitten had beautiful penmanship. Her cursive was glossy and curled like she’d practiced the lettering a thousand times, the press of a kiss signing off each note.

I love you.

I doubted she knew the meaning of the words.

I dream about spending our lives together.

I didn’t doubt that at all. Pushing that note out of the way, I got my phone ready to take the next photo. A bolt of fear shot up my spine.

If I can’t have you, she can’t either.

The airplane noises Toby rumbled as he flew a banana over Noah’s highchair stopped. “What?” He rushed to my side, peering down at me with worried eyes. “Gwen, what’s wrong?”

“Did you…” I shook my head. My mouth was stuffed with sandpaper. “Did you read these notes?”

“Nope.”

My finger shook as I pointed to the creased paper. “Th—this one.”

Toby squinted for a moment as he read the black cursive.He’s taking too long.Nervous energy twitched through my veins, and every instinct screamed at me to do something.

---