Page 24 of Push

“Gwen, I’m so sorry I didn’t answer my phone.”

I ignored the pitiful way his shoulder slumped against the wall and charged on. “Or was I supposed to act calm when I found out you’d blown us off to go to a party without even bothering to let me know you’d be home late? Or how about when I saw a picture of that girl’s lips on your face? Or read her post about how much you love going down on her—”

“She saidwhat?”His cheeks heated with anger. “That’s a lie! I never—”

“Arethosethe times I’m supposed to act calm? Tell me, Toby.”

“I screwed up, Gwen. I know I did, but…” The emotion choking his voice forced him to pause. “It was only a kiss.”

I clenched my fists but kept them pinned to my sides. “Just a kiss?” He didn’t seriously expect me to believe that? “Even though you had a slumber party at your girlfriend’s place? I hope she changed herMy Little Ponysheets before you desecrated them.”

“I was atIan’s!”

“Sure you were.”

“I was!”

Anger exploded through my veins, but I pulled the reins tight to keep my tone even. “Everyone saw the photo. The guys you hang out with at the gym gave a big thumbs-up to you for being kissed by another woman. You humiliated me. You mocked the last shred of dignity I have left.” An ache bloomed deep in my chest, and I could only stare at the floor as even more pained words tumbled out. “As if I hadn’t lost everything already…”

“We should have fought that,” he said. “Your career—”

I steamrolled over his attempt to change the subject. “If I don’t stand up for myself, no one else will. You left me to rot on the bridge because you prioritized that damn pick-me girl again and again!”

“I didn’t prioritize her! Nothing’s going on between me and Kay—”

“Kay.” I laughed. That nickname again. I loathed hearing it on his lips. “Do you have any other affectionate names for your assistant you want to share? Sweetheart?Baby?”

Frustrated, Toby’s gaze lifted to the ceiling, and he dragged in a deep breath. “I callKayleighby a nickname, just like Ian’s always been Coop. If it bothers you—”

I barked a laugh.

He quickly reconsidered his words. “Clearly, it bothers you. No more, okay? I won’t ever make the mistake of calling her a nickname again. Gwen, we can work this out—”

“Like hell we can. I warned you, Toby. You’resobusy at the clinic that you don’t respond to any of my messages or pictures, but you always make time for her. You ignored me but went out with her for coffee and lunch every day.”

Toby’s gaze dropped. He said nothing.

“At the Christmas party, she fawned all over you like a lovesick teenager. I warned you then that the lines were blurring and she liked you as much more than just her boss.”

“Honestly, I didn’t see it. I thought you were overreacting. Why the hell would anyone be looking at me? I’m married.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I was so blind to everything that was happening until…”

“Until…what?”

“Please,” Toby almost begged. “I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have.”

“You know me better than anyone. You know I hate not having the answers. I’d rather hear every ugly detail than waste my life tied up in knots, imagining a thousand scenarios about what happened. If you care about me at all—”

“I love you.”

I rolled my eyes. Like those hollow words still meant something. “Then tell me everything.” I wasn’t backing down. I needed to know.

“Everything?” He swallowed. “Honestly, I don’t remember everything that happened. I drank way too much, and a lot of the night is kind of hazy… Like I was there, but not there.”

“How convenient,” I said, shoving past him and heading for the door.

“Stop!” Broad shoulders blocked the doorway. “Okay.Okay.” He exhaled, shaking his head. “Here’s what I remember. I was one of the first to get to Kayleigh’s place after work. I helped her set up. She introduced me to some of her friends, and every last one of them giggled at me like I was…”

“Her boyfriend.”

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