Page 110 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“I still don’t like it. You needed someone,” Madyson says defiantly.

“A hundred percent agree. But I’d rather be here now than the alternative.”

“That’s incredibly insightful.” Part of me wonders if he’s putting a nice spin on it to relieve my guilt. Either way, I can’t imagine my life without him. Our life without him.

After kissing away our fears, Madyson says, “We should come clean about everything. Clear the air about our past.”

Emmet takes a breath and says in a rush, “I kissed Madyson my senior year of high school.” I’m too shocked to react. “I had just found out I could afford to go to college, and it was all because of your wife. And I got carried away.”

I’m touched he calls her my wife when it’s not the truth. If he thinks that will change our relationship, he’s wrong.

“It was a millisecond peck on the lips and she told me it was inappropriate.” His face hides behind her head. “I thought it was why you wouldn’t talk to me anymore.” His soft voice breaks my heart. “And the art teacher came back, so you were gone.”

She reaches out and strokes his cheek. “No. I’m sorry you felt abandoned when your world collapsed. I’m so lucky you gave me another chance.” Her voice cracks. “You helped me trust again.”

I reach over to palm his jaw. “There are so many things I regret but finding out the truth and knowing what you went through kills me,” I say as Emmet protests. “I was as guilty as Peter. Even if we wouldn’t be here now, there’s no excuse for what I let happen. You’re an extraordinary person for allowing us back in your life.”

“I hate what you did, but I understand why you did it. It’s hard to say what I would’ve done in your place.” Emmet leans into my touch.

“You would’ve told the truth and explained why she should stay away from a dangerous person.” He’s brave and has an enormous ability to forgive. I’m the unworthy one.

“I have a confession,” Madyson blurts out. “I lied to Alec about us.”

She explains she told Alec I would never lie to her, even though she knew I had.

She exhales, and her breath skates across my face. “I had to get that off my chest. No more secrets.” She palms my face. “It hurts that you lied, but I’ll never turn my back on you. Our relationship is worth fighting for.”

“I won’t force the issue.” Emmet nervously rubs my arm. “I absolutely don’t want you to do anything you aren’t ready for but—” He does the cute thing where he tilts his head to the side and his tongue peeks out.

“Say it,” I encourage him, soaking in his courage.

“On the phone with the vitamin company, you identified yourself by name as my boyfriend. And the security guard.” He licks his lips. “Unless he’s deaf, he heard us, then saw all three of us. One or both of them could sell the story. It could be a shit storm. A very public outing.”

“I’ve been thinking about it.” I rest my head on the pillow to see them better. “My fear gives Peter power. It gave my father power and I’m tired of being afraid of what people think of me.”

I’ve never been the first one to say the words out loud, but Emmet has to understand my love. So he can choose us or let us go. My plan is irrelevant if he doesn’t feel the same.

“Baby Girl taught me the meaning of love, and I’ve fallen in love with you too,” I confess.

His brown eyes go cartoon wide.

“You don’t need to say it back. I fucked up. I need to earn your trust.” My forefinger closes his mouth and my thumb rest on his lips.

Madyson rolls in our arms to face him. “I cared about you when your quiet support healed me. I’ve been falling in love with you every day since we reconnected.”

Emmet pulls her close and kisses her forehead. There’s nothing I won’t do for him.

I kiss them one at a time. “Madyson says the best defense is a good offense. And we have pictures of Peter with Madyson.”

“So what do you want to do?” Madyson’s voice trembles with excitement.

“The first thing I’m going to do is show the photos to my lawyer, if that’s okay with you?”

“Absolutely,” she agrees.

“What if we went public with our relationship?” My chest tightens, afraid to hope.

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