Page 34 of Love Her

Which was why he’d wanted me to go easy on him.

I vacillated between being pissed and understanding—but if another man in my life hid one more thing from me, I couldn’t be held responsible for what I’d do.

And then, right at sundown, a text came onto my burner phone.

Get in front of the camera.

I set my bowl down and did as I was told, so he could see me text him back.

You do know facetime’s a thing, right?

Of course. But I prefer it when this is one-way.

What if I don’t?

I asked, sitting on my bed cross-legged, my phone in my lap, looking sorrowfully at its screen.

You okay?

he immediately asked back.

How long have you known my dad was gonna die?

I texted—and looked straight at the camera as I was hitting send.

The dots on the bottom of the screen bounced for a while.

He needed to be the one to tell you.

The thing that sucked the most was that Rhaim wasn’t wrong. I could totally understand why he’d wanted my father to broach the subject.

But it still felt like a betrayal.

Are you sad?

he texted over.

I tilted my head and gave the camera a look that said,Of course,without typing a thing.

I wish I could be there to comfort you.

I stared at my phone some.

I wish that too.

You gonna be able to go to sleep tonight?

Yeah. I’ve got some Ambien I stashed for an international flight I can break into.

Good. Get some rest. Text me tomorrow when you wake up.

I swallowed, looking at the screen.

I’m supposed to meet Marcus for lunch. Taking Trevia with me—to sign the pre-nup.

You think you can do that?

He asked, then quickly added,

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