Page 129 of Breakout
“Because it didn’t matter. I didn’t mean to tell you then, it just kind of slipped out,” I confess.
“Tell us what the hell is going on,” Cora demands.
I inch toward the living room to see the camera still on Beckett as he talks with his friends.
Everything spills out after months of bottling it all up. I tell them about the inheritance and how I needed to be married to get it. How he convinced me to marry him, his dad’s threats, and the impending court case ruling.
With every word, their disbelief grows.
“That’s insane,” Cora says when I finish.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Grace questions.
“Because it was a mistake!” I yell, tossing my hands up. “I treated Beckett like a dirty little secret, then married him for some fucking money of all things, and now I might not even get it because my cousin is a goddamn psychopath. Then, as the cherry on top, I messed up our group dynamic.”
“Wait, why do you think you messed up the group dynamic?” Cora asks.
“Because we lied. We kept all this shit from you guys, and now you’ll never be able to trust us. I wish none of this ever happened. I wish I never married him,” I sob.
“Is that how you really feel?” Beckett rasps as he steps into the room.
Tears flow down my face as I nod. Shame settles over me as I watch his face fall. He opens his mouth, but no words come out.
Speechless, I’ve struck him speechless.
“Beck…” I step forward, and he shakes his head. I watch as he turns on his heel and walks out of the house, slamming the door behind him. God dammit, if only he would let me explain that I don’t regret marrying him, but I regret what marrying him has done. Now he’s gone, and he doesn’t even know if he’s going to be drafted.
I cover my mouth as I sob.
I did that.
I ruined everything.
I feel so lost without Peyton. I haven’t spoken with her since I left her at the house last night. I wanted to go back to her, but I made myself keep driving.
I love the woman to death, but I wasn’t sure my heart could handle any more. How many times can your heart get stomped on before it eventually turns black and dies?
I hope it can endure more than this because I have a feeling I’m nowhere near done getting stepped on.
Pulling up to the courthouse, I straighten my tie in the mirror. I don’t even know if she wants me here. She made it pretty clear last night that being with me isn’t what she wants.
Still, I showed up. I always show up.
I always will.
Getting out of my car, I head up the steps. I go through the metal detectors and find my way to the courtroom. When I see her pacing outside of it all alone, I frown. I had hoped that she would tell the girls everything and bring them with her.
Yet here she is. Always alone.
Making my way over to her, I step in her path. She startles, looking up at me.
“You came,” she whispers.
“Always,” I tell her, taking her hand in mine.
“Let’s head inside. They are ready for us,” Mr. Piper says.
Without another word, we head into the courtroom, taking the defense table.
