Page 33 of A Family Affair: The Vow
“Don’t be.” Vic’s deep voice cut through Nick’s apology. “She’s got all sorts of options; she’s just trying to figure out which is best for her.”
Rae inched her gaze to Vic, didn’t miss the fierceness in those blue eyes or the set of his jaw that said he was trying to protect her. “I didn’t want to tell everyone because it’s like a bad breakup. Even when you know the relationship isn’t going anywhere, you always want to be the first one to leave.” She forced a laugh, thought of Richard and how those words applied to her personal life as well as her business one.
Nick’s features relaxed a bit, the quick nod followed his agreement. “Boy, don’t I know it. Sometimes life just lands on top of you before you can dig your way out and see where you’re meant to be…what you’re meant to do—” his gaze slid from her to Vic “—who you’re meant to be with… If you haven’t heard my story, Vic can tell you that pathetic tale and how I finally dug my way out. Not easy, not fast, not with a lot of complications either, but I did it.” He raised his left hand, pointed to the black silicone band encircling his ring finger. “Marrying Delilah,again, was the best thing I ever did.”
“I’m sure she says the same thing about you.”
Nick cocked a brow, rubbed his jaw. “Might depend on the day...”
“Doubtful.” Vic’s tone shifted, turned serious. “About Rae and her job...she’s just getting used to talking about what happened and she needs some time before people start asking what she plans to do next. They always mean well, but...”
“Yeah, but too many questions when a person doesn’t know the answer himself is pure torture. The town isn’t going to hear anything from me. I’ve been on the receiving end of the questions enough times to know I’m not going to be the one to stir things up.”
That comment made Vic smile. “Thanks, buddy.”
A nod and then “Let me know if I can get you anything else.” Nick smiled at Rae. “Good luck. I know you’ll get through it.” And then he turned and headed toward the kitchen, his long stride matching Bob Seger’s “Still the Same.”
Rae massaged her temples, waited for Vic to say something. When he remained silent, she sucked in a breath, lifted her head, and met his gaze. The intensity in those blue eyes made her feel as though he could see inside her head. “I… I…”
“It’s okay.”
“I should have told you. I should have been honest and just admitted what happened, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. All of it was too much and I’d worked so hard, given up years for what I thought I wanted and then...then they just got rid of me. Treated me as though I were no longer relevant. Like I didn’t matter.” She blinked, blinked again. Once the tears started falling, she might not be able to stop them. And then what? Vic and the entire bar would see her fall apart? See that she wasn’t even capable of keeping her emotions in check, let alone the family’s business? They’d look at her and feel pity. She hated pity.Hated it. “Do not feel sorry for me.”
He held up both hands, his gaze still intent, assessing, no doubt seeing too much. “Got it. No sympathy.”
“You must think I’m pathetic becauseIcertainly do. I came to this town and buried myself here. That’s the truth, do you want to know that? Are you wondering? Because that’sexactlywhat happened. I was so certain I’d get a promotion that I’d already begun planning what I’d do with the extra money. Should I buy more company stock, a new car, take a vacation? Maybe all three? Kind of shallow, isn’t it?” She blew out a sigh of disgust, massaged her temples again. “Truth? It wasn’t about the money, though I wasn’t going to turn it down. It was about the prestige and seeing my name high on the organizational chart, being one of the top five executives in the entire company.Thatwas my goal, even though I knew it wouldn’t last, knew there would be another goal at some point, another challenge, another must-have.”
She let out a laugh, grabbed her wine glass and took a healthy swallow. “But guess what?Iwas the fool. They cut my line but they could have put me somewhere else. They didn’t want meormy ideas. They wanted someone who fell in line, didn’t ask questions, and knew how to deliver. No matter what, when, or how. Richard was that person. He knew I was going to lose my job, and he never said a word. Who does that? If you’re supposed to be in a relationship, don’t you try to protect your partner?”
Vic nodded, said in a quiet voice, “You should.”
“Right, but he didn’t. Do you know what he did?” She should have stopped talking long before she divulged the sad state of her relationship with Richard, but it was too late to stop now. “He acted surprised, but I could tell he wasn’t. There were too many signs that told me he was lying, no matter how many ways he said it or the smiles he added to it. Oh, he said all the right words, promised to help me find a new direction, but he didn’t.” Her voice cracked, spilled misery. “He didnothingto help me.”
“That slimy bastard.” Vic clenched his hand into a fist, frowned. “You’re too good for him.”
“I realize that now, but I didn’t then. It was all about fitting my agenda. Didn’t matter if the emotion wasn’t hot and deep and raw like it—” she caught herself before she said something foolish.Like it was with you. “And that’s another thing I’ve kept from you and everyone here. He dumped me. When I came here, I had lost my job and Richard had just dumped me. Imagine that? All I wanted to do was hide, even if it was in a town that was nothing like the place I envisioned living. I wish I could tell you I still would’ve come if I hadn’t lost my job, but... Would I have betrayed my sister when she needed me most?” Rae sipped more wine, clutched the glass between her hands. “I don’t know, and that’s what tears at me.”
“Hey, stop beating yourself up. The only question that matters now is would the Rachel Darlington sitting here still run away from her sister? I don’t think so, but I don’t think there’s a lot of the old Rae left, at least not what I can see.” His lips pulled into a gentle smile. “I think this Rae wants to help her sister and will do everything she can for her.”
She blinked, sniffed. Darn, but those tears were going to start any second. Rae couldn’t let him see her cry, and yet she couldn’t stop. A single tear slipped and she brushed it away. “No, you don’t know that.Idon’t even know that. Maybe I’m just a miserable, selfish person.”
“Rae. Look at me.” She inched her gaze to his as another tear fell. “You’re not selfish. You’re strong and talented and so very capable. Don’t give up on yourself.” His voice turned deep with emotion. “Don’t ever give up on yourself.”
Oh, but this man was so kind and gentle and good. She’d hurt him, said horrible things to him, and he hadn’t deserved any of it. “I’ve been so cruel to you and…” Another tear fell, then another, until she couldn’t speak.
Vic reached across the table, set down her wine glass and clasped her hand. “It’s okay. I know you were hurting.” He cleared his throat, dragged a hand through his hair. “I’ve known you and Richard were over for a while.”
“What? How?”
A dull red seeped from his neck to his cheeks. “Your nephew. He heard you talking.”
“Well.” Talk about feeling like a fool. “How long have you known?”
“Rae. It doesn’t matter.”
She swiped at her tears, sniffed. “It matters to me.”
A sigh and then “I found out about two weeks ago.” Long pause before he admitted a truth she hadn’t expected. “I tried not to act interested, but I didn’t fool him.”
