Page 64 of A Love So Sweet
They headed inside, and Savannah called out to them from the kitchen, “Hey, I made you guys lunch.”
They kicked off their work boots, and Dane intercepted them in the hall.
“You made it,” Treat said, embracing his brother. He’d spent much of the night thinking through how he was going to tell Dane what he’d told his other siblings. He was sure that Dane had already heard it at least three times from them by now, but no matter how uncomfortable it made him, Treat was going to do it himself, in person, man to man. And what better time than the present?
“It was a painfully long flight with one delay after another,” Dane said. “But we tagged some nice sharks while we were down under.”
“Sorry about the flight, but that’s good news for your research, and I’m glad you’re here. Come with me for a sec.” He led the way outside, and they settled into chairs facing the fields.
“I hear you’re staying for a while,” Dane said.
“Yeah. It’s time.”
“What about your businesses?”
“Nothing’s going to change except the amount of travel I’m doing and the way I acquire new properties.” He looked at his brother relaxing in the chair beside him. His skin was tanned and his eyes were bright. Treat had never really thought about his age before, but after his father’s medical trouble, it was on his mind. How had the years passed so quickly? One day they’d be gathering like this for their father’s funeral, and it would most likely be in far fewer years than they’d all like to imagine. That large dose of reality came with another. Treat definitely wanted a family. He’d love to see his father spending time with his grandchildren.
“We met Max. Did she tell you?” Dane asked.
“Yeah.” Treat smiled. Only a few more hours and she’d be in his arms again.
“She’s really cute. Seems smart, a little shy maybe? But I can see why you like her.”
Treat’s body went rigid.She’s mine.He gave Dane aback offstare.
“Dude, youreallylike her, don’t you?” Dane asked.
“I love her, Dane,” he admitted.
Dane nodded. “I’ve never heard those words come out of your mouth before.”
“I’ve never felt them before.” The truth tasted almost as sweet as Max’s kisses. “Listen, Dane—”
“Before you tell me, can I just say something I’ve been wanting to say for a long time?”
“Sure.” Treat braced himself for heaven only knew what.
“It’s about Mary Jane.”
Treat narrowed his eyes.
“Right, well…” Dane took a deep breath. “The truth is, I wasn’t as hammered as I told you I was that night. I knew what I was doing.”
“Why on earth are you telling me this now?” He couldn’t stop his hands from flexing.
“Because the others told me what you said last night, and you need to know. I slept with her to feel like I was at least as good as you, Treat.” Dane shifted his eyes away. “Do you have any idea what it was like growing up in your gigantic shadow?”
“My shadow isn’t that big, Dane.”
“You have no idea. Anyway, it didn’t work. I felt even smaller afterward than I had before, and I know that has always undermined our relationship.” He looked at Treat. “I’m sorry, bro. I’ve regretted it ever since.”
Treat had never expected to hear anything even remotely close to what Dane had admitted, and because of that, he was at a loss for words.
“I know that you worry about me and, well, any woman you’re interested in. You don’t have to. I’m not that stupid kid anymore. I’d never do something as low or as demeaning as that to you or to myself. Or to another woman. Mary Jane was a pawn to me, and I’m sorry for you and her.”
“She wasn’t a pawn to me.” Treat’s chest tightened at the memory. He hadn’t been in love with Mary Jane, or at least not like he was with Max. But she’d been special to him.
Dane looked down. “I know, and I’m sorry. I apologized to her shortly after it happened.”
